Football Victoria sign MoU with Australian Blind Football

Philip Panas12/10/2020 5:32 am04/08/2021

Football Victoria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australian Blind Football.

The governing body will support the ABF by delivering programs directly and through clubs, for all ages, abilities, genders and vision loss.

Assistance in awareness, facilities and events will also be provided.

ABF is currently working with FFA to be the recognised pathway for people who are vision impaired to play football for Australia.

Current FV CEO, Kimon Taliadoros, spoke about how the MOU aligned with the governing body’s FootbALLways strategy.

“FootbALLways is about uniting, inspiring and enabling Victorians of all backgrounds to live and love football, for life. We’re committed to making the game more accessible to all members of our community, including blind and partially sighted Victorians, by supporting organisations like ABF,” he said.

“The power of football reaches far beyond the health benefits of staying active. We know our game brings people together, building communities and connections. We look forward to working together with ABF, enabling greater access to the world game and all its benefits for blind and partially sighted Victorians.”

National Coordinator of Blind Football at the ABF, Dave Connolly, said: “Blind and partially sighted football is growing across the globe and this partnership with Football Victoria is a significant step for blind and partially sighted football in Australia. It’s a commitment for football in Victoria to be truly inclusive of people who are blind or partially sighted of all ages, genders and abilities.

“Our goal is to ensure more Australians who are blind or partially sighted have access to physical activity and a connection with their communities, particularly during a year where the need for social connection has been heightened. Therefore, we are excited to be working with the team at Football Victoria, and the broader football community, to make this a reality.”

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Chelsea and Tottenham Arrive in Sydney as Premier League Giants Launch Australian Pre-Season Tour

Lorcan Marelich29/07/2026 6:05 am28/07/2026

Image Credit: Chelsea FC

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have touched down in Sydney ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for the Sydney Super Cup. Both clubs have wasted little time settling into life in Sydney, beginning preparations for a busy week of training sessions, fan events and pre-season fixtures.

The London rivals will each face A-League opposition before meeting meeting in the marquee fixture of the tour at Accor Stadium, bringing two of England’s biggest clubs to Australian shores as they build towards the 2026-27 Premier League season.

For Chelsea, the tour represents the first opportunity for supporters to see new manager Xabi Alonso lead the Blues. Meanwhile, Spurs fans will be eager to see improvements from Roberto De Zerbi’s men following their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Chelsea will open their tour against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 28 July, while Tottenham will face Sydney FC on Wednesday 29 July, before the clubs meet in the headline fixture of the tour on Saturday 1 August.

The clash will mark the first time the London rivals have faced each other outside the UK. The tour is another sign of Australia’s growing stature as a destination for elite European clubs during the northern hemisphere off-season

With Chelsea and Tottenham among the Premier League’s biggest global brands, the fixtures are expected to attract strong crowds and give Australian football fans a rare opportunity to watch top-flight English footballers in person.

The tour will also feature the Chelsea Women’s team, which will take on the A-League Women’s All Stars in a showcase fixture on Wednesday 12 August.

Football Australia Chairman Reflects on Socceroos World Cup Campaign, Points to Reform Agenda Ahead

Declan Chan29/07/2026 5:55 am28/07/2026

Image Credit: Football Australia

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac has released a statement reflecting on the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, which ended in a penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the Round of 32 on 3 July.

Isaac thanked the players, coaching staff, medical and performance teams, and volunteers who supported the campaign, saying they represented the country with professionalism, humility and pride.

He said the tournament had brought Australians together across every state, culture and generation, calling it one of the few sporting moments capable of uniting the country.

Isaac linked the campaign to Football Australia’s broader governance work, pointing to the organisation’s recently announced reform agenda and the Enduring Principles adopted last year: Better Access to Football for All, More Football, Better Football, More People Enjoying Football, and Winning Football.

He said those principles, together with the organisation’s values of Welcome, Ready, Connect, Excel and Protect, formed the basis for every decision Football Australia makes.

“World Cups do not define our leadership,” Isaac said, adding that they instead reveal progress made long before a ball is kicked.

He said Football Australia’s responsibility extended beyond preparing for the next tournament to strengthening the institution that supports every tournament that follows.

Isaac said progress in a sporting ecosystem of Australian football’s scale depends less on any single body’s authority than on the willingness of clubs, federations, leagues and government to align around shared goals.

He said the organisation would study the lessons of the campaign carefully and continue refining its approach.

“Adaptability is not changing direction with every headline,” Isaac said. “It is improving the path while remaining true to the destination.”

Isaac framed his own role in terms of long-term stewardship, saying the game should be left in a stronger position for the generations that follow than it was for those who built it.