Football Queensland encourages clubs to build on World Cup hype

Women's World Cup

Football Queensland is running a bold ‘100 Programs’ initiative in conjunction with the Be23Ready campaign to encourage women and girls to get involved in the game, leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Be2Ready is an ongoing campaign that anticipates the participation boom that the tournament will create, allowing clubs to be prepared for an influx of people looking to join a team.

It’s not only welcoming newcomers, but retaining talent who can enjoy the sport for what it is.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci said via press release:

“FQ’s aim is to deliver 100 women and girls’ programs and initiatives to coincide with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 ‘100 Days to Go milestone’,” he stated.

“100 Programs is an ambitious target and showcases Football Queensland’s commitment to reaching the national 50/50 gender parity target by 2027, providing opportunities for our growing women and girl participation base to develop their playing, coaching and refereeing abilities.” 

Football Queensland Senior Manager – Game Development, Kate Lawson, added that she is excited to see the appointed community Be23Ready Women and Girls Ambassadors in action as they look to be key drivers of club’s programs and courses. 

“Participating clubs can contribute any female-focused activation to the 100 Programs such as, come and try days, social events, Girls United introductory programs, or female-only coaching and referee courses within their community to not only create opportunities for female participation but build the excitement for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” Lawson said via press release. 

“The Be23Ready campaign was implemented to equip Queensland clubs with the tools to build more welcoming and inclusive environments for female participants; the 100 Programs initiative is a great opportunity for clubs to showcase this by finding ways to broaden their product offering to accommodate new and returning women and girls to the game.” 

Clubs are encouraged to join Football Queensland in sharing their photos from successful programs and activations on social media using the hashtags #Be23Ready and #100Programs.  

All participating clubs hosting any come and try days, carnivals or similar activations should submit their club and event information via the Football Queensland Sanction Request Form. 

Any club that completes all three actions of posting event photos with the relevant hashtags, filling out the sanction request form (if required) and completing the post event 100 Women and Girls Initatives Reporting and Feedback Form, will go into the draw to win a 2018 signed Matildas jersey.  

Previous ArticleNext Article

Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend