Iona Sports Club a beneficiary of new lighting upgrades

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Iona Sports Club
Image credit: SCAS Connections

Iona Sports Club now has access to new lighting systems, through the Northern NSW Football Facilities Fund.

St Columbia Anglican School’s rear oval has been equipped with brand new LED lights through the partnership between NNSWF and Iona Sports Clubs. Established in 2018, Iona Sports Club caters to football, netball, basketball, and volleyball teams across various age categories, and over 75% of the teams comprise students from St Columbia Anglican School. The lighting upgrade will open up opportunities for training, and high-performance squads, and will allow matches to be played at night.

Supported by the Iona Sports Club committee, President Tony Judge and St Columbia Anglican School’s Business Manager Garry Clifton initiated plans to set up new lighting systems at the front and rear oval’s several years ago. Iona Sports Club through NNSWF Facilities Fund were successful in receiving their grant application of $43,250 in July 2019 in addition, St Columbia Anglican School matched the grant for the installation of field lights at the grounds.

Inauguration and inspection of the new lighting upgrade were done by members and representatives from Iona Sports Club, Northern NSW Football as well as council member staff and students of St Columbia School earlier this week.

Iona Sports Club Secretary Laurence Barlow spoke about the upgrades via press release:

“The lighting will allow for extended usage of the fields and enable clubs to train at night which makes participating in sport easier for families because they can train and compete after school and work and, staying active and healthy is an important part of our lifestyle in the Hastings region and we are committed to providing opportunities for our community to take part in physical activity.”

St Columbia Anglican School Campus Manager, Chris Moss added via press release:

“This season has seen a number of teams unable to host games due to wet weather and that may continue into next year. The addition of the lights will put the school in a position to transfer additional games to their fields, helping keep other clubs playing matches and, in the competition.”

Accessibility to the new lighting upgrades will enable the sporting fields to be utilised much more efficiently, during shorter winter days and also in the summer evenings.

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Western United ruled out of 2026–27 A-League season

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Image Credit: Western United FC

Western United’s participation in the A-Leagues has officially been terminated, ending the club’s immediate pathway back into Australia’s professional football competitions.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terminated Western United’s Club Participation Agreement on Monday, following months of discussions over the club’s future.

The decision comes after Western United’s attempt to secure a return to the A-League for the 2026–27 season was unsuccessful. Football Australia had previously determined that the club did not meet the requirements to retain its licence.

Western United has now turned its attention towards rebuilding the organisation under new ownership, with the club targeting a return to the A-League for the 2027–28 season.

In a statement, Western United said the termination creates an opportunity for “new custodians, new investment and a fresh start”, while emphasising the importance of maintaining the club’s identity in Melbourne’s west.

The club’s financial problems have been a major issue over the past two years with the club being placed into a conditional hibernation ahead of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The APL said its decision was made following the club’s breach of several obligations under the agreement, including compliance with Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations.

The club’s proposed 2027–28 comeback will therefore depend on securing new investment, addressing its outstanding operational requirements and demonstrating that it can meet the conditions necessary to re-enter the A-Leagues.

While Monday’s decision brings an end to Western United’s current participation agreement, the club maintains that it is not the end for Western United.

Now, the club that won the A-League grand final just four years ago, will now turn its attention to restructuring the business and building a sustainable platform for a potential return to Australia’s professional football landscape.

 

 

Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

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Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

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