Football Tasmania releases plans for its Home of Football facility

In accordance with its 2023-26 Football Facility Strategy, Football Tasmania (FT) released its plans for a new Home of Football centre, to be based in the State’s South.

The $80 million investment promises three full-sized synthetic pitches, three full-sized grass pitches, and state-of-the-art changeroom and training facilities for men and women’s football. There will also be provisions for community football in the shape of four five-aside pitches.

The organisation’s Facilities Strategy is aimed at increasing grassroots participation in football and creating a clear pathway for juniors to the elite level of the game.

The release of artists’ impressions for the HOF suggests the Facilities Strategy is running on schedule, with initial plans for a state football facility master plan to be released by 2025-2026.

In addition to these plans, FT is working on regional football hubs in the North and North-West of the state, which it hopes to have completed in the near future.

Artists’ impressions of the new facility, to be based in the Tasmania’s South.

As an organisation, FT has consistently demanded more from local and state governments. Speaking about the plans, CEO Tony Pignata produced some statistics in a rousing speech via the governing body’s website.

“Right now, we are the poor cousin. The Tasmanian Government invests around $540 into every Tasmanian who plays Australian Rules and around $138 into every basketballer, yet only $19 in a football player,” Pignata stated via press release.

“A simple levelling of the funding playing field will go a long way to realising our priorities for football in Tasmania, and take football to the next level.”

The demand is there for better football facilities in Tasmania, with the game reaching 38,000 participants in 2023. FT projections suggest this figure will grow by 20% in the next few years.

“Football’s popularity is not only because of our inspirational Matildas, but because it’s one of the safest sports our kids can play, it encourages an active lifestyle, and creates a strong sense of community,” Pignata added via media release,

“It’s now more important than ever to ensure football has the pitches and facilities it needs for the long term.”

Elite football arrived in Tasmania earlier this year in the shape of two A-League Men encounters, with just over 5,000 spectators attending the encounter between Western United and Sydney FC at North Hobart Oval. That eclipsed the figure of 3,850 set the previous week when United faced Western Sydney Wanderers.

Investing in state-of-the-art football facilities promises not only to bring more elite football to the state, but increase its own contribution to the elite level of Australian football. This creates a recognised elite pathway for boys and girls at the grassroots level of Tasmanian football, and delivers numerous benefits to coaches, referees, and various stakeholders operating within the game.

The growth of football in Tasmania is an interesting space – thus, bold infrastructure plans by FT shows a commitment to both expanding and unifying the state’s football community.

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Inter Miami CF Welcomes Más+ by Messi as Hydration Partner

Inter Miami CF names Más+ by Messi as its Official Hydration Partner in a new partnership, the alliance ensures hydration for all players, from the Academy to the First Team, while introducing Más+ by Messi to fans at Chase Stadium.

This partnership adds to Lionel Messi’s growing commercial ventures as Inter Miami’s captain and football legend. Founded by Messi, Más+ by Messi provides balanced hydration with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, serving both elite athletes and everyday consumers.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF’s leadership underscored the partnership’s significance, emphasising its advantages for both players and fans. Messi shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration.

“It’s a huge honour and joy that Más+ by Messi is becoming a partner of Inter Miami. When working on this drink, we aimed to provide hydration not only for elite athletes but also for amateurs and anyone looking to stay properly hydrated in their daily lives, while also benefiting from electrolytes and vitamins,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi’s Executive Vice President, Rishi Daing highlighted the vital role of hydration for everyone.

“Players for Inter Miami understand how important hydration is to achieving their goals. Now everyone can benefit from the same hydration, whether they’re on the field, in the stands, or in everyday life. We’re proud to partner with Inter Miami to share the importance of everyday hydration,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi will be seamlessly integrated into Inter Miami’s matchday experience and training facilities:

  • On-Field Presence: Branded coolers and towels will be used during training and matches.
  • Academy Support: The brand will aid youth development, reflecting Messi’s dedication to nurturing young talent.
  • Matchday Access: Fans at Chase Stadium can enjoy all Más+ by Messi flavours, including the city-inspired “Miami Punch.”
  • Retail Expansion: Available at Publix, Inter Miami’s Official Grocery Partner.
  • Stadium Branding: Visible throughout Chase Stadium, including press conferences and fan engagement areas.

This partnership extends beyond standard sponsorship, with Más+ by Messi actively engaging Inter Miami fans through activations and promotions at Chase Stadium. The brand’s presence in the Fan Zone and Northwest Club will further enhance the fan experience.

As Inter Miami CF expands its commercial ventures, this collaboration blends sports performance, business strategy, and the growing impact of Lionel Messi’s personal brand.

Melbourne Victory’s brand-new infrastructure strategy

Melbourne Victory & SEDA

A-League giant Melbourne Victory has revealed a brand-new extensive infrastructure strategy to foster and support tomorrow’s footballing stars.

The strategic infrastructure plan set out by Victory will aim to develop youth and women’s football programs by providing improved access to world class footballing facilities and player pathways across Victoria.

To achieve this, Melbourne Victory has opted for a campus model to enable players access to connected and consistent facilities across the North, East, South and West of Melbourne, all within an hour’s journey of Victory’s club administrative centre and the A-League Men’s training facilities at Gosch’s Paddock.

The club also intends to build another campus within the Melbourne city centre, with the first campus location to be announced by the club soon, as it continues to review and assess possible sites across the city.

Melbourne Victory Chairman, John Dovaston, explained why the club had chosen the campus model.

“The announcement of this project, and the direction taken, is aimed at ensuring we are best placed to attract and retain football talent across the State,” he said in a press release.

“Our innovative approach will allow us to have a number of campuses with not only an elite focus, but also, an eye on building our community to ensure that all Victorians have an opportunity to participate and engage in our game.”

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the new infrastructure strategy was so important to the club.

“It is well understood that sport and football can influence social cohesion, and it’s our responsibility as a Club to establish infrastructure and programs that can positively impact members of the community, regardless of gender, background or location, whether that be through training the next generation of football stars, or using football as a vehicle to lead, unite, connect and inspire the community more broadly,” she said via press release.

“By enabling Victory to connect with communities across the North, South, East, and West of AAMI Park, our spiritual home, we can truly grow the Victory family and set new standards for elite facilities in our Pathway and community programs.”

The infrastructure project is an important move for the club, allowing it to grow, improve and future-proof its current suite of footballing programs. Currently, Victory operates nine elite and 23 pathway programs, providing services to over 16,000 participants across Victoria. Through the campus model, the club hopes it will be able to more efficiently develop the new generation of A-League and national team players.

“The priority is to provide not just an entry point for individuals to engage and participate in football, but to keep them engaged and provide a holistic journey to grow the Victory family across the State,” Carnegie continued.

“We are excited about the opportunities that the project can provide and the potential for growth for our Club and for football in the future.”

Melbourne Victory will continue to issue updates as it sets on the 5-year-plus journey to complete the entire project. For more information on the club’s major infrastructure strategy, access the plan HERE.

 

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