Long-term Central Coast Mariners partner gets due reward

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DMC Conveyor Services and Central Coast Mariners
Image via DMC Conveyors

DMC Conveyors, a vital long-term supporter of Central Coast Mariners, was rewarded on the eve of the new A-League seasons – as the Mariners Women front-of-shirt sponsor.

The club’s partnership with DMC Conveyors began in 2018 and during that time DMC has been a financial backer of both the Mariners men’s side and their academy.

Hence, this move to support the Mariners Women’s side means that DMC will have acted as a major benefactor for the club across all of its major sports programs.

DMC is a local business, and the partnership has been spearheaded by its founders Michael and Jennifer Dovey.

In the club’s press release, it citied the couple’s involvement in helping the Mariners fund and organise community focused events including the clubs Christmas Carols and annual New Years Eve Fireworks. The pair have also been quietly supporting other grassroots clubs in the Central Coast region.

It is apparent that DMC is a vital partner to the Mariners, and it is great to see the club reward an important on-going sponsor.

Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp reflected the importance of DMC for the club and expressed their pride in having DMC feature so prominently with their Women’s side.

“We are moved by Michael and Jennifer’s commitment to the growth of women’s football here on the Coast. Their decision to continue this generous support for our Women’s team reflects their genuine passion for the sport and their belief in its potential to inspire and empower young athletes in our community,” he said via press release.

“This partnership is not just about football, but also a collaborative approach to the shared vision we have about building up and supporting the Central Coast Community. We are grateful and appreciative of DMC’s continued support, and we look forward to achieving great success together on and off the pitch.”

DMC Founder Michael Dovey expressed his firm’s pleasure at being featured and expressed their ongoing commitment to the Mariners both on and off the pitch.

“After six years with the Mariners and with DMC’s commitment to the club growing annually, the time felt right to become a major partner of the Central Coast Mariners leading into their return to the A-League Women’s competition,” he added via media release.

“After the success of the World Cup it is an extremely exciting time for Women’s football in Australia. DMC are pleased to be able to continue giving back to the Central Coast through our sponsorship of the Mariners, with it being amazing to have a professional women’s team back in the region.

“To have a clear pathway for young girls and women on the Coast is exciting. Heading into the team’s first season we want to see them not only compete, but also be successful and challenge, which we know will happen. To be able to help support the team through this sponsorship and other means is something that DMC are really proud of.”

This announcement on the eve of the new A-League season is a great sign that as the competition grows, where the league’s traditional and local sponsors will continue to feature in the game.

It is nice to see a local business be rewarded and this deal is sure to benefit not only the Mariners and DMC but also the wider community that both partners have been so keen to support historically.

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FQ Reinstates WinterFest 2026 at the Sunshine Coast

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Image Credit: Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed WinterFest, the state’s premier junior football carnival, will return to the Sunshine Coast from 1 to 5 July 2026; this time at a new home in the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, the five-day carnival will span USC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC, hosting Under 9 to Under 11 Boys and Under 11 Girls teams from every corner of the state.

WinterFest is not simply a competition. Within FQ’s development framework, the carnival serves a dual function, to expose elite junior players to FQ Technical staff, whilst providing emerging referees with live matchday experience under the guidance of senior officials.

“The carnival plays an important role in nurturing not only our most promising young players, who can showcase their abilities in front of FQ Technical staff who continue to monitor their ongoing development, but also our cohort of emerging referees from across Queensland,” said Ryan Fett, FQ General Manager- Football, Infrastructure & Club Development.

The shift to USC is deliberate. FQ has signalled an intention to elevate the event experience year-on-year, and a university campus venue, with its infrastructure and capacity, reflects that ambition more than a traditional football ground would.

Beyond the Pitch

The tournament’s footprint, however, extends well beyond the pitch. With thousands of visiting families descending on the region across five days, WinterFest functions as a significant economic activation for the Sunshine Coast during what is otherwise a quieter winter period.

“WinterFest brings enormous energy to the region, the USC and Buderim fields will be buzzing and the talent on show outstanding,” said Sunshine Coast Resilient Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg.

The language- “Resilient Economy”- is worth noting. Landsberg’s portfolio title alone signals how local government now frames junior sport: not as community goodwill, but as economic infrastructure.

His reference to Brisbane 2032 made that explicit. “As we move closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these experiences are invaluable for aspiring athletes and equally important for boosting local tourism and supporting our businesses during the winter period.”

Whether a regional Under 11 carnival genuinely feeds an Olympic pipeline is debatable. What isn’t is that the political incentive to frame it that way, with 2032 drawing every level of government into the orbit of sport, is very real.

Football NSW partners with Deploy for Association Championships

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Image credit: Deploy Football

In an announcement released on Thursday this week, Football NSW revealed Deploy as the Naming Rights Partner of the Football NSW Association Championships.

New competition, new talents

The Association Championships, set to take place in July 2026 at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, will replace the former Association Youth League.

Although the tournament has changed name, its purpose remains consistent: giving youth players the platform to showcase their talent on the football pitch.

In a display of unity and collective ambition, 18 Associations across New South Wales will enter representative teams, each one featuring gifted grassroots players looking to prove themselves against their peers.

“The Deploy FNSW Association Championships will provide a fantastic platform for our Associations to come together and celebrate the best of elite community football,” said Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas via official press release.

“This tournament is all about giving young players, coaches, and referees from every corner of the state a chance to shine and develop in a competitive, supportive environment.”

The partnership between Deploy and Football NSW, therefore, is not merely about a name alteration. It is a collaboration which presents future grassroots talents with a platform and opportunity to compete.

 

Built on shared values

No partnership can succeed without both parties sharing a common goal or set of values. In this case, the alliance between Football NSW and Deploy is built on a commitment to supporting grassroots football and supplying players with quality resources and experiences to showcase their talent.

“Deploy is proud to partner with Football NSW as the Naming Rights Partner of the Association Championships. Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and building future leaders, both on and off the field,” explained Chief Commercial Officer at Deploy, Kurt Johnson.

“As long-time partners with Football NSW, this aligns perfectly with our strategy of creating balls designed for each age and skill level of the game, ranging from junior training balls to professional match balls perfect for the competitive environment like the Association Championships.”

Furthermore, with hundreds of participants including players, referees, coaches and supporters due to attend the tournament, the partnership’s impact will extend right across the state of New South Wales.

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