Football Coaches Australia presents ‘The Football Coaching Life Podcast’ S2 Ep 5 with Gary Cole interviewing Catherine Cannuli

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Football Life Podcast Cannuli

Catherine Cannuli has recently been appointed as Head Coach of the W-League team at Western Sydney Wanderers after spending a number of years as Assistant Coach after she finished up her playing career at the Club.

Cath had a terrific playing career as a junior and senior player, becoming a 15-year-old first-team player at Marconi before also playing W-League football with Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar, as well as receiving four caps for the Matildas.

Her coaching career began at Southern Districts with the Raiders before quickly adding the U14’s and eventually the Technical Director role. Catherine is open in discussing how great the Association have been in helping her grow and develop as a coach and in allowing her to juggle her coaching role at WSW whilst learning to understand the demands of full-time coaching.

We discuss the impact that Alen Stajcic has had on her career as both a player and a coach as well as how he helped her ‘fall back in love with the game’ after she walked away from the game and the national junior teams.

In her role as TD with Southern Districts she is focused on helping players love the game first as well as trying to fit in more games and training sessions to provide more learning opportunities for players and coaches.

It becomes very evident that Catherine wants to leave a legacy for the W-League program at Wanderers where all players, coaches and staff are full-time.

Please join me in sharing Catherine Cannuli’s Football Coaching Life.

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NSW Government Invests for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

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Image Credit: Football Australia

The New South Wales Government has committed substantial funding to ensure Sydney takes centre stage in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.

The investment confirmed in this week’s state budget announcement representing a major boost for women’s football in Australia.

The funding package forms part of the state government’s broader strategy to position NSW as a leader in women’s sport and major event hosting with the investment being welcomed by Football Australia and the tournament’s Local Organising Committee.

Western Sydney Stadium will host six group stage fixtures, capitalising on the region’s reputation as one of Australia’s passionate footballing and culturally diverse communities.

The venue selection reflects the tournament organisers’ commitment to engaging with grassroots football supporters across Greater Sydney. Accor stadium will also stage two quarterfinals, a semi-final and the tournament decider, cementing Sydney’s status as the competition’s epicentre.

Beyond match hosting, the government investment will fund comprehensive event promotion and fan engagement initiatives across Greater Sydney.

Tournament organisers project that approximately 62 per cent of all competition tickets will be sold within NSW.

The target is creating significant opportunities to showcase Sydney to visiting supporters from across Asia and local supporters.

The funding represents additional support beyond the existing NSW Football Legacy Program and demonstrates the state government’s commitment to football development.

Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Heather Garriock praised the government’s backing.

“We thank the Minister Steve Kamper and the NSW Government for this significant investment in the future of women’s football. It’s a bold commitment that recognises the power of sport to inspire and unite. This funding ensures Sydney is front and centre of the tournament experience — from Western Sydney to the world stage,” Garriock commented via official Football Australia press release.

Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Local Organising Committee, highlighted the significance of hosting the majority of ticket sales within NSW.

“With over half the tournament’s ticket sales expected here, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to connect with our community, celebrate our cultural diversity, and deliver an unforgettable event. Hosting the Matildas at Stadium Australia on International Women’s Day will be a defining moment in Australian sporting history, and we look forward to bringing that to life,” Walsh mentioned via official Football Australia press release.

“Football Australia and the LOC continue to work in close partnership with government, commercial partners and stakeholders to ensure the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ leaves a lasting legacy for the game, for women, and for the nation.”

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 represents a crucial opportunity for Australian women’s football to build on the Matildas’ recent World Cup success and the fever after.

The tournament serving as both a competitive pinnacle and a platform for continued growth in the women’s game across the region.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles Secure $1 Million Funding Boost for Facility Upgrades

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Image credit: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC

Bonnyrigg Sports Club, the proud home of the Bonnyrigg White Eagles Football Club, has been awarded a substantial $1 million grant through the NSW Government’s Sports Project Support Programme.

This will deliver a much-needed infrastructure improvements to support the club’s growing female participation rates.

The significant funding injection will enable the construction of dedicated female home and away changing rooms, alongside comprehensive upgrades to the club’s lighting infrastructure.

These improvements are designed to create a safer, more inclusive training and competition environment for all players.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting grassroots football development across the state.

“We have seen a surge in female football participation in recent years, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring facilities at both grassroots and professional levels keep pace,” he said via press release.

“These upgrades at Bonnyrigg Sports Club will provide the infrastructure and support to help local female players realise their full potential.”

The funding announcement was formally made at Bonnyrigg Sports Club, with Minister Kamper joined by a delegation of local MPs including Charishma Kaliyanda (Liverpool), David Saliba (Fairfield), Tri Vo (Cabramatta), Nathan Hagarty (Leppington), and Liverpool City Councillor Mira Ibrahim.

Club representatives were well represented at the presentation, with Bonnyrigg White Eagles President George Vrankovic and board members attending alongside Bonnyrigg Sports Club President Cedomir Jesic, Pokret Foundation Director Nena Borak, and Political Liaison Officer Milomir (Michael) Andjekovic.

The club’s Political Liaison Officer Michael Andjekovic expressed gratitude for the successful grant application, acknowledging the extensive work undertaken by the club’s leadership.

“We are very appreciative to the Office of Sport for approving our application for the grant under the Sports Project Support Programme,” he said via press release.

“President George Vrankovic and the board members dedicated significant time and effort into the submissions for this government grant.”

For such a storied club in NSW to receive this funding is important and will have a huge impact on supporting the clubs push for developing its women’s game.

The facility upgrades are a small part in the larger picture of the NSW governments significant investment in the future of women’s football at the grassroots level.

This is an important development in addressing the growing demand for quality infrastructure as female participation continues to expand across NSW.

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