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Isuzu UTE Australia announced as naming rights partner for A-League Men
The A-Leagues have announced Isuzu Ute Australia will be the naming rights partner of its men’s competition for the next three years.
The competition will be officially known as the ‘Isuzu Ute A-League Men’.
Commencing with the upcoming 2021/2022 season, the partnership will also include the naming rights to the A-League Men’s Finals Series, with Isuzu Ute Australia becoming the Official Automotive Partner of the A-Leagues’ Men, Women, Youth and E-Sports Leagues.
“This is an historic day for the A-Leagues and we’re proud to have partnered with Isuzu UTE Australia, one of Australia’s top-selling automotive brands, with rapid growth across its D-MAX Ute and MU-X SUV ranges. We have an ambitious vision for the future of professional football and IUA will be a key partner on this journey,” said Danny Townsend, Managing Director, A-Leagues.
Hiroyasu Sato, Managing Director of Isuzu Ute Australia, spoke about the new partnership with the A-Leagues.
“We are delighted to be joining forces with the fastest growing sport in the country. The A-Leagues bring together the best of football in Australia – the game’s unparalleled diversity, reach and participation is key to our strategy to connect with modern Australia,” he said.
“We recognize that football is a great vehicle for bringing families and communities together, from amateur weekend players through to the professional A-Leagues. It’s a natural fit with our customers who share that spirit of excitement and adventure with football fans, and we look forward to being able to support the A-Leagues and Network 10 to bring football to all Australians.”
Ant Hearne, Chief Commercial Officer for the A-Leagues, said of the deal: “The A-Leagues are all about inspiring everyone to play their own way, on and off the pitch, so there is a natural fit with the Isuzu UTE brand values of adventure, reliability and performance. Football fans and Ute and SUV lovers live for the weekend and so we are excited to explore this connection with our audiences.”
The naming rights agreement will cover a broad range of marketing opportunities, including player kit branding, signage rights, as well as digital content and activation rights at all A-League Men’s and Women’s matches.
The company has also committed to providing vehicles for the APL and A-League Clubs for on-the-ground support.
Philip Panas is a sports journalist with Soccerscene.
He reports widely on football policy and industry matters, drawing on his knowledge and passion of the game.
Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has confirmed this year’s recipients of its annual scholarships, rewarding members for outstanding professional and personal development.
The scholarships are named after previous Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros and former Socceroo Craig Foster, honouring players developing in areas such as education, business, media, advocacy and community impact.
Each recipient receives $2,500 towards their development.
The PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarships are awarded to two players each year who demonstrate excellence in education or business.
The scholarships celebrate the drive and dedication of players who are committed to their professional development.
Wellington Phoenix’s Annalie Longo received the award for pursuing her coaching credentials through the Oceania Football Confederation A Licence, while also diving into the football media scene as a commentator with Sky Sport.
The New Zealand international is also the creator of the Fantails junior programme in her home country.
This initiative aims to engage young girls in football as part of New Zealand Football’s legacy plan for hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Western Sydney Wanderer’s defender Gabriel Cleur also received the PFA Kimon Taliadoros scholarship, for his personal development. He is studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and has completed a Diploma of Counselling.
Cleur has also done work regarding mental health and well-being, serving as a well-being officer and mental coach at Blacktown Spartans, supporting the NPL2 boys team.
The PFA Craig Foster Scholarships acknowledges the important role footballers play in shaping their communities and society and is selected by the PFA Executive.
Adelaide United’s Chelsie Dawber is one of the recipients of the scholarship where she has made a significant impact in her community via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and recently launched her own business to support underprivileged communities in South Australia.
Brisbane Roar’s Chelsea Blissett is the second recipient of the PFA Craig Foster scholarship through her work in spreading awareness regarding eating disorders.
The former Melbourne City player is currently studying a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, aiming to raise awareness and provide education for community football clubs, furthering her impact on public health.
Rita Mankowska, the PFA’s Head of Player Development, congratulated the players and acknowledged their professional and personal development:
“Personal development is at the heart of what we do at the PFA, and these scholarships reflect our commitment to supporting players’ lives on and off the pitch,” she said in a media release.
“Each of the recipients this year are not only developing themselves but are ensuring their journey of self-development is also impacting others.
“Whether that is through initiatives in grassroots football or the broader community, these players demonstrate the importance of holistic career development.”
The PFA also released its annual Player Development Report highlighting record investments in mental health support and education funding for PFA members.
In the past 12 months, the organisation also facilitated coaching courses, health checks, and expanded support for past players.
The program continues to promote a player-centric approach within the professional football industry.
Following a distinguished coaching career that included reaching the heights of the Premier League, Scott Miller is now embracing the next chapter of his professional journey.
No stranger to Australian football, Miller was Head Coach of the Newcastle Jets Men’s team and as an assistant coach for the Socceroos leading up to the 2014 World Cup. With extensive international experience from his time at Fulham FC, where he witnessed everything coaching had to offer, Miller decided in 2023 that a new direction was needed.
Now, as the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel, a Gen AI sports technology company, Miller combines his passion for coaching and sports technology to deliver valuable solutions to sporting organisations. iReel’s vision is to become the leading provider of Gen AI in sport, and Miller is at the forefront of this innovative journey.
In this interview with Soccerscene, Miller reflects on his 17 years in coaching, the lessons he’s learned from working overseas compared to Australia, how iReel presented itself as an opportunity, and why sports technology is essential in today’s sporting landscape.
You’ve had experience from the Premier League to the A-League. How has your journey been so far?
Scott Miller: My background originally stems from playing in the Victorian Premier League. I signed with former NSL team the Gippsland Falcons as a youth and came through their youth system, but I didn’t make a senior appearance due to a serious leg injury. This injury gave me clarity about the longevity of a career in sport as an athlete, which led me to pursue a degree in exercise science at ACU in Melbourne.
During that time, my interest in physical performance and its alignment with football grew. I took the initiative to make as many contacts overseas as possible, which was quite a challenge pre-LinkedIn, relying on handwritten letters. I was fortunate to have family in London, which allowed me to explore opportunities there. I landed a role at Fulham FC, starting in their academy system and eventually working with the first team. Within six months, I was offered a full-time contract with the Premier League team, marking the beginning of an exciting 10-year journey.
My time at Fulham was filled with learning opportunities, including earning my UEFA A license and a degree in sports psychology. I worked with top-level managers like Chris Coleman, Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes, Martin Jol, René Meulensteen, and Felix Magath. These experiences helped shape my career, leading to a role as an assistant coach, where we achieved multiple top-10 finishes and reached the 2010 Europa League final against Atletico Madrid—a highlight of my time at Fulham.
Were you always looking to get into coaching, or did your injury force your hand?
Scott Miller: Coaching wasn’t my initial plan, but it became a natural evolution for me. Roy Hodgson, in particular, inspired me with his methodology and the impact he had on players. With my background in high performance, football knowledge, and a passion for psychology, I naturally transitioned into coaching. By the age of 27, I was delivering sessions to Premier League players, covering various aspects of training outside of tactics.
My journey into coaching continued when Ange Postecoglou invited me to join him as an assistant with the Socceroos, which was a fantastic experience. Later, he recommended me for the head coaching role at Newcastle Jets at just 33 years old. My time working with some of the best players and coaches in the Premier League was invaluable in shaping my approach to coaching.
What insights can you share from your experiences in the UK?
Scott Miller: Football culture in the UK is deeply ingrained—it’s more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. The Premier League is a global phenomenon, vastly larger in scale than the A-League, with financial and commercial resources that drive innovation and performance.
Another key difference is the highly competitive environment. The standards are ruthless, and if you’re not up to par, you’re quickly replaced. This applies to everyone, from coaches to players and support staff. I experienced this firsthand, often finding myself as the cultural link between outgoing and incoming managers due to my role as a central figure in the club’s operations.
The financial resources available in the Premier League also allow for greater opportunities for coaches to build sustainable careers. The remuneration packages are significantly different compared to the A-League, providing a stable foundation for those working in football.
You are now the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel. How did that transition come about?
Scott Miller: Coaching has been a significant part of my life since I was 24, but after nearly two decades, I felt the need for a new challenge. I wanted to innovate, develop new skills, and contribute to a space that is pioneering and future-focused. The opportunity to join iReel came at the perfect time.
James Doyle, the founder of iReel, reached out to me, and knowing him for some time, I was excited to join the venture. iReel is at the forefront of Gen AI in sports, and the chance to build technology that can transform the sporting industry was too good to pass up. It’s a different kind of challenge but one that’s equally rewarding.
Why would you recommend a career in sports technology for post-playing careers?
Scott Miller: Sports technology offers a unique opportunity for players looking to transition after their playing careers. The skills developed in sports, such as communication, leadership, and performance, are highly transferable to the tech space.
The sports tech industry allows you to stay involved in the sport while also building its future. Unlike coaching or analysis roles that are often dependent on performance results, a career in sports tech lets you create something from the ground up. It’s a powerful and fulfilling path that I highly recommend to anyone looking to stay connected to sports in a meaningful way.
For full information on iReel and to contact the team, you can do so here.
