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A new partnership between Football West and atWork Australia has been launched.
This recent development will see the two organisations come together until the end of the season – atWork Australia are the Offical Program Supporter of the All Abilities and Inclusion Program.
The importance of having an association like this linked with an NPL league is the connection it has that everyone should be entitled to have a fair go.
AtWork Australia is a leader in the employment services area who offer all Australians across the nation with a chance to apply for jobs and support them as they build better quality working lives.
In the past year, atWork helped about 7,000 Australians find work. It doesn’t matter whether someone has a disability, illness or injury – because they promote inclusiveness.
AtWork can support people with their goals and aspirations, build skills and get them ready for work by having them accustomed to the lifestyle. The skills developed will also help them do well in interviews to lead them towards employment.
AtWork has 30 offices in Western Australia and over 270 across the country, ready to assist job seekers from all walks of life.
Image credit: Football Victoria via Community in Business Breakfast
Last week, Kimon Taliadoros resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Football Victoria.
He also served as Chairman of Football Victoria for five years before his role as CEO.
Taliadoros stated in regards to his exit decision via media release confirmation; “After much reflection, I have decided to step down from my role as CEO of Football Victoria. It has been a privilege to serve the game. I am grateful to the selfless volunteers and dedicated staff that provide the resilience and energy that drives football in Victoria every day.”
Throughout his tenure, Taliadoros played a strong part in guiding the development of the Home of Matildas facility at La Trobe University – which also acts as the governing body’s headquarters.
Stage one of the precinct, an overall $101.1 million investment by the Victorian Government, was completed just before the beginning of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
An overview of what the facility is eventually set to include, is listed below.
FIFA and AFC compliant elite training facility
Five pitches including
Show Pitch – Premium FIFA standard Hybrid
1 additional Premium FIFA standard Hybrid
3 FIFA standard synthetic pitches
400m2 high-performance Gym
Cardio
Weights
Additional Rehab/pilates / yoga multi-purpose space
Sprint track
Hydration station
Med ball wall
Warm-up / kicking zone
Sports Science / High performance
Prehab/rehab zone
Sports science lab
Doctor / Physio / Psychologist consulting suites
2 Massage spaces
Strapping bench
Coaching hub/office
Elite-level Recovery / Wet Area
Hot & Cold Plunge Pools
‘Endless River’ recovery pool with swimming jets
Multiple change rooms including a purpose-designed circular Matildas locker room
Referee change-room
Auditorium / Theatrette and 3 configurable team meetings rooms with pitch markings in the carpet (team walk-throughs)
Approximately 800 seat grand-stand with additional terrace/balcony for standing room and/or functions – overlooking the main pitch
Function spaces and bar overlooking the main pitch (with commercial kitchen attached)
Public Café and match day canteen
Matildas and FV historical/interactive displays and memorabilia
Media production centre
Broadcast spaces and capability
Players dining room
Player’s lounge, study space, and 2 sleep rooms (sleep/meditation/prayer / quiet rooms)
Property office and laundry
Football Victoria offices within the main administration building
Public amenities throughout – including Changing Places, all abilities, gender neutral and parents facilities
Purpose-built international standard Futsal pitch (Stage 2 – subject to funding)
This facility will support wheelchair football, rugby, and other indoor events
The Futsal pitch will also provide an indoor training/game warm-up space
Taliadoros was also was responsible for the governing body’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working around the impacts of lockdowns and reduced competition across the state. The organisation was also the first sporting entity to commit to 50/50 gender equity under his reign.
In the interim, the FV Board has installed Karen Pearce OAM – the current Head of Equity, Growth and Inclusion at the governing body, as acting CEO. She will continue in her current role as well taking on responsibilities of the CEO’s office in an acting capacity.
The board has initiated a recruitment process for a permanent CEO – and it’s an opportunity for the governing body to appoint an experienced individual, with fresh ideas, to take the game forward in Victoria.
The success of other governing bodies, such as Football Queensland, are an appropriate guide of what to do next for Football Victoria.
Rob Cavallucci and his organisation recently delivered a new home for football in Brisbane’s North, after an agreement between the governing body and the Brisbane City Council.
The facility will provide young footballers in the state with further development programs, to improve their skills at a young age.
It is just one of a number of initiatives that Football Queensland have implemented, since Cavallucci took over in 2019.
On the back of a hugely successful Women’s World Cup, participation numbers are set to soar in Australia and it’s important for the governing body in Victoria especially, to take advantage of this.
Increased funding from governments should be on the agenda to cater for the boom, with a lack of suitable football pitches across the state still an issue for many participants.
Improvement on a commercial front is also necessary. The organisation should be focusing heavily on signing sponsorship deals for their major competitions and events across Victoria – something that they can definitely capitalise on.
To accomplish this, the game in Victoria needs a CEO with a wealth of commercial experience, with an extensive network to tap into – to take the state’s game to the next level.
Transformation is needed in the governing body now, before the momentum of the Matildas’ home World Cup achievements wear off.
Proactive business decisions must be made by the incoming CEO, instead of reactive, if the game is to grow into its full potential across Victoria.
Football West has announced a two-year contract extension of their deal with video analysis partner Veo.
The deal adds a significant extension to the relationship that began back in 2021. Since that initial partnership Veo has become an integral addition to Football West’s coaching arsenal allowing them to elevate their training and performance.
Veo began as a startup in 2015, when Veo’s co-founder Keld was late for his son’s football match due to a meeting. In the time it took for Keld to arrive, his son had scored a goal something that only added to the disappointment of both father and son. From that experience Keld thought why shouldn’t highlight technology be available at all levels of the game not just for the professionals.
Hence, Veo was born and now eight years later it offers an affordable solution for video analysis that can be maximised both at the top end of the game and at the local level including just in training.
Football West in choosing to partner with Veo has thus opened up this newly expanded area of video analysis to it clubs.
Under the lucrative offers and discounts that have come with the partnership, dozens of West Australian clubs have signed up and began utilising Veo technology.
This uptake has seen huge benefits in the coaching of clubs – Football West Football Development Officer, Gareth Naven highlighted this positive result in the extensions announcement.
“Football West’s partnership with Veo is fantastic for football in WA. The ability to use the very latest technology to analyse game footage immediately after matches is invaluable and is great for coaches and players,” they said via press release.
“More and more clubs are using Veo and also taking advantage of some of the great offers Veo and Football West can deliver through this extended partnership.”
Veo Manager – Australia/New Zealand, Callan Walker, also expressed the companies delight in having the partnership continue, highlighting the aligned social goals of both partners.
“We’re thrilled to renew our partnership with Football West. The West Australian football community has embraced Veo, and we’re excited to enhance the relationship via some innovative new tools for players, coaches and supporters,” they added via press release.
“To be in a position to announce this renewal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup is very special. The atmosphere and adrenaline the tournament is creating within local football communities is addictive, and Veo intends to help Football West maintain that momentum.
“In line with the FIFA WWC, Veo has launched a meaningful social impact content campaign, which celebrates the evolution of Women’s football. We invite Football West and the West Australian community to join us and Play For More.”
By using Veo software, Football West’s clubs are now able to improve their game day performance through real time reviews and analysis that can even be used mid game. The use of Veo is also improving the experience of fans who through their software are now provided more access to training sessions and game day highlights on social media.
Hence, this deal is great for the professionalism of the game as even at the local level it provides all footballers the chance improve and even relive their on field glory just as those in the big leagues can.
