Life in the A-League bubble; Soccerscene exclusive with Western United’s Steven Lustica

When Steven Lustica signed on to join Western United in early 2020, little did he know that the world was within weeks of chaos.

By March, the future repercussions of the global pandemic were beginning to become clear and the 29-year-old’s return to Australia for the second half of the A-League season came to a halt before it even began.

The former Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Hadjuk Split midfielder had most recently been plying his trade in Uzbekistan with Qizilqum Zarafshon; playing 14 times and scoring once. Despite interest from a few Asian clubs, a conversation with one of Australia’s most successful young coaches brought him back home for the short term future and he was soon to remind domestic fans of his talent during Western United’s run to the finals.

In this Soccerscene exclusive, I asked the Canberra born Lustica about the behind the scene realities of A-League football in 2020, his return to Australia, Mark Rudan and his thoughts around the recent impasse between the club owners, players and the PFA, as well as the potential ramifications for the league moving forward.

In typically stoic and positive fashion, Lustica was quick to sight the benefits of being locked away as a squad for the final two months of the season.

“Life in the bubble during COVID provided many challenges and difficulties that players had never experienced before, yet spending 7 weeks in a hotel together also provided us with the opportunity to gel as a team; not only on the field but off it”, he said.

Forced to postpone marriage plans with fiance Marina when the restrictions made the mere notion of organising a wedding impossible, Lustica credits Western United and the camaraderie built in isolation with helping players manage the most unusual of situations.

“At times it wasn’t easy being away from family for such an extended period of time but our club was great in helping us get through it and make the experience memorable”, he said.

“Obviously once COVID hit it was a big shock for everyone. No one knew what to expect or what was in store for us. The club stayed strong during this period and provided a fantastic support network which allowed us to come back fit and ready to go once the restrictions were lifted.”

“It was a credit to the club, staff and players that we all came back in such great condition and with a positive attitude to finish off the season the best we could. It was a crazy ride going into the bubble and then finishing the season off but one that we are very proud of and now we can focus on building from our first season”.

The spirit and unity in the United camp were on clear view after the season restart, those elements of team culture Lustica had sensed immediately upon his arrival.

“I signed with the club in January so I missed the first 6 months of the season. However, from my first training session I felt a real positive energy around the place. The boss gave the players the freedom and confidence to go out there and express themselves.”

The boss of whom he speaks is of course, Mark Rudan. The former Wellington Phoenix and Sydney United 58 manager had obviously made an instant impression.

“Mark Rudan is a very demanding coach in a positive way. He sets his goals very high and expects the same from all his players and staff. He provides positive energy and really instilled a winning mentality into the team. He challenges all his players to improve each and every game.”

“I believe the success we had this first season is heavily attributed to his style. He has created a great culture around the club, where there is a balance between working hard and enjoying training every day to improve and achieve our goals”.

Recent discussions between the club owners and the PFA had many concerned that the new A-League season could well be under threat; should a deal prove elusive. The parties eventually agreed on one and with a reduced salary cap and a host of local and foreign talent having departed, I asked Lustica if he was pleased with the outcome.

“I am happy to see an agreement has been reached between clubs, players and the PFA. This is an important step for us all, however I do think the lower salary cap will have a major effect on keeping and attracting quality players in the A league. It is no secret that Asia, especially India, are enticing players with attractive salary packages that the A league can’t match. This will only diminish the quality of the A League.”

Sadly, Lustica’s words may well ring true in the short term future. However, the man who dons the number 10 shirt for Western United has a few other things on his mind. Improving on the fifth place finish achieved in the club’s inaugural season and avenging the loss to Melbourne City in the A-League semi-finals will drive both he and the team.

However, I suspect Lustica is desperately hoping that the ‘new normal’ which we are about to enter also allows those wedding plans to click back into gear and sees Mr and Mrs Lustica finally able to tie the knot.

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Auckland FC champions $300 Million arena development at Western Springs

Auckland FC has thrown its weight behind a transformative $200-300 million proposal to redevelop Western Springs Stadium into a cutting-edge, multi-purpose venue that would serve as the club’s permanent home ground.

The Auckland Arena project, spearheaded by Auckland FC investor Ali Williams, aims to establish a 12,500-15,000-seat stadium alongside expanded facilities capable of hosting concerts for up to 25,000 patrons.

The ambitious development would incorporate event spaces and community sporting facilities, positioning itself as a comprehensive entertainment precinct.

Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the current owners and operators of Western Springs Stadium, have commenced public consultation on the venue’s future, with Auckland Arena representing the preferred option for the A-League club.

Ali Williams, a former All Blacks lock and prominent backer of the proposal, emphasised the broader community benefits beyond football.

“This isn’t just about giving Auckland FC a home of our own, it’s about creating a community asset we as Aucklanders can all enjoy – whether we’re regularly going to games or not,” Williams said via Auckland FC official media post.

The proposal’s financing structure presents a significant drawcard for ratepayers, with the entire development to be privately funded.

 Under the arrangement, Auckland Council would grant a 50-year ground lease with two optional 25-year extensions, ensuring public ownership of the land whilst transferring all construction, operating and maintenance costs to private investors.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited preliminary assessment suggests the arrangement could deliver ratepayer savings of approximately $18.1 million over the next five decades, as buildings would revert to council ownership at the lease’s conclusion.

Auckland FC has mobilised its supporter base to advocate for the proposal through Auckland Council’s submission process.

Fans can lodge their support online through the council’s consultation portal or submit written feedback via forms available at Mt Albert, Point Chevalier, Grey Lynn and Central City libraries.

The consultation period closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, 15 June 2025, with the club urging supporters to select “Option One – Auckland Arena” in their submissions.

The development represents a significant step forward for Auckland FC’s infrastructure ambitions and could establish a new benchmark for privately funded sporting venues in New Zealand’s largest city.

Building an inclusive sports future: Interview with No Limits Sports CEO Josh Clark

No Limits Sports is an organisation dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of sport in children by providing safe, inclusive, and engaging programs that build fundamental skills, promote fairness and sportsmanship and uphold strong safeguarding standards.

The company was founded 13 years ago, starting as a “one-man operation”, and has since expanded into a nationwide provider with over 750 coaches and a wide range of programs delivered across both metro and regional areas. 

Speaking to Soccerscene, CEO of No Limits Sports Josh Clark shares how he grew the company from a business ran by just one person into a national organisation focused on inclusive, accessible sports programs for children of all abilities and backgrounds—overcoming recruitment challenges, expanding into regional areas, and embracing Indigenous culture—while continuing to grow and eyeing international opportunities.

Can you tell us about your responsibilities as CEO and how No Limits Sports has grown and changed since it began?

Josh Clark: As CEO, I’m involved in nearly every part of the business. My responsibilities span from recruitment and managing staff to overseeing marketing, sales, bookings, and logistics, right down to handling payroll and invoicing. With a large team of coaches operating nationwide and a sizable office team, there’s always something that needs attention.

When I first launched No Limits Sports, it was just me — a one-person operation. Since then, we’ve grown into a national organisation. That growth has brought more complexity and diversity to what we do, which has naturally changed the nature of my role. I began in a hands-on coaching capacity, but this quickly changed. I’ve transitioned into more of a strategic leadership position, focused on long-term development and guiding the broader direction and growth of the company.

Were there any initial challenges you faced when expanding No Limits Sports and if so how did you overcome them?

Josh Clark: One of the biggest challenges we faced—both in the early days and still to some extent today—has been recruiting the right staff. We’re always looking for experienced and qualified coaches, but we also believe in investing in emerging talent. We often bring on younger, less experienced individuals who show potential and offer them training and upskilling opportunities to help them grow into the role.

In recent years, we’ve implemented a robust recruitment and HR software system, which has significantly streamlined our hiring and onboarding processes. It’s made it much easier to manage applications, track coach development, and stay organised, especially as we’ve expanded into regional areas beyond the metro centres. That investment in technology has been a key part of overcoming the recruitment challenge and supporting our continued growth.

How does No Limits Sports ensure that its programs remain inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds?

Josh Clark: I’ve been deeply passionate about ensuring our programs are inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds. We’ve proudly partnered with the Special Olympics for over 10 years, and we work closely with numerous special schools and support units across the country to deliver tailored sports programs for students with additional needs.

We’ve developed our own inclusive programs, as well as using The Special Olympics’ programs to ensure that all children can participate regardless of their ability. A key part of this commitment has been investing in our coaching team, providing them with specialist training and qualifications so they feel confident and capable of delivering inclusive sessions.

Another priority for us is reaching students in regional and remote communities. Many other sports providers don’t have the capacity to operate in these areas, but we’ve made it a core part of our mission. We deliver programs in places like Alice Springs, Port Lincoln, Devonport, Lismore, Gladstone, and so many other regional towns.

Inclusivity, both in terms of ability and geography, is central to what we do. Whether it’s special schools, regional communities, or mainstream metro programs, we’re committed to making quality sports experiences available to every child, no matter where they live or what their needs may be.

Image credit: No Limits Sports

Can you tell us a bit about the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) the significance of incorporating it into your curriculum and the impact it has on participants?

Josh Clark: Our Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) program is based on the Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games resource developed by the Australian Sports Commission. This collection features over 140 games from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures across Australia. We’ve carefully selected the most engaging and popular games that really resonate with students and work well in a school or community setting.

The program is rooted in extensive research and documentation of traditional games from diverse Indigenous communities. We make a point to honour the cultural origins of each game by sharing its traditional name, the region it comes from, and the original materials used. For example, some games were originally played with kangaroo skin balls—while we now use modern equipment, we ensure students still understand the historical context and cultural significance.

The TIG program is especially popular around NAIDOC Week, with many schools and OOSH & vacation care services incorporating it into their celebrations. Beyond the cultural learning, the games themselves are incredibly fun and active—many involve teamwork, ball handling, and evasion skills, which translate well to a variety of other sports. Most importantly, the program gives students a meaningful way to engage with and appreciate Indigenous culture through physical activity, often playing games they’ve never experienced before.

What feedback have you received regarding the impact of No Limits Sports programs on children’s development?

Josh Clark: Our goal as a business is to help children develop a lifelong love of sport by giving them access to try lots of different sports and activities, making sure it’s done in a really inclusive and fun environment. We regularly receive positive feedback from schools, parents, OOSH services, and the clubs we collaborate with, which reassures us that we’re making an impact.

The most meaningful feedback, however, often comes from two key areas. First, from regional schools where students may not have previously had access to quality coaching or diverse sports programs. Second, from our inclusive sports programs, particularly those designed for children with additional needs. Hearing directly from students, parents, and schools in these spaces about the positive difference we’ve made is incredibly rewarding and reinforces why we do what we do.

Image credit: No Limits Sports

How is No Limits Sports currently tracking and what does the future hold for the company?

Josh Clark: We are growing rapidly, both in terms of the number of customers we work with and the size of our coaching team. We’ve seen consistent year-on-year growth and currently operate across all States and Territories in Australia. We’re also exploring opportunities to expand internationally, with New Zealand being a potential next step.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Brisbane Olympics in seven years adds an exciting layer of opportunity for the Australian sports industry. There’s been a renewed national focus on grassroots participation and talent development, which aligns perfectly with our mission. It’s an exciting time to be in this space, and our goal is to continue expanding our reach and increasing the number of quality coaches we provide across all communities.

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