KAM Melbourne to acquire majority stake in Western United FC

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Image credit: Western United

KAM Melbourne has confirmed its agreement to acquire a majority stake in the Western United Football Club and its parent company Western Melbourne Group.

Since launching in 2018, Western United Football Club (WUFC) has quickly made its mark on the pitch.

In 2019, Western Melbourne Group (WMG) and its group of investors set out with a bold vision: to create a vibrant, sports-led hub blending retail, residential living, and football in Melbourne’s west.

Their 62.5-hectare site in Tarneit, 25 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD is at the heart of a groundbreaking public-private partnership with Wyndham City Council, focused on building world-class sports infrastructure.

At the core of this development will be a purpose-built football stadium and a home for an elite professional club.

KAM Melbourne, part of KAM Sports, brings specialist knowledge and will work alongside WMG’s partners and stakeholders to bring this vision to life.

The company is headed by Chairman and co-founder Maciek (MG) Kaminski, and CEO and co-founder Mikhail Kaminski.

With a strong background in managing large-scale residential and commercial projects in the US and Europe, the team brings deep expertise in investment, development, and project structuring.

Looking ahead, WUFC will be part of a broader, international multi-club strategy focused on football development. The goal is to create elite-level opportunities and pathways for Australian talent.

With over 40 years’ experience in both public and private real estate sectors, the Kaminski family is well-placed to lead this ambitious project.

For them, combining their global property development experience with football club ownership has been a long-held dream—and WUFC, along with the larger WMG project, offers the perfect way to make that dream a reality in Australia.

Chairman of Western Melbourne Group Jason Sourasis expressed his excitement ahead of the acquisition.

“We are thrilled by the significant investment and commitment from KAM Melbourne,” Mr Sourasis said in a press release.

“It was important to partner with a group that aligned with our values and believed in the vision.

“It has been an intensive 12-month due diligence process, in which KAM Melbourne took the time to truly understand our vision and the role it will play in shaping the needs of a fast-growing community.”

The deal is still pending and will go ahead once it receives the required approvals from Wyndham City, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), and Football Australia (FA).

Western United and the Western Melbourne Group will provide further comments once the necessary regulatory approves have been finalised.

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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.

 

 

 

 

‘We Can Do So Much More’: Players Take Control of the A-League Women’s Future

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Image Credit: One Nil

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has launched Ready For Takeoff – The Players’ Vision for the A-League Women, a player-led roadmap outlining the future direction of the domestic women’s competition.

Unveiled on Wednesday at Ultra Football in Melbourne, the initiative places current A-League Women players at the centre of discussion. Elevating the debate around professionalism, sustainability and long-term growth of the league.

The Players’ Vision for the A-League Women – Image Credit: One Nil

The vision, developed through consultation with players across the competition, calls for improved professional standards, greater investment and governance structures that reflect the specific needs of the women’s game. It comes amid ongoing conversations about contract security, season length and the transition toward full-time professionalism.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch – Image Credit: One Nil

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said players had been clear about the sacrifices required to continue competing in the league.

“We’ve heard from players about the struggle and sacrifices they continue to make to play the game they love, but we can do so much more than this,” Busch said. “A fully professional game here in Australia is crucial to creating the next generation of Matildas, but also to ensure we reach our potential and win a FIFA World Cup.”

PFA Deputy Chair Elise Kellond-Knight and A-League Women players Grace Maher and Dylan Holmes also addressed media, reinforcing the importance of player voices in shaping the future of the competition.

The PFA said Ready For Takeoff provides a clear, achievable framework for the continued evolution of the A-League Women. The initiative urges stakeholders to work collaboratively with players to ensure the league’s growth matches the talent, ambition and momentum of women’s football in Australia.

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