Gelatissimo Help WanderKid Program Return To Wanderers FC

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Western Sydney Wanderers FC have announced the return of their WanderKid Program for the 2025/26 season, with the support of ice cream company Gelatissimo.

Gelatissimo is a gelato and cake maker business who make their products by hand, originating from the United States with stores and products in Australian supermarkets.

The WanderKid Program will continue to give grassroots players from 5-12 years old free entry to all Wanderers Isuzu UTE A-League and Ninja A-League home matches excluding the Sydney Derby.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO, Scott Hudson commented on the return of the WanderKid Program for its third season will open the gates for thousands of young players across Western Sydney.

“This program is about more than just a free ticket to a Wanderer match – it’s about creating a connection between grassroots football and the professional game,” he said via press release.

“With Gelatissimo now proudly on board, we’re looking forward to delivering an even more exciting match day experience for families this season.

“Along with our unique fee-free Boy’s and Girl’s Academy programs, this is another sign of our commitment to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to young people across Western Sydney becoming part of the Wanderers family.”

Gelatissimo General Manager of Wholesale, Bede Aquilina stated the partnership was a natural fit for the brand.

“At Gelatissimo, we are passionate about bringing people together for moments that matter, and the WanderKid Program is a wonderful way to exactly do that,” he said via press release.

“We’re proud to join the Wanderers in supporting this initiative and can’t wait to add to the fun and flavour of match days for WanderKids and their families this season.”

Family Zone

Wanderers FC families will be more engage in the club with the Family Zone, enhanced for the new season with various family friendly experiences planned, as well as the club addressing the cost-of-living concerns player’s families may have throughout the season.

Gelatissimo will support the program by assisting in family events to bring more colour and excitement to match days and engage fans and player’s families.

Parents and guardians can purchase memberships or tickets in this section to enjoy the full experience alongside their WanderKids.

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Female Referee Mentor Program backed by Football Australia

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Image credit: Football Australia

Football Australia (FA) launched the program last week, aiming to champion the next generation of female referees through connections with experienced officials.

Investing in the future

Backed with investment from the Australian Government’s ‘Play Our Way’ grant, FA’s Ref Our Game framework will pair future referees with current and former A-League officials.

Through one-on-one mentorship, development opportunities and a network of experienced professionals, aspiring female referees will have unique insights into match officiating.

“Football Australia has always been a leader in inclusion, setting a global standard for female leadership and development,” said Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway and creating a meaningful connections, increasing confidence and ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.”

Furthermore, with the launch coinciding with Female Football Week (running from May 8 to May 18), the program represents a wider drive in Australia’s football landscape to become inclusive and supportive.

 

About the program

Focused on future referees within the 18-26 age bracket, the program will give participants a deep understanding of match officiating and equip them with both confidence and expertise.

Each participant will benefit from six mentor sessions, which will include individual feedback, guidance and insights into the life of a referee in elite sport.

Combining leadership, communication and a real sense of belonging, the program promises to nurture new female referees and, as a result, ensure football remains a sport in which men and women can participate side-by-side.

“The Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it’s making a real difference,” explained Minister for Sport, Anika Wells.

“We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.”

Indeed, programs of this nature align ambition, professional networks, and a vision for improving the landscape.

This is what the industry needs to ensure long-term inclusivity and cohesion for the next generation.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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