How Patrick Spagnolo has revolutionised sporting apparel in Australia with OneSports

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Images supplied by One Nil Media

Patrick Spagnolo has really changed the game in the local footballing world in how to best go about the time-consuming task of customising kits, combining customer care and his huge passion for design to create OneSports that Box Hill United have managed to collaborate with for the current season.

Spagnolo boasts 35 years’ experience in the apparel industry, including a role with CK working with some big name retailers in Australia and abroad, fostering expertise crucial to OneSports’ success. His burning passion for both customer care and design excellence has led to the company being involved with some fantastic clubs in Victoria like Melbourne City and Avondale FC.

Patrick Spagnolo discussed the origins of OneSports and outlined what services the company offers for its many partners.

“OneSports was all about providing quality teamwear and that’s why we partnered with PUMA around 12 years ago. The company basically offers an end-to-end service so from design of the kits right through to the dispatch with all in-house production,” he explained.

“The key with an end-to-end service is partnership with our customers and really understanding what their requirements are. With that information we can collaborate and create a product they are really looking for.”

Whilst Spagnolo doesn’t quite have a football background himself, it was his kids early involvement in the sport that sparked the OneSports idea to partner with local clubs.

Luke Pickett in front of the Wembley Park stand.

He also touched on his wealth of experience in the apparel industry and the previous bigger roles he was involved in that guided him to early success with OneSports.

“My background is 35 years in the apparel industry, worked as a general manager for CK for 15 years and worked with big box retailers like Myer and Target as well as big retailers in the UK,” he mentioned.

“I’ve got a vast experience in the apparel industry and also come from a design background anyway so then built on that through OneSports from a marketing perspective as well.

“I’ve got an AFL background funny enough, but it started when my kids were playing soccer and what I could see was that all these clubs were struggling with supply, and they were quite unreliable.”

There is a reason why OneSports was able to succeed almost instantly with a partner like PUMA getting onboard. The company offers outstanding design and production services but also takes away the huge hassle for football clubs which is customizing their kits.

Spagnolo expanded on the company’s main point of difference in the competitive apparel market and why so many local clubs are partnering with the company in recent years.

“The point of difference with One Sports is the design element of it, on understanding what the DNA and the identity of each of our customers are and working back on their history to come up with a design that leads us towards success,” he said.

“I saw that there was an opportunity there, but I didn’t just want a no name brand or made up brand, we wanted a premium brand and that’s why we presented the business model to PUMA which ended up being a success.

“Being able to draw on PUMA’s vast library of designs and European influences that we’re able to give the latest trend of sports apparel but more specific teamwear.”

“PUMA has a brand sells itself, it’s probably one of the best football brands in the world which makes it all a lot easier,” he concluded.

Spagnolo’s experience in the industry has led to a big change in the way a supplier communicates with the clubs, searching a lot more in-depth into each club’s history and drawing inspiration from that to create a layered piece of teamwear.

In 2024, OneSports collaborated with Box Hill United to create two unique designs for its home and away kits that are an ode to the over century long history of the club and modernising it with some European inspirations.

Box Hill United’s training shirt for the 2024 season.

He discussed the exact process the company took in designing each of the kits and what the apparel means to the club on a deeper level.

“When we come in the point of design concepts for clubs, we give each of them 4-6 design concepts that look at what the trends are looking like and finding an identity,” he explained.

“The Box Hill home kit was drawn off Manchester City’s 2023/24 home kit design and we combined it with Box Hill’s history which predominantly had a striped jersey and also a cheval jersey back in the day.

“Being an over 100-year club, we used the old kit with the cheval to draw the inspiration for the away kit with a modern twist to it, and the key is keeping it trendy and modern,” he continued.

“The stripe on the home kit is like a shadow stripe so it was based on Man City’s look with a mixture of Box Hill’s original home kits that had the striped looks. The away kit recognises the club’s past with the cheval look and modernises it to make it look more presentable for this upcoming season.”

The Under 16’s recently showcased their new ‘Vista’ Royal Blue home kits designed by OneSports. This was inspired by AC Milan’s 2020/21 away kit, adding to it a collar and cuff design showcasing the colours of Box Hill, Blue, White and Black.

The goalkeeper kit comes in all black with a feature of ‘Ice break’ on the sleeves and side mesh, adding a subtle yet powerful touch to the kit.

Luke Del Vecchio in the black goalkeeper kit. Image credit: Passion Creations.

Spagnolo talked about OneSports’ ambitions in the future as a company that is currently focused on the local and domestic game but is potentially looking at expanding further. 

“OneSports is not really looking at moving away from partnering with local clubs mostly because of PUMA’s values,” he said.

“There is an ulterior motive there from PUMA because their belief is if the kids are wearing ‘the cat’, they will be more inclined to buy more PUMA products because you become loyal to a brand so grabbing them at a young age is important.”

Spagnolo mentioned the time-consuming nature of catering to every club’s needs and how that is important to the relationship with partners but also the integrity of OneSports.

“We are big on brand integrity, we’re not just out there to flog garments, we are invested in all our club partners no matter how big or small they are,” he said.

“We care and that use of the word ‘care’ is sincere and authentic because we don’t miss delivery dates and collaborate closely with clubs like Box Hill United now.”

OneSports’ partnership with Box Hill United exemplifies its commitment to honouring clubs’ histories. With just over a century of the club’s history and an important 40-year milestone for the women’s team this season, the innovative designs have given the club an array of kits that really represent the values of the club and successes of the past.

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Inaugural 2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup begins

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Image credit: Brisbane Roar FC

On 25 June, senior players from across Europe will take part in the first UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup at UEFA HQ in Lyon, Switzerland.

 

It’s everyone’s game

When thinking about football, fans tend to imagine the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action of the professional game. That is where excitement and drama is, usually, at its highest.

But growing within the wider football landscape is a version of the game which, rather than focusing on speed, instead champions enjoyment, health and participation for senior participants.

Walking football is proof that football truly belongs to everyone. UEFA’s commitment to staging the inaugral tournament on 25 June reflects the organisation’s understanding that a love for the beautiful game stays despite age, injury, or mobility issues.

Alongside the 2026 UEFA Walking Football Euro Cup is the release of the UEFA Walking Football Toolkit. This aims to provide more information about the game, benefitting associations, leagues and clubs and encompasses contributions from national associations of England, the Faroe Islands, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Poland and Sweden.

 

A brief history of walking football – and its importance

From its beginnings in the UK in 2011, walking football has since expanded across Europe and the world to give senior players a chance to be socially and physically active – all within a safe, minimal-impact environment.

And the game – despite its more steady nature – is gathering real pace here in Australia.

In October 2021, Football Australia introduced the first ever Seniors Football Week. Also, just last month, Brisbane Roar hosted the 2026 IWFF Walking Football World Championships at Perry Park – the first time the tournament has taken place in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

The implication, therefore, is that walking football will continue to grow and welcome more members of the community with a desire to dust off their old boots and join a team.

From youth teams to walking football, everyone in the pyramid shares the same love for the game. And there is no reason why, when speaking about the cohesive football development, that walking football shouldn’t be included in future planning and strategic visions.

Beyond the Pitch: Miyuki Kobayashi on the Real Challenges Facing Japan’s Women’s Game

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Image credit: JEFUNITED

Last week, Soccerscene spoke to pioneer of women’s football in Japan, Miyuki Kobayashi, about the game’s development in Japan and the intersection between sporting and social change in the country.

 

Talent, quality and recent silverware

After Japan’s recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup victory in the final against Australia, the women’s national team solidified its standing as the No.1 team in Asia.

Throughout the last 15 years, Japan’s women’s national team has grown into a formidable opponent, boasting a World Cup trophy, an Olympic silver medal, as well as three AFC Women’s Asian Cups.

The talent is undeniable. The quality is unwavering. And the team shows no signs of slowing down.

But these victories and trophies on the world stage wouldn’t be possible without the leaders behind the scenes – none more so than Miyuki Kobayashi, former WE League Board Member and current JEF United Ladies Scout and Academy Chief.

 

Laying the foundations

Kobayashi has led the charge for women’s football in Japan, promoting not only a sport which values success, but one which empowers female footballers across the nation.

“At university, not many girls were playing and we didn’t have an official team. I went to the US and the environment was so different,” Kobayashi explained.

“That opened my eyes – women can play. That’s how I started the women’s soccer league when I came back: to make an environment for girls to play.”

Thus, accessibility and opportunity became driving factors behind Kobayashi’s work, not only for those on the pitch, but for those in the dugout.

“I got involved at the JFA (Japanese Football Association) to promote women’s football. We wanted to create the opportunity for women to be coaches.”

“They are coached by men all the time, so even when the top players leave the football world, they never think to be involved.”

Furthermore, as a former coach of JEF United Ladies Youth and General Manager, Kobayashi was intent on employing as many female coaches as possible. It was not merely a personnel change, but a challenge to widespread social attitudes.

“When I started to employ female coaches, the girls’ parents asked why the coach wasn’t a man. But gradually, we started to make it equal – they didn’t talk about the gender, but about the quality of the coach.”

 

The mission to empower

In 2011, the same year Japan’s women won the World Cup, the domestic league was yet to become professional. Known as the Nadeshiko League, players would work during the day and train in the evenings.

The transition from an amateur to the current professional league required time, resilience and a change in perspective.

“The sports world in Japan is more traditional – it is dominated by men,” said Kobayashi.

“If you want to make the environment even, or (want) more women to come into the (football) world, you can change the mind of the players.”

Since 2021, the WE League has embodied a sense of growth and positive change for the women’s game. In name and nature, it looks to empower players, coaches and all involved in the industry.

“I was in charge of mission achievement for women’s empowerment. We wanted to educate the players, to inspire girls and women who watch the game.”

However, the drive to empower women in football was not without backlash and challenges.

“Some people don’t like that word: ’empowerment’. It’s too strong for them. Some women really appreciate it, but it’s not easy to change the mind of society through football,” Kobayashi admitted.

 

Growing and attracting talent

Although WE League clubs are accelerating youth development and expanding pathways across U15, U18 and first team football, Kobayashi acknowledged that the overall product must improve to bring foreign players to Japan and entice homegrown talent to stay.

“Most of the national team players go to Europe or North America. I don’t say it’s a problem, but from a young age, girls who can play in the WE League want to go abroad,” Kobayashi outlined.

Indeed, when looking at the starting XI in last month’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, only one player – Hana Takahashi – plays in the WE League.

But the key to attracting domestic and international players to the WE League, is aligning financial investment and industry attitudes.

“The reason why women’s football has developed in European countries is the social thinking – you have to be equal and have the same opportunities as men in football. The Japanese way of thinking, especially in the football world, is not that at all,” Kobayashi continued.

“When I speak to people at Spanish clubs, women’s football is not a charity, but an investment.”

“We have assets. We have good, young players, but we’re exporting them, so we need to import too.”

Indeed, Spain is a perfect example of what can happen when investment becomes intentional, not optional. Back-to-back UEFA Women’s Nations League titles, 90% television viewership increase since 2016, and record-breaking crowd numbers reflect what can happen when the industry aligns in vision and commitment.

Japan has the players to compete against any nation in the world. Purposeful investment, combined with its overall quality of players and style, could transform the WE League into a true, global powerhouse.

 

The vision for the future

Moving forward, Kobayashi hopes that girls progressing through JEF United’s academies develop confidence and resilience, whether as players or people.

“We want to make the girls – even if they aren’t in JEF United – continue playing football and continue to be leaders,” Kobayashi said.

“Some of them have a dream to be a coach or a leader off the field too, so that’s one of the attributes we want to develop.”

This resilience, reflected by the club’s ‘never give up’ philosophy, is testament to the vision of empowerment championed by Kobayashi across the women’s game.

Even in the face of social obstacles and a lack of financial investment, perseverance and hard work is at the bedrock of women’s football in Japan. It is not just that these values exist, but that they are consistently manifested on and off the pitch, which can show future generations that football is a sport for all – men and women alike.

 

Final thoughts

There is no limit to what the WE League and the national team can achieve if given the resources it deserves. All the ingredients are there: individual quality, a distinct playing style, football philosophy and ambitions to grow.

By following the example of industry leaders like Kobayashi, women’s football in Japan can hopefully continue to make waves of impact – in the sporting landscape and society as a whole.

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