Football Australia’s broadcast agreement with KommunityTV to stream National Youth Championships

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Image credit: Football Australia

Football Australia confirmed that a broadcast arrangement with KommunityTV has been secured to stream every game of the 2024 National Youth Championships.

The tournament is set to take place in July with the Girls competition held at the Home of The Matildas in Bundoora, VIC from the 3-8 July and the Boys competition held at WIN Stadium, JJ Kelly Park and Ian McLennan Park in Wollongong, NSW from 16-21 July.

In addition to all matches being streamed live, News Corp will provide the 2024 National Youth Championships with editorial coverage across the tournament, telling the rich stories of those involved in both the Girls and Boys’ Tournaments.

The National Youth Championships are a vital annual event for Football Australia as it embeds the federations talent identification scheme and gives talented youngsters all across the country a chance to perform against each other across six days.

Many of today’s Matildas and Socceroos trace their beginnings to this tournament and it serves as an important stepping-stone for the youth players.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson spoke on the importance of the broadcast partner for the event

“We are pleased to have renewed our partnership with KommunityTV which will showcase our best emerging young players along with coaches and officials to audiences across Australia who may not be able to attend this year’s Championships,” he said in a statement.

“The National Youth Championships are the flagship youth event in the Australian football calendar, with teams from our nine state and territory member federations competing not only to claim the coveted national title, but to impress attending national team technical staff for future honours.

“This arrangement is an exciting addition to this year’s event, and we look forward to working with the team at KommunityTV to further elevate these prestigious Championships and take the girls and boys tournaments to screens across the nation.”

News Sport Network General Manager of Product and Partnerships, Sachin Kumar, explained including every match of the 2024 National Youth Championships would take the KommunityTV coverage to the next level.

“It is exciting to renew our partnership with Football Australia to showcase the best emerging junior talent from across the country,” Kumar added via media release.

“The National Youth Championships has a track record of producing players that go on to play at the highest levels of football, right around the world.

“With the CommBank Matildas preparing to play for gold in Paris and the Subway Socceroos progressing to the next phase of World Cup qualifying, the excitement around our national teams is palpable.

“We are excited to provide football fans a chance to see the next generation shine on a big stage.”

After recent success in major tournaments for both The Matildas and Socceroos, it is good to see the next generation of potential national team prospects get elite broadcast and news coverage as well as providing fans a chance to seamlessly view the crucial youth tournament.

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The only road to the national stage: FQ Academy Inter-Conference Carnival 2026

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Image Credit: Brook Desbois

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed Mackay Football Park as the host venue for the 2026 FQ Academy Inter-Conference Carnival, scheduled for the 14th to 17th of April.

Backed by the Mackay Regional Council, the event unites FQ’s five Regional Academies across the Northern and Central Conferences. This expanded four-day schedule marks a significant shift in regional programming. It allows for a greater volume of match play and enhances talent identification windows for technical staff.

Strengthening the Regional Pathway

The Carnival serves as a critical junction in the state-wide pathway. FQ Technical Director and Player Development, Tom Laxton, emphasized the event’s role in exposing players to new competitive environments.

“The Inter-Conference Carnival remains a key foundational element of the regional FQ Academy pathway,” Laxton said. “Expanding the Carnival in 2026 to four days reinforces our commitment to delivering more meaningful opportunities.”

Importantly, the FQ Academy stands as the only pathway in Queensland recognized by Football Australia for national selection. This event ensures equity amongst regional talent whom often fly under the radar of high-performance scouts. The extended format also benefits referees and coaches, providing a longer window for development and assessment.

Economic and Regional Impact

The partnership with Mackay Regional Council highlights the economic value of youth football tourism. Mayor Williamson noted the expanded timeline benefits the local visitor economy.

“By expanding the carnival to four days, it gives visitors a much better opportunity to explore what our region has to offer,” Williamson said.

The event draws players, support staff, and families from across the northern half of the state. It positions Mackay Football Park as a central hub for elite youth development in Queensland.

Registration and scheduling details regarding the 2026 FQ Academy Inter-Conference Carnival will be released here as they emerge.

Westside Strikers FC’s reveal glimpse into new Recreation Reserve

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Westside Strikers FC / Facebook

The club, based in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, updated fans with a sneak-peek into the newly revamped Taylor’s Hill Recreation Reserve.

 

Embracing development 

The prospect of new and improved facilities at Taylor’s Hill Recreation Reserve is one which should excite fans and players alike.

Taylor’s Hill Recreation Reserve. Image credit: Westside Strikers FC / Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Turf installation has now been completed on Pitch 1 and our home ground is looking incredible,” the club said via social media announcement on Thursday. 

“With only the grandstand due to be completed in the coming months, almost 5 months of hard work has led to this transformation.” 

With the backing of the City of Melton, the improvements made to the facilities are proving to be thorough and extensive. The club revealed just over a month ago that  lighting upgrades and installations, irrigation and drainage systems for all pitches, ground fencing and coaches boxes had all been completed. 

Furthermore, by giving supporters insight into the progress being made at the club, it will no doubt help to stir up even more excitement and anticipation for when the project is completed in the coming months.

Facilities which align with ambitions

While they proudly remain a community-focused club, Westside Strikers FC is no stranger to rapid growth and expansion.

Initially established in 2014 for talented junior footballers, the club has evolved into one of the largest community football clubs in Melbourne’s West. In just over 10 years of operating, they have expanded into a network of over 600 players across the Men’s, Women’s, Miniroos and Metropolitan teams.

Therefore, as a club aiming to grow and support the careers of local talents from junior to senior level, it is only right that their facilities are built to accomodate such ambitions. By providing their players with high-quality pitches and updated facilities off the pitch, Westside Strikers FC can continue pursuing and nurturing excellence on it.

Furthermore, the developments reflect Westside Strikers’ genuine commitment to giving back to those who make the club special: the fans. By constructing a new grandstand for spectators, Westside Strikers FC is ensuring that everyone in the community is made to feel included in the club’s ambitions going forward.

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