Futsalroos return to NSW for friendly

Liam Watson

The Australian Men’s Futsal team, the Futsalroos, have had their final preparation ahead of the 2019 Futsal Championships.

It was the first time since 2016 since the team last played, after competing in the 2016 Futsal World Cup in Colombia where they were knocked out in the group stage.

Now, the Futsalroos have completed a warm up match against the Solomon Islands at Valentine Sports Park on an important day as it was Australia’s last chance to see the team live in their country.

With a healthy turnout and live stream provided by Football NSW, the Futsalroos got the required 3-2 win with the support they needed that will see them depart to Vietnam for the 2019 Futsal Championships.

The AFF Futsal Championships serve as a stepping stone towards qualifying for the 2020 AFC Championship, as it’s the next qualifying stage.

The nations that finish in the top 3 places of the AFF Futsal Championships will progress to the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

This will hopefully be just the beginning of the Futsalroo’s latest tilt on the world stage with the new qualification bid for the World Cup, which has gotten off to winning ways.

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Bundesliga DNA to the Boardroom: German-born Martin Kugeler Takes the Helm at Football Australia

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Image Credit: Stan

German-born executive, Martin Kugeler, shaped by Europe’s football culture and based in Australia since 2009, will step in as Football Australia CEO in February as the game eyes a defining 2026.

Reaching new heights

During the press conference held earlier this morning, Kugeler displayed both confidence and ambition as he prepares to lead a new era for Football Australia next month.

“Football in Australia has a strong foundation for growth. Our national impact is massive,” he said, highlighting both the immense number of participants and local clubs in Australia. He then continued to underline both the Socceroos and the Matildas as valuable assets in the nation’s football sphere.

“We have exceptional national teams that continually make us proud. They perform at a truly global scale and unite not only the football community, but the entire nation.”

With both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the FIFA Men’s World Cup both on the horizon in 2026, the year certainly represents a huge opportunity for both the men’s and women’s game to showcase Australian footballing talent on an international scale. But the focus, as Krugeler underlined, will extend beyond the national team and address all levels of football in Australia to help the game grow.

“Football brings people and communities together. For a healthy lifestyle, for connection, for enjoyment, for belonging, powered by a remarkable, passion [and] dedicated players, referees, coaches, volunteers and fans,” he continued.

An inspiring reminder to all those involved in the game across Australia, and one which will hopefully show participants and stakeholders at all levels that 2026 will begin a new period of stability, growth and innovation.

 

Expertise, passion and ambition

Of course, the dawn of a new era for Football Australia cannot be successfully achieved without addressing the past and current issues, while still keeping an ambitious eye on what football can become at both national and international level for Australia.

Alongside Kugeler in the FA leadership team will be Football Australia Chair, Anter Isaac, as well as former Matilda, and current interim CEO of Football Australia, Heather Garriock. With their combined industry expertise and true passion for the game, all fans, players and stakeholders can be optimistic for the future of football governance in Australia.

But while expertise and passion are undoubtedly valuable assets for the FA, it remains essential that these help to inform the decisions and solutions made with the game’s best interests at heart.

 

 

 

 

Football NSW announces partnership extension with Kappa

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Football NSW

The Italian sportswear brand has collaborated with Football NSW since 2022, and will continue as the Official Apparel Supplier until the end of 2030.

Extending the partnership 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, has expressed his enthusiasm for the extended collaboration with Kappa. 

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Kappa, a brand that has consistently demonstrated its passion for football and its commitment to delivering excellence,” Tstatsimas said. 

“We look forward to working closely with Kappa as we continue to grow the game and provide opportunities for players, coaches, and communities across New South Wales,”he continued.

Having worked with Football NSW since 2022, the renewed partnership due to run until the end of 2030 is a strong reflection of the Italian sportswear brand’s track record for supplying high-quality apparel to both players and staff. In the past, Kappa has provided their services to State Teams, Talent Support Programs and the annual NAIDOC Cup. 

Kappa’s high-quality history

Initially founded in Turin as Calzificio Torinese in 1916, Kappa has developed throughout the 20th and 21st century into a worldwide giant in the sports apparel industry. 

Since becoming Kappa in 1978 under the guidance of Founder and President, Marco Boglione, the brand has worked with some of Europe’s most iconic clubs. Previous partnerships have been with FC Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan. Kappa currently sponsors two Serie A clubs, Genoa FC and ACF Fiorentina, as well as OGC Nice in Ligue 1. 

Kappa Australia Director, Zeev Bogaty, affirmed Kappa’s commitment to supporting football in NSW. 

“As we embark on another five years as the state’s official apparel partner and continue our close working relationship with Football NSW, we look forward to contributing even more to the growth and success of football across the state,” Bogaty said via press release. 

Kappa’s reputation in the industry is undeniable. As a leader in the world of sports apparel and teamwear, and with a proven record of supplying kits to some of football’s biggest clubs across the world, it is no wonder why Football NSW was keen to continue working alongside Kappa in the seasons to come.

 

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