Football Queensland appoint Jacqui Hurford as State Referee Manager

Liam Watson

Football Queensland (FQ) have announced the appointment of Jacqui Hurford as the new State Referee Manager.

As part of the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan for football in Queensland, the appointment of Hurford as State Referee Manager is one of the key initiatives already into affect along with others that are set to be launched in the coming months concentrating on improving recruitment, retention and support for referees in the state.

FQ’s General Manager of Operations Murray Bird spoke about how Hurford’s appointment will help shape the future of refereeing, by building on the number of quality referees and coaches across the state.

“I am delighted to welcome Jacqui to the Football Queensland team; she will bring a wealth of knowledge as a former international FIFA referee, and from her current roles as instructor/assessor for FFA and AFC and Westfield W-League Referee Coach,” Bird said.

“Jacqui’s appointment aligns with a focus on bettering the experience for all involved in the game as outlined in FQ’s strategic plan, and will see her take on a community-focused leadership role.

“We intend to double the number of registered referees by 2022, which will require ongoing consultation and collaboration with regional referee coordinators to ensure we recruit and retain officials to serve and enhance the game.

“We also want to increase the number of women and girls officiating across the state, and Jacqui is a great example for women and girls getting into the game.”

Hurford spoke about the role she will play with the challenges and opportunities she’ll take out of it.

“Football Queensland’s commitment to significant reform in the referee space was something that attracted me to this role,” she said.

“There is a shortage of match officials across the state and I understand that addressing this and driving participation and retention of referees will be a key focus of the position.

“FQ will be employing referee coaches for the NPL/FQPL/NPLW in the coming weeks. My role will entail working closely with those appointments to improve officiating standards in the state’s premier leagues.

“I will also be working hard on bridging the gap between the referee community and FQ’s member clubs and zones.

“We all need to work together and referees are an important piece in unifying the game to ensure that Queensland remains a leader in officiating both nationally and internationally.”

Hurford will officially take her position from Thursday the 9th of January 2020.

Source: https://footballqueensland.com.au/2019/11/29/football-queensland-state-referee-manager-appointed/ 

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Juventus FC confirms 2025/26 Jeep & Visit Detroit shirt deal

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Image Credit: Juventus FC website

Juventus FC has unveiled a landmark dual front-of-shirt sponsorship deal for the 2025/2026 season, with both jeep and Visit Detroit set to appear a co-branded collaborators across the club’s men’s, women’s, and Next Gen sides. The announcement marks a first for Serie A and European football, as a destination marketing organisation (DMO) joins a top-tier club’s shirt sponsorship.

The agreement builds on Jeep’s long-standing connection with Juventus, dating back to 2012, while welcoming Visit Detroit — the world’s first convention and visitors bureau — in a bold move to merge global tourism promotion with elite football.

Shared Shirt Real Estate, Expanded Global Reach

Under the agreement:

  • Jeep and Visit Detroit will co-feature on the front of Juventus’ domestic kits
  • Jeep retains sole front-of-shirt rights for international fixtures

The co-branding strategy reflects a broader shift in club commercial models, as Juventus looks to diversify revenue streams, grow its global footprint, and strengthen ties to the North American market.

Breaking New Ground in Tourism & Sport

While tourism boards have collaborated with clubs before, this is the first time a CVB has secured front-of-shirt branding at this level — signalling the rise of cross-industry partnerships blending travel, sport, and city branding.

The deal also aligns with Juventus’ push to build deeper connections in the U.S., where Serie A’s popularity continues to climb.

A Shared Focus on Innovation and Reach

All three parties — Juventus, Jeep, and Visit Detroit — say the collaboration is grounded in shared values: innovation, community, and global ambition. Jeep brings legacy and loyalty, while Visit Detroit represents a fresh, lifestyle-led approach to brand engagement.

Both brands will benefit from:

  • Widespread global exposure across multiple teams
  • Integrated marketing and activation opportunities
  • Hospitality and fan engagement initiatives in Italy and abroad

A Sign of Things to Come

Juventus’ new sponsorship model reflects broader commercial trends in football: dual-brand kits, destination marketing, and increased U.S. market integration. The agreement could set the stage for similar deals, especially among clubs seeking to balance heritage brands with emerging categories like tourism and experiential branding.

‘Football For Good’ partnership launched by PFA and Juan Mata’s ‘Common Goal’

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'Football For Good' partnership launched by PFA and Juan Mata's 'Common Goal'
Credit: Professional Footballers Australia (PFA)

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has announced a partnership with Juan Mata’s ‘Common Goal’, which aims grow and support the ‘Football For Good’ community in Australia.

This collaboration is the first of its kind between Common Goal and a players’ association, and it aims to tap into football’s potential to create real social impact—both in Australia and around the world.

The partnership was officially launched at a media event in Sydney on last Tuesday afternoon.

As part of the agreement, PFA and Common Goal will work together to:

  • Raise awareness about the Football For Good community among socially conscious and community-focused Australian footballers;
  • Host ‘Football For Good’ events and fundraising campaigns; and
  • Use the PFA’s Footballers’ Trust to help identify and support community projects that players can contribute to.

Australian footballers will also be encouraged to get involved by pledging 1% of their football earnings to Common Goal, or by donating any amount to causes they care deeply about.

All contributions will go toward supporting PFA-accredited grassroots and community-led organisations that use football to create positive social change.

These include:

  • Australian Blind Football
  • Football Empowerment
  • Football Futures
  • Football United (Creating Chances)
  • Heartbeat of Football
  • John Moriarty Football
  • One Ball
  • PlayrProject
  • Pride Cup
  • Reflect Forward
  • Transplant Australia Football Club

 

Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Juan Mata, who co-founded Common Goal in 2017, was on hand to help launch the partnership and share the message of using football as a force for good.

“Australia has a passionate football culture and has an incredible opportunity to lead with purpose,” Mata said in a press release

“Through this partnership with the PFA, we want to inspire Australian players to see how they can use their platform to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.”

Common Goal Advisory Co-Chair and founder of Football United, Anne Bunde-Birouste highlighted the importance of the partnership.

“Professional player engagement is paramount to supporting our work with children and young people for the inspiration they bring,” Bunde-Birouste said in a press release.

“This world-first collaboration will greatly enable Australian players to get involved with football for good organisations, helping us help our communities through the magic of football.”

A growing number of Australian footballers have already joined Common Goal, including Alex Brosque, Caitlin Foord, Aivi Luik, Angela Beard, Winonah Heatley, Izzy Dalton, Libby Copus-Brown, and Alex Chidiac.

Here in Australia, the initiative is backed by the PFA’s Footballers’ Trust, which gives players a way to donate a portion of their football earnings to causes they care about.

Since launching in 2019, the Trust has helped direct $500,000 in player contributions to 24 different charities, human rights groups, inclusion initiatives, and football-based programs both locally and overseas.

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