Liverpool Olympic FC enjoy game-changing grant from NSW Football Legacy Fund

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Liverpool Olympic FC NSW grant
Image via Football NSW & South West Voice

Liverpool Olympic FC received over $60,000 as part of the NSW Football Legacy Fund initiative, helping to upgrade its footballing facilities in Sydney’s South West.

The initiative, which was announced in 2022 as a collaboration between the NSW Government, Football NSW and Northern NSW Football Federation, provides up to $6.21 million to federation-affiliated, not for profit football clubs and associations.

The fund aims to help clubs in two areas, participation and infrastructure, with its goal being to capture the increasing interest in football following the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Liverpool Olympic are one of many clubs in NSW to be successful in their funding application, with money going towards upgrading its existing clubrooms and football amenities.

The club, founded in 1983, have been playing football at Hoxton Park Reserve in Hinchinbrook since 1990 and have not had a significant facilities upgrade since 2002.

Speaking to the South West Voice, Liverpool Olympic FC’s Committee spokesperson Damien Gauci believes the club’s selection will be crucial to its future.

“The funds from these grants will assist the club in their plans to have all players training and playing games in suitable facilities with safe equipment, including our disability group, SNAPParoos,’’ Gauci said.

Football NSW and Southern Districts Football Association, of which Olympic are a member, have long-collaborated on the SNAPParoos program that provides an environment for children and adults with disabilities to participate in football.

As recognised by Gauci, the grant will have a lasting effect on the club’s vision of making football accessible for all ages, genders and abilities.

Another key part of the legacy fund is the equitable provision of infrastructure and resources for women’s football specifically, demonstrating a commitment to Football Australia’s overarching Legacy ‘23 strategy that aims to have 50% female participation by 2027.

Liverpool Olympic, alongside other clubs in NSW, will now have greater capacity to make football not just a more inclusive participatory experience, but to be at the forefront of their respective communities.

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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