Football West unveils Football Australia Academy

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Image credit: Football West website

Football West has confirmed its excitement about launching the Football Australia Academy for 2025.

The Football Australia Academy will serve talented boys aged 12 to 15, with a primary focus on player development.

It is in line with Football Australia’s new 10-Year National Technical Strategy and is incorporated into the advanced pathway program nationwide.

The Football West-operated Academy has been created with contributions from various levels of football governance and is aimed at preparing young talent for advancement to higher levels, such as the A-League and national representation.

It has received endorsement from the Football Australia Board, national team Head Coaches, as well as the Football West Board and Game Development Committee.

The full-time boys’ program will run alongside Football West’s girls’ NTC program, which has recently produced graduates like Georgia Cassidy, Ruby Cuthbert, and Ischia Brooking who have competed in the A-League Women’s league and earned selections for junior national teams.

Football Australia Chief Football Officer Ernie Merrick stated that the Football Australia Academy provides a clear pathway for identifying and developing Australian talent.

“The timing for the Football Australia Academy to be implemented in Western Australia as a full-time program has never been more important,” he said via press release.

“This aligns with the National Technical Strategy and direction with the launch of the Football Australia Academy model integrated with our Member Federations.

“Working with young players, Football West, supported by Football Australia, can create a positive developmental environment for both coaches and players that will assist this cohort in progressing their football journey and continuing the strong record of development in Western Australia.”

Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell mentioned that the new Academy would provide talented boys with the best chance to elevate their game to the highest level.

“Football West is thrilled to launch the Football Australia Academy and we look forward to working directly with Football Australia in developing the next generations of West Australian talent,” he said via press release.

“This wasn’t a decision made lightly but made with the best interests of the game as a whole, both for WA and Australia.

“The Football Australia Academy will operate to enhance the technical skills, tactical understanding and high-performance behaviours of players in WA. There is a clear development focus throughout the program. The Football Australia Academy also allows for the identification and progression of coaches, both those in the program and those with the local clubs.

“The Football Australia Academy will expand opportunities for young players across metropolitan, regional and rural areas, ensuring a broader and more inclusive pathway for talent. This approach is designed to complement, not compete with, local club programs.”

To find out more information about trials, click here.

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Queensland Government grants boosts growth and affordability

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Image credit: PxHere website

Queensland’s sporting community will benefit from comprehensive state government grants, which will help kids join local clubs, support elite athletes, and upgrade facilities.

For children

  • Access up to $200 in FairPlay vouchers per eligible child to assist with sport and recreation club membership costs.
  • Support of up to $800 is available through Emerging Athlete Pathways for athletes and officials under 18 attending state, national and international competitions.

For clubs and organisations

  • Become a registered organisation to accept FairPlay vouchers, allowing eligible children to use up to $200 towards membership, registration or participation fees.
  • Register your organisation’s competitions at state, national and international levels through Emerging Athlete Pathways to enable athlete and official funding eligibility.
  • Apply for the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund to create accessible, safe and inclusive community sport and recreation spaces.
  • Not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations can access Active Clubs funding to support volunteers and deliver flexible, safe physical activities to boost participation.

Disaster recovery

  • Eligible not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations affected by significant weather events can apply for up to $5,000 through the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program to restart operations.

Other Sports and Recreation funding sources

  • Explore funding opportunities for not-for-profit organisations through your local council.
  • Contact your state sport and recreation organisation for information about activity-specific funding options.
  • Access various funding programs for individuals and sporting organisations through Sport Australia.

Sporting clubs have always been vocal about the importance that government backing has in the upkeep of the sporting industry.

Though it will take time to see the full effect of these grants, this comprehensive list of grants shows that Queensland’s government is dedicated to supporting its sporting industry.

It’s a positive sign and hopefully, it will help increase the sporting output and relieve the financial stress for the people of Queensland. A strong sporting Queensland is a benefit for sport in the country as a whole.

Learn more here.

Major grant boost for women’s football in NSW

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NSW Government - Level the Playing Fund
Image credit: Football NSW

In a major win for women’s football growth in NSW, a $654,000 grant from the Federal Government has been awarded to support the ‘Play Our Way’ initiative for women and girls.

Football NSW’s ‘Empower Her’ project, focused on leadership, education, and inclusion for women in football, was among 120 grants awarded as part of the Federal Government’s $55 million scheme.

The grant will focus on three key areas—leadership, education, and inclusion—to attract, retain, and develop women in football. It will also support intersectional communities through initiatives like the NAIDOC Cup for First Nations youth and community sustainability efforts for priority groups via Football4All and the State Parafootball team.

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, mentioned the crucial role that the funding will have for Football NSW.

“The generous funding from the Federal Government will play a pivotal role in supporting Football NSW’s mission to expand and elevate female participation in football across the state, ensuring that more women and girls can thrive in the sport at every level,” he said via press release.

“Female football continues to soar following the incredible success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

“Over the past 12 months, female participation has surged by an impressive 23%, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and opportunities for women and girls in the sport.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Government for their invaluable support. This funding will help us grow and create more opportunities for women and girls to participate in all facets of football across NSW.”

Sport Minister, Anika Wells, added her comments about the Play Our Way initiative.

“Play Our way is the single biggest package for women’s sport participation and facilities ever and these 120 projects will create greater opportunities for women and girls to enjoy being physically active,” she said via press release.

“The huge response to this grant opportunity, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

The grants are part of the participation stream, the first funding confirmed under the Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program.

A second phase of the Play Our Way program, focused on facility grants, will be confirmed soon.

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