Football Queensland appoint former Matilda Amy Chapman

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Image via Kidspot

Football Queensland has ticked yet another box as it continues to make good on its promises.

Their Strategic Plan has been adhered to thus far and they continue to go from strength to strength.

Last week, they announced that former Matilda Amy Chapman would be joining the Board of Directors, as well as a future role as Chair of the Women’s Advisory Council.

FQ’s full statement can be found here:

Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Chapman to the FQ Board of Directors.

A former Matilda and Westfield W-League player, Chapman brings a wealth of experience in the football landscape as a player, commentator and analyst for Optus Sport, Fox Sports and Channel 9.

As a Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) delegate, Chapman led negotiations for the W-League Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and initiated the first ever PFA corporate partnership designed to assist players in transitioning to life after football.

With a passion for growing football in Australia and giving back to the game, Chapman also boasts an understanding of the need to strengthen pathways in regional areas having grown up playing football in a regional town.

In addition to her appointment to the FQ Board of Directors, Chapman will bring her vast experience to the role of Chair of the Women’s Advisory Council, to be established by FQ in the coming weeks.

Supporting the implementation of the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan for football in Queensland, FQ’s Women’s Advisory Council will work to grow and strengthen the women’s game across the state.

*ENDS*

Chapman, 33, is a long-time servant of the game in Australia, especially in Queensland. She signed with Brisbane Roar’s W-League side in 2010 and clearly, with FQ appointing her in this position, she has rubbed people off the right way over the last 10 years.

As mentioned in the press release, Chapman has also worked in the media with Channel 9, Optus Sport and Fox Sports, showcasing her in-depth knowledge of the game.

Bringing Chapman onto the Board of Directors seems, on paper, to be a fantastic move. She has a lot of experience on the field and she can use that to help FQ gain more understanding as to what the players desire most. Players can only do so much on and off the field with little to no decision making ability.

Her inclusion onto the Board, once again as mentioned above, will lead into her role as the Chair of the Women’s Advisory Council that has the ability to shape things up off the field.

Football Queensland only recently committed to growing the women’s game on the Sunshine Coast. Now, with the establishment of the Advisory Council in the next few weeks to go with Chapman’s arrival at FQ, the Sunshine State now seems to be setting the standard off the field for representation.

The introduction of this role could potentially lead other states into following suit, which, in theory, could potentially change the women’s game in Australia.

Assuming the Advisory Council would be made up of women and with the purpose of growing the game for both aspiring juniors and current professionals, it would be a project everyone would be on board with.

It’s fair to say that giving young girls all the support and funding they need is one of the most important areas that Australian soccer needs to address. Currently, we’re going well both on home soil and overseas.

But if you don’t plan for the future, then you pay the price down the track. Planning for the future is the overarching purpose of any Strategic Plan and FQ seem to have the right idea on how to approach this significant issue.

In this everchanging world we live in, everyone deserves a chance to do what they have always wanted to. This Advisory Council, when officially formed, will have the ability to fulfill the hopes and dreams of many young girls in Queensland.

We here at Soccerscene once again praise Football Queensland and their commitment to fulfilling their Strategic Plan. It’s great to see them with so much passion for changing the game for the better off the field.

What are your thoughts on Chapman’s arrival at FQ? Get involved in the conversation on Twitter @Soccersceneau

 

 

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Caelum Ferrarese is a Senior journalist with Soccerscene. He reports widely on micro policy within Australasia and industry disruptions at grassroots level.

Friedkin Group to acquire majority stake in Everton

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Image credit: Everton FC Instagram

The Friedkin Group has reached an agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority 94% stake in Everton. The deal is subject to regulatory approval from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.

It is believed to be worth in excess of $770 million, leaving Moshiri with little return on his substantial investment.

The US-based group is led by chairman Dan Friedkin, who also owns Roma. He has a net worth of $11bn AUD according to Forbes thanks to The Friedkin Group, which was founded by his father, Thomas H. Friedkin.

Everton would become the 10th club in the Premier League under majority American ownership, joining the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.

The deal would bring to a conclusion the damaging Moshiri reign. The British-Iranian businessman has invested more than $1445 million in the club since 2016, but many supporters have been deeply unhappy about his ownership because of its failure to hit successful transfers and its enormous debt which lead to points deductions in 2023/24.

Last season they were deducted points twice, amounting to a total of eight after an appeals process, for breaching Premier League financial rules on the level of losses clubs are allowed to make.

Everton, who have not played outside the top flight during the Premier League era, had been toying with relegation under Frank Lampard and current manager Sean Dyche, finishing in the bottom half. They started the season on only one win after six and it suggests they will spend a fourth season near the drop zone.

The Friedkin Group had agreed a deal in principle to purchase current owner Moshiri’s 94% stake in June but talks were called off a month later after the two parties failed to finalise an agreement.

That followed Miami-based 777 Partners being unable to a complete a deal earlier this year which Everton is probably fortunate to hear considering the toxicity around how they have run Standard Liege and Hertha BSC into a tough position.

In June, it was said that Friedkin hinted that he wanted Roma and Everton to sit at the top of a multi-club model, something that The Friedkin Group has yet to experiment.

Everton’s appeal to the Friedkin Group was said to be based on the club’s history, fanbase and the new stadium being built on Bramley-Moore Dock which will be used from the start of the 2025/26 season onwards.

The group in a statement said they remain fully committed to Roma and has no concerns regarding the two clubs co-existing under UEFA rules.

The Friedkin Group assumed control of Italian side Roma in 2020 and guided the club to Europa Conference League success under Jose Mourinho in 2022.

However, this success was short lived, sacking Mourinho only 10 months later before Daniele De Rossi’s short reign has the club in an awkward position in the Serie A.

After some shaky managerial appointments and sackings for AS Roma, Sean Dyche’s future also looks to be in a perilous position if he fails to turn the results around before the new year.

The Friedkin Group released a statement regarding the takeover agreement and their plans to stabilise the club.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to become custodians of this iconic football club. We are focused on securing the necessary approvals to complete the transaction,” a spokesperson for the Friedkin Group said in a statement last week.

“We look forward to providing stability to the club and sharing our vision for its future, including the completion of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.”

Overall, this is fantastic news for Everton and its fanbase who were long overdue some clarity around the dark situation of their ownership.

The Friedkin Group are willing to overlook the huge stadium debt and inconsistent league results in an attempt to bring one of England’s oldest clubs back to its former glory which saw them win 9 Division One titles and 3 FA Cups.

The group will lead Everton through its new era, right before they permanently leave Goodison Park and enter the 53,000 capacity Bramley-Moore Dock which should increase the club’s revenue and bring a fresh feel to the club.

Melbourne Victory secures new sponsorship deal with Ferraro Dairy

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory Facebook page

Melbourne Victory Football Club has confirmed a new collaboration with Ferraro Dairy. Under the terms of the agreement, Ferraro Dairy’s brand will be prominently displayed on the back of the shorts for both the A-League Men’s team and Academy teams for the next two seasons.

Ferraro Dairy is an Australian family-owned dairy for 50 years, based in Tullamarine. They pride themselves on high-standard dairy products from Australian produce.

The two-season partnership represents a strategic move for both organisations, combining the prestige of one of Australia’s premier football clubs with a respected name in the dairy industry. By extending the branding to both senior and academy levels, the partnership shows a comprehensive approach to team sponsorship.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the alignment between the two organisations.

“We’re incredibly pleased to have Ferraro Dairy on our Men’s kit for the next two seasons and excited to have them along for our journey,” she said via press release.

“Ferraro Dairy is a proud local business that strives for a common goal in driving high standards and delivering a premium product for its loyal clientele.

“We’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with Ferraro Dairy as we head into our 20th season as a Club.”

Ferraro Dairy General Manager, Brad Ferraro echoed the sentiment of excitement about the new partnership.

“It’s an honour to partner with a Club like Melbourne Victory in its historic 20th season and we’re proud to be featured on its iconic kit, we’re excited to be part of their journey and share in the success both on and off the field over the next two years,” Ferraro said via press release.

As Melbourne Victory continues to strengthen its commercial portfolio its partnership with an Australian-based family business, with Ferraro Dairy further solidifies its position as a supporter of local businesses.

This commitment suggests a strong foundation for what both parties hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship.

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