Football Australia confirms clubs in Request for Proposal phase of the National Second Tier

Staff Writer
Images credit: Football NSW & Football Australia

Football Australia has formally announced 26 clubs that have successfully proceeded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the National Second Tier (NST) competition.

After careful consideration, these clubs have met the specific criteria from the initial Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) phase.

The EOI phase saw a total of 32 clubs from across Australia express their desire for the NST competition.

During the next stage in RFP, there will be a distribution of comprehensive Bid Documents to the shortlisted clubs, including an information memorandum, NST related data, financial forecasts, key terms of a Club Participation Agreement, and draft transaction documents.

This phase will be conducted confidentially, running from May to July 2023. It will be followed by an assessment and recommendation phase (July to August 2023) and is anticipated to be completed by September to October 2023.

The NST competition is part of Football Australia’s 15-year strategy for the sport, which is aimed at realigning Australian football competitions.

The full list of 26 shortlisted clubs for the RFP phase are broken down into each state, as per the following:

State / Territory (in alphabetical order) Club (in alphabetical order)
Australian Capital Territory
  1. Canberra Croatia FC
  2. Gungahlin United FC
NSW
  1. APIA Leichhardt FC
  2. Fraser Park FC
  3. Marconi Stallions FC
  4. Rockdale Ilinden FC
  5. Sydney Olympic FC
  6. Sydney United 58 FC
  7. Sutherland Sharks FC / Cronulla Sharks
  8. Wollongong Wolves FC
Queensland

 
  1. Brisbane City FC
  2. Brisbane United FC (Wynnum Wolves FC, Brisbane Strikers FC, Virginia United FC)
  3. Gold Coast Knights F.C.
  4. Gold Coast United FC
  5. Olympic FC
  6. Sunshine Coast FC
South Australia
  1. Adelaide City FC
  2. Football South Australia
Tasmania
  1. South Hobart FC
Victoria
  1. Avondale FC
  2. Brunswick Juventus FC
  3. Green Gully SC
  4. Heidelberg United FC
  5. Melbourne Knights FC
  6. Preston Lions FC
  7. South Melbourne FC

These clubs have been notified by Football Australia about their successful progression to the RFP phase.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson spoke about the significance of moving towards the next stage.

“We are delighted to announce the 26 shortlisted clubs for the National Second Tier competition, reflecting the passion and dedication that these clubs have shown in their pursuit of elevating Australian football.” he said.

“This significant milestone brings us one step closer to realising our 15-year vision for the sport, and we eagerly anticipate working hand-in-hand with these clubs to establish a thriving and sustainable National Second Tier competition.

“Together, we will shape the future landscape of football in Australia, offering new opportunities for growth and development while reconnecting and realigning our nation’s football competitions.”

The NST is predicted to begin in March 2024, containing 10-16 teams with a home and away league structure and finals, featuring 24 to 36 games. It is also mooted a group-based Champions League model could be implemented.

For more information about the NST application process, you can find it here.

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Melbourne Victory teams up with Superdry

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory has confirmed a new alliance with Superdry, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration between the two brands.

As part of the deal, Superdry came on board as the official off-field clothing partner for the club’s friendly match against Wrexham AFC at Marvel Stadium on July 11th, fans at the game were able to enjoy some great giveaways from the brand.

Superdry is a modern, fashion-forward brand celebrated for blending vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with a distinctive British twist.

Their use of high-quality fabrics, unique washes, intricate hand-drawn artwork, and expertly tailored fits truly sets them apart from the crowd.

This one-of-a-kind style has earned Superdry worldwide popularity and a dedicated, ever-growing celebrity following.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director Caroline Carnegie said the club was thrilled to team up with such a high-quality brand for an event that promised to be a memorable experience for all football fans.

“Our partnership with Superdry for this event is a great opportunity for us to work with a quality brand that is well aligned with our fans and values as a Club,” Carnegie said in a press release.

“I look forward to seeing the team arriving for our match against Wrexham AFC kitted out in the latest range at Marvel Stadium this week.”

To celebrate the collaboration, fans will have the chance to win a 2025/26 membership pack and a $1,000 Superdry voucher, plus the unique opportunity to shop at a Melbourne Superdry store alongside their favourite Victory player – fans should keep an eye on Victory’s social media for all the competition details.

Alastair Davies, General Manager of Licensed Brands at Superdry, said the brand is excited to support Melbourne Victory and connect its British roots with Australia’s sporting culture.

“Superdry is proud to dress Melbourne Victory as they face off against Wrexham AFC,”  Davies said press release.

“As a brand born in the UK, it’s rewarding to see our British heritage connect with Australia’s sporting culture on a global stage.”

This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both Melbourne Victory and Superdry, bringing style and sport closer than ever.

Wellington Phoenix unveil Dynasty Sport as new apparel provider

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Image credit: Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix have confirmed a new partnership with Dynasty Sport, who will become the club’s official apparel provider from the 2025/26 A-Leagues season onwards.

Under the agreement, Dynasty will design and produce apparel for the Phoenix men’s and women’s teams, as well as kit out the club’s eight academy sides from early 2025.

The New Zealand-based brand, launched in 2018, is renowned for supplying high-quality, ethically and sustainably produced sportswear to professional and grassroots organisations across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Dynasty Sport is a leading provider of premium custom sportwear, built on decades of top-tier experience in the global sports industry. With their deep passion for sport, they proudly supply high-performance on and off-field apparel to professional clubs, schools, grassroots teams, athletes, and businesses across New Zealand, Australia, and around the world.

The men’s new home kit for the upcoming A-League Men season has already been completed and will be unveiled on Thursday, 10 July, three months earlier than usual, to coincide with the highly anticipated friendly against Wrexham AFC. Fans can also look forward to two alternate away kits, ensuring the Phoenix can proudly wear their traditional home colours when they play in Wellington or Christchurch.

The women’s home kit and two alternate away strips are set to be revealed in September, ahead of the A-League Women campaign. In addition, Dynasty will release a lifestyle range for Phoenix supporters later this year, providing a wider selection of merchandise for fans.

This deal sees Wellington Phoenix join a growing list of clubs and organisations working with Dynasty Sport, whose focus on sustainable manufacturing and innovative designs aligns with the Phoenix’s values on and off the pitch.

Phoenix general manager David Dome spoke positively about the new agreement.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Dynasty Sport as our new apparel partner,” Dome said via club statement.

“Not only does their apparel look amazing and feel great to wear, but they have blown us away by how much they’re committed to helping the Phoenix succeed.

“We’re excited to work with Tyler and the Dynasty team over the next three years, creating designs and a range that truly resonate with our fans and reflect the spirit of our club.”

Dynasty Sport co-founder and director Tyler Rakich spoke about the importance of the company extending to the professional football space.

“This marks another significant step in our expansion into the pro football space,” Rakich said in a press release.

“We’re very excited to launch the new custom range for players, staff and fans, from the elite level performance kit to the fan apparel and fresh new lifestyle range.

“We are confident there is something for every fan regardless of colour preference and style and we are excited to launch the full range in September this year!”

The deal provides Wellington Phoenix with a modern, sustainable apparel solution while strengthening their commercial footprint and giving fans exciting new ways to show their support.

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