Footballco’s NXGN join Wolves Academy as principal partner

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Wolves & NXGN
Image provided by Wolverhampton Wanderers

Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers have partnered with Footballco’s youth football brand, NXGN, naming them as principal partner of their academy.

NXGN was launched in 2021 by Footballco to cover the next generation of youth culture and young talented individuals influencing the game. The partnership will see NXGN appear on the front of Wolves’ under-12’s through to under-18’s shirts, along with brand replacements in and around Wolverhampton’s academy.

Content featuring academy players include appearing in Footballco’s video formats, as well as new formats created for NXGN and specifically for the partnership with Wolves. New formats for the partnership will also incorporate Wolves’ youth-focused initiatives, such as their esports team and their music label.

Collaborations between NXGN and Wolves Records have already begun, with Wolves Records’ artist Reepa recording a track for the partnership that serves as the soundtrack to the official video announcement.\

‘NXGN’ by Reepa and produced by Tarju Le’Sano, details a young player’s ambitions to make it in professional football, from avoiding distractions and excelling at training to breaking into the first team.

Andy Jackson, Head of Partnerships for Footballco, spoke via press release:

“Wolves’ pioneering work in music, gaming, and fashion, as well as the excellent work by their academy, aligns perfectly with NXGN’s ambition to not only showcase the best young players but also cover youth football culture beyond the pitch, in formats and on channels that resonate with Gen-Z and Gen-A fans. We’re looking forward to working with Wolves and showing our audience what life is like at a Premier League academy.”

Wolves’s Golden Chane project will see Footballco and NXGN acting as key partners for this initiative. Thanks to the project Wolves’ academy, coaches will get to visit the cities in the United States to promote young talent. The initiative will be promoted through GOAL and NXGN channels, with both brands supporting a docuseries that will air after the project’s completion

Russell Jones, General Manager for marketing and commercial growth at Wolves, added via press release:

“I’m delighted to welcome Footballco to the Wolves family. Footballco fully shares our vision of integrating football, fashion, music, and gaming and is the world’s largest football publisher, reaching over 600 million people per month.

“I’m sure many of our fans will already be familiar with their popular football brands like GOAL, Mundial, INDIVISA, and NXGN.  Aside from growing the story of the Wolves Academy, this partnership will help Wolves and our partners increase our global reach. I’d like to thank Andy and the team for their work so far and look forward to an exciting year ahead.”

The partnership between Wolves and Footballco will act as a catalyst for collaborating with further media brands on other innovative content initiatives growing their fanfare in other football-frenzy nations.

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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