Four inductees enter Football Australia Hall of Fame

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Football Australia has inducted four legends of Australian football into the Football Australia Hall of Fame at the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifier in Melbourne on Thursday.

Commonwealth Bank Matildas greats Kate Gill and Heather Garriock, Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer, and Joseph (Joe) Huxley Honeysett – a name synonymous with the establishment of football in Tasmania – were inducted into the esteemed list of Australian football contributors.

Gill, Garriock, Schwarzer, and Huxley Honeysett were able to be inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame via a public process, with the nominees then considered by a panel of Australian football historians.

The panel of historians provided their recommendations to the Football Australia Board, with Football Australia’s Directors subsequently ratifying each person’s elevation into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Football Australia Chair Chris Nikou was honoured to induct Heather Garriock, Kate Gill, Mark Schwarzer, and Joseph Huxley Honeysett into the Football Australia Hall of Fame at the match.

“The Football Australia Hall of Fame celebrates legends, and the people behind the legends, in our game,” Nikou said.

“Through their respective inductions into the Football Australia Hall of Fame – Kate, Heather, Mark, and Joe will forever be recognised as greats of Australian football – people that on and off the pitch showed their class and toiled for the sport to reach new heights.”

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson sees the Football Australia Hall of Fame, launched in 1999 when the first inductions were made, as a list of great Australian football people.

“The Football Australia Hall of Fame features many icons of our sport – people that have represented Australia with aplomb domestically and internationally, have fought for the advancement of our sport, and have laid the foundations for future generations to grow the world game on Australian soil,” Johnson said.

“We warmly congratulate Joe, Mark, Heather, and Kate on their respective inductions – all are worthy of their position amongst the game’s greats, and I hope Mark, Heather, and Kate take great pride in their acknowledgement. Equally, I trust that Joe, who is being acknowledged posthumously, would have been thrilled to be inducted. The Huxley Honeysett name is now forever inscribed in Australian football’s history.”

The inductions of Gill, Garriock, Schwarzer, and Huxley Honeysett mark the first additions to the Football Australia Hall of Fame since Harry Kewell, Leigh Wardell, Branko Culina, and Sir Frank Lowy in 2019.

Despite the recent induction occurring in 2022, the quartet enter the Hall of Fame as 2021 inductees.

Another process will be held throughout 2022, as Football Australia seeks to recognise more people that have made an immense contribution to the Australian game.

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Louie Acevski discusses NPL season 2025 and NST on SEN radio

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Image credit: Preston Lions FC

Preston Lions Senior Men’s Head Coach, Louie Acevski, went live on SEN Radio yesterday with Julian De Stoop to discuss the upcoming Victoria NPL season and National Second Tier competition (NST).

Having achieved promotion from the VPL1 after a successful 2024, the Lions will face a busy year in 2025.

Beginning on February 7, the Preston Lions will kick off their first match in the NPL with a game against Hume City at home. However, the Lions will also take part in the new NST competition in October.

Speaking on the season ahead, Acevski expressed his enthusiasm.

“Coming into NPL 1 season this year, where we haven’t been part of it for a long time, it’s exciting times,” Acevski said on radio.

“There’s derby games week in, week out, and we’re hoping to get anywhere between four to 6000 people per game on a Friday night. I know round one against Hume City will be a huge crowd.

“There will be some entertainment. Facilities are fantastic. Ground will be exceptional. Lights will be on, and cameras will be rolling.

“It’s a great product to watch and be a part of. I, to this day, still get goosebumps every time I walk out.”

Having achieved four promotions across the last six seasons, the Preston Lions have achieved immense success in a short time frame. However, Acevski was aware of the fraught competitiveness of the NPL.

“Expectations are very simple for us, It’s an unknown quantity at the moment,” he said.

“The NPL 1 is a very, very tough league, and we’re the new kids on the block. We’re just coming into it to put a bit of security and put the foundations down in NPL 1.”

At the end of the NPL season, Preston will take part in the recently created National Second Tier competition as a foundation club.

Acevski outlined the importance of the competition for Australian football.

“The B league is so important. The quicker we bring it in, the better,” he said.

“We need to give kids opportunities to grow further and become better players in a better environment, closer to a professional environment, and the B league will give us that.”

Preston will enter the 16-team competition as one of eight foundation clubs, hoping to become a mainstay in the tournament which will run from October to December next year.

“We’re in a really good place. The foundations have been constructed. We’re moving up to bigger and better things, and every year we’re just trying to improve as a club,” he continued to say.

“We just want to make and bring a product to Australian football that everybody wants to be a part of and wants to come and watch us on a Friday night.

“The success is not a one person show, you’re as good as your team in relation to your staff, players, committees, etcetera. We’re all on the same status and wavelength about what we want to do and how we want to go about it.

“Come this season, the B league, as an official home and away season is not commencing, but the Victoria NPL 1 season will be a short advertisement for it. You’ll the see the passion, love and support base around these games, and it’s just going to be a snippet of what the B league can and probably should be.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Workplace Law renews collaboration with Melbourne City FC

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Image credit: Melbourne City

Melbourne City FC has confirmed the renewal of its partnership with Workplace Law, a leading provider of employment and workplace relations expertise, for another two years.

Following a successful inaugural season together, this renewal signifies an ongoing collaboration that highlights shared commitments to excellence, equality, and innovation.

Workplace Law continues to support City’s Women’s program, with their logo proudly displayed on the back of the A-League Women’s training kit.

Furthermore, the logo will feature on the matchday attire of City Women’s Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, reflecting Workplace Law’s unwavering dedication to advancing women in sport.

Melbourne City FC’s partnership with Workplace Law, backed by a history of driving success on and off the field, aligns with the Club’s goal of fostering a high-performance culture for its players and staff.

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, shared his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Workplace Law, a company that shares our passion for driving excellence and creating opportunities for women in sport,” he said via press release.

“Their support plays a vital role in ensuring our Women’s program can continue to thrive, both on and off the pitch. We look forward to achieving even greater success together over the next two years.”

Workplace Law Director and CEO, Shane Koelmeyer, shared this excitement.

“We absolutely love being part of the Melbourne City family and are delighted to extend our partnership for another two seasons. They are the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to creating the ideal high-performance environment for their coaches and players to thrive on and off the pitch,” he said via press release.

“The Club has a wonderful history of sustained success in both the women’s and men’s programs, and we look forward to sharing in, along with their other amazing partners, further success in the future.”

This partnership not only bolsters Melbourne City’s ALW program but also showcases Workplace Law’s commitment to empowering teams and individuals to excel.

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