Football Victoria induct Karen Hocking as Life Member

Liam Watson05/06/2020 6:00 am04/08/2021

Football Victoria have held their Annual General Meeting (AGM), where they inducted Karen Hocking as their latest Life Member.

The AGM by Football Victoria, coinciding with the release of the 2019 Annual Report, was held via video conference due to Covid-19 restrictions.

On Monday May 25^th, the meeting was attended by over 50 Life Members and Members across the Victorian football community.

On the night, it was made official that Hocking would be inducted as a Life Member following the amount of work she has done over her lifetime.

Hocking has been the Shepparton Junior Association secretary for almost two decades – a driving force behind the growth of football throughout the Goulburn Valley region.

Her commitments for the game extend to managing SJSA Academy Player Development Program, being the Vice President of the Victorian Country Leagues Football Association and as the SJSA Registrations Officer.

Hocking’s passion for grassroots football and the tireless effort to make sure every child gets the opportunity to play they game they love has been formally recognised by Football Victoria as their inducted Life Member.

Speaking to Shepparton News, she praised her fellow team at SJSA as she receives this major honour.

“You don’t do it for accolades, it’s felt like much more of a team effort than an individual one,” she said.

“It’s really lovely to be recognised, but I feel the whole association deserves this award.”

Football Victoria’s 2019 Annual Report featured how they would respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, including it’s effect on the sport – a topic of discussion for Members on the night.

“Football Victoria will continue to work tirelessly on understanding the impact of the virus on all stakeholders in the community,” the member federation said.

“The Board thanked the Members, Life Members, our 355 clubs, coaches, referees, community volunteers and all who support football for their incredible contribution – especially during the challenging times we are all facing at the moment.”

Photo Credit: Shepparton News

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Liam Watson

Liam Watson is the Managing Editor at Soccerscene. He reports widely on football policy, industry matters and technology.

Acun Medya Group secures Hull City takeover

Nick Scialpi3 days ago27/01/2022

EFL Championship side Hull City AFC has been purchased by Turkish production company Acun Medya Group, headed by Acun Ilicali.

EFL Championship side Hull City AFC has been purchased by Turkish production company Acun Medya Group, for a fee in the reported region of $37 million AUD.

Acun Ilicali, a 52-year-old businessman and owner of Acun Medya Group, was introduced to fans at the MKM Stadium prior to the club’s 2-0 win at home over Blackburn Rovers.

The takeover brings the controversial ownership of the Allam family to an end, much to the delight of fans after a roller coaster 11 years in charge.

Despite overseeing two promotions to the Premier League, an FA Cup Final and Hull’s first-ever foray into a European competition through the UEFA Europa League in 2014, the Allam family became increasingly unpopular with the fans.

The unpopularity of the Allam family is due to many different reasons, however it all started when the family proposed a name change to ‘Hull Tigers’ back in 2013. The move was ultimately blocked by authorities a year later, which frustrated the Allams and they then put the club up for sale, straining the relationship with fans and seeing a decline in attendances at home fixtures.

The new ownership will look to win back supporters and turn the negative tide.

Acun Medya Group Owner, Acun Ilicali:

“I am happy that I have fulfilled one of my biggest dreams. We are starting a beautiful journey with Hull City. We have many big dreams and goals to achieve together with our fans,” he said.

Outgoing Vice-Chairman Ehab Allam:

“During our tenure, we have worked hard to create a sustainable model and successful academy set-up, giving the club the foundations it needs for the future,” he said.

“There have been lots of ups and downs over the last 11 years or so, but we will take some very fond memories with us… We have taken a very business-led approach to running the club and I truly hope Acun can rebuild the relationship with the fanbase and also bring back the success on the pitch that fans crave and deserve.”

Hertha Berlin pushing hard for stadium upgrade

Nick Scialpi5 days ago25/01/2022

Top-flight German football club Hertha Berlin has reiterated its intention to develop a new stadium nearby to the Olympiastadion.

Top-flight German football club Hertha Berlin has reiterated its intention to develop a new stadium nearby to its current home, the Olympiastadion, releasing fresh renderings of its vision for such a project.

The club has been attempting to progress plans to develop a new home for several years and in February 2020 stated that the OlympiaPark would be the preferred location.

In November 2018, Hertha confirmed it was targeting an opening date in July 2025 for a new-look Olympiastadion, with preference to be building a completely new stadium rather than renovating the current one.

The current Olympiastadion has been home to Hertha Berlin for almost 60 years, and has a capacity of around 74,000. However, the club is seeking a more intimate stadium for its fans, as well as the inclusion of an athletics track.

Hertha’s former stadium commissioner, Klaus Teichert, withdrew an application for a decision to be made on the location for a new stadium, with Brandenburg also put forward as a potential location.

Hertha Berlin Chief Financial Officer, Ingo Schiller:

“We have entered into talks with the new government and are working hard to set the course for our new stadium in 2022,” he said.

“The stadium is the club’s most important project, especially in terms of the economic situation.”

There is a lot of political support necessary for the project to get approved, as the potential worksite currently includes residential apartments, a big reason for negotiations coming to a stall at times.

A resident spoke to local radio station rbb24:

“You talk about ir, but not with us. We are still not prepared to sell our apartments in Sportforumstraße or to negotiate about them,” they said.

“It is very unfortunate that our residents in Sportforumstraße are once again unsettled by this uncoordinated approach.”

Hertha Berlin and backers of the new stadium have been in negotiation with Berlin’s sports senator, Iris Spranger, with talks to continue over the next month.