Football Tasmania launches Coaching for Women Scholarship program

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Football Tasmania has announced the launch of their Coaching for Women Scholarship program, an initiative which reaffirms the state’s recent focus on female participation within the sport. The program is an important step towards growing participation across all areas of the game for women and girls.

The Scholarship aims to address the lack of female representation within the state and wider country’s coaching ranks, with women from clubs and associations with states encouraged to reach out and apply.

At least five female coaches will be provided with Scholarships and the subsequent opportunity to complete the Football Australia ‘C’ Licence course. This will consist of at least one participant from each region – North West, Northern Tasmania and Southern Tasmania.

Each Scholarship includes a $1,200 contribution towards the course fee for the FA ‘C’ Licence course. Additionally, successful applications will have their attendance to the 2021/22 coaches conference included in the Scholarship.

Going forward, coaches will receive continuous support from Football Tasmania’s Coach Development Manager, David Smith, and Female Development Officer, Debra Banks. The successful Applicants will be required to complete the Scholarship within 18 months and attend the 2021/22 Football Tasmania State Coaching Conference.

Furthermore, an opportunity will be potentially offered to participants of the Scholarship program to travel interstate as an assistant coach at the Girls National Youth Championship in 2022.

Plans to increase participation across all areas of football are what is driving the initiative behind Football Tasmania’s Women’s Scholarship program.

The state’s governing footballing body is seeking to increase female participation to at least 30% total, whilst raising the number of active coaches and referees with accreditation by 15%.

With this program, Football Tasmania have recognised the significance of the raising awareness of and strengthening of the pathways for players, coaches and referees. As a result, strong and effective relationships with clubs can be better maintained in order to deliver tangible value for all stakeholders. Moreover, initiatives that subsequently recognise and reward achievements and successes in the game at all levels can champion the game for the state as a whole.

For those interested, the application form can be accessed here.

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Murray United calls Football Victoria review following wave of State League forfeits

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Image Credit: Murray United FC

Murray United has called on Football Victoria to undertake a comprehensive review of State League football after a series of fixture forfeits left the regional club questioning the integrity of the competition and the long-term sustainability of its senior pathway.

In correspondence sent to Football Victoria, Murray United outlined concerns following what it says has been an unprecedented number of forfeited fixtures during the 2026 State League season. According to the club, its senior men’s program has been impacted by five forfeited rounds, equating to 10 matches. This includes the club’s last two fixtures, significantly disrupting competition across both senior and reserve grades.

The club and its chairman Pedro Afonso, argue the consequences extend far beyond missed fixtures, affecting player development, community engagement and confidence in the State League system.

“This is extraordinary, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the integrity and intent of Football Victoria’s State League competition,” Afonso said to Football Victoria.

“This impact extends well beyond lost fixtures. It has damaged player morale, member engagement, volunteer morale, sponsorship and club revenue, and the reputation of the sport and competition itself.”

Located at the club’s $20 million facility in Wodonga, Murray United has invested heavily in creating a regional football pathway. However, repeated forfeits have limited opportunities for players, coaches and supporters to participate in home State League fixtures.

The club has hosted just three home rounds this season despite the significant investment made into facilities and matchday operations.

“Our players, coaches, members, supporters, sponsors and the sport expect a legitimate State League competition, not one regularly disrupted by forfeits,” Afonso said.

“Our confidence must be restored by Football Victoria.”

While the immediate concern centres on this season, Murray United believes the issue reflects broader structural challenges facing regional football within Victoria’s State League system. Between the north-west and south-east competitions, there are 14 divisions of State League football in Victoria.

Among its recommendations, the club has called for Football Victoria and its Football Development Committee to undertake a formal review of the State League Seven North West competition, including club compliance and the frequency of forfeits.

Murray United also questioned whether the current competition structure provides an appropriate development environment for ambitious regional clubs. The club could be promoted to division six due to a large proportion of fixture forfeits. But fearing further cancellations, the club is requesting a review to be placed in an even higher division where clubs are willing to travel to Wodonga.

“We believe we should be sensibly placed in a competition that reflects our playing standard, facilities, player and coach pathways and our ambitions,” Afonso said.

The club has requested that Football Victoria assess its senior program using grading principles similar to those recently applied within senior women’s competitions, with consideration given to placement in a competition more suited to its football program and long-term objectives.

Alongside competition grading, Murray United has proposed stronger penalties for clubs that repeatedly forfeit fixtures. Recommendations include increased financial sanctions to $2,100 for senior teams alongside a three-point deduction per forfeit and compensation for host clubs to offset matchday operating costs.

The submission also encourages Football Victoria to review minimum participation standards across State League clubs, strengthen accountability measures and examine whether the existing league structure adequately supports regional football.

Afonso believes reform is necessary to ensure regional clubs are not disadvantaged within a statewide competition.

“We remain fully committed to providing quality football opportunities for our regional members and community and have heavily invested in facilities, player and coach development and volunteers,” he said.

The club has requested that Football Victoria provide clarity on the actions it intends to take before the commencement of the 2027 season, arguing that restoring confidence in competition integrity will be critical for the continued growth of regional football.

 

Kansas City Current receive financial backing for stadium expansion

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Image credit: CPKC Stadium

The CPKC Stadium, home to NWSL side KC Current, will see a major financial injection transform its capacity from 11,500 to 18,000.

 

Leading by example

Amid the excitement, chaos and attention on the FIFA World Cup this summer, the football industry in the US has, once again, come into the spotlight.

But one story which truly represents the progress and development of football in the US is not within the men’s game, but the women’s.

Kansas City Current – a team who privately funded the world’s first purpose-built football stadium for a women’s professional team – is once again leading by example for women’s football in the US.

Only this time, their stadium plans will have the backing not just of the club, but of the Kansas City Council. A recently approved package of AUD 336 million (USD 235 million) will add 6,500 seats to the venue, an expansion which comes as a welcome development for fans who regularly fill the CPKC Stadium to capacity.

 

Big investment, fast expansion

The CPKC Stadium, however, is little over two years old, having reached its project completion in 2024. But after matches consistently sold out, expansion was always the next step in the inspirational journey of the KC Current.

Co-founders and co-owners, Angie and Chris Long, outlined what the coming investment will mean for both club and community.

“We are proud to continue investing in Kansas City’s future and grateful for the partnership that makes this chapter possible,” the Longs said.

“The success of the Current and the Riverfront benefit our entire community, and we are honoured to help create a lasting legacy for a city that has given so much to us.”

The public funding for the project takes it to AUD 2 billion (USD 1.4 billion). Such financial commitment, of course, reflects the welcome backing from the Kansas City Council.

Yet, more importantly, it shows that women’s football is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the sporting world. In just a few years, the KC Current went from a 3,200 capacity stadium to one which boasts 18,000.

Who knows, in the coming seasons, where this rapid rise will lead to next.

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