Manly United announces training compensation reward for grassroots clubs

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Manly United have announced an agreement that will give grassroots clubs in the Manly Warringah Football Association a portion of any training compensation the NPL club receives for players who started their career in their local area.

The current FIFA rules state training compensation is allocated to clubs that play a role in a player’s development from the age of twelve onwards.

However, acknowledging the important role grassroots clubs have in the formative years of development, Manly United will reward all clubs that help develop young players.

“Manly United recognises the part grassroots clubs play in the Australian football pyramid and believes it is only fair that local clubs, who play a critical first part in helping football players to fall in love with the game, should be recognised,” said Manly United CEO David Mason.

“There has been a lot of talk lately about uniting football and bringing the entire football ecosystem together and if we are serious about that it has to include the grassroots football community, which is home to 96% of Australia’s football players.”

Wakehurst Football Club will be the first club to benefit from the agreement, with former Manly United and Sydney FC youngster Cameron Peupion recently signing for Brighton and Hove Albion in the EPL.

“Cameron started his football playing with Wakehurst and then joined Manly United as a 9-year-old, moved onto Sydney FC and is now about to live out a dream that started at Hews Parade and Lionel Watts Oval on the biggest stage of all,” Mason said.

“We would like to thank Danny Townsend and Sydney FC for the way we worked together on a fair Training Compensation arrangement with Brighton but we believe that cooperation should go all the way back to his junior club.

“The grassroots is always forgotten when Australian football thinks of the player pathway and just before he departed Australia Cameron came down to Cromer Park to spend some time with the SAP players and watched his mates play for Wakehurst before jetting off to England.”

17-year-old Peupion said: “This is fantastic that Wakehurst has been recognised. It is my first club, it’s where I started to play my football and along with Manly and Sydney FC have helped me get to the point that I’m about to chase my dream in the Premier League. It’s great that all the people who have helped me have been recognised.”

Wakehurst Football Club President Greg Dick was delighted with the news.

“This is a fantastic surprise and a great reward for Wakehurst Football Club. Cameron started his football with Wakehurst before moving onto Manly United and we think this new agreement is a tremendous recognition and reward for local clubs in the MWFA,” he said.

“Whilst training compensation applies from the age of 12 this agreement clearly demonstrates the MWFA’s leadership and commitment to the development of grassroots U6-U11 football.”

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Football Australia Announces Broadcasting Partnership with LIGR

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Image credit: Preston Lions FC

Football Australia has unveiled a partnership with Live Graphics Systems (LIGR) to establish a world-first centralised production and distribution model for over 3,500 matches annually across multiple competition tiers.

This ambitious undertaking is set to transform sports broadcasting efficiency whilst unlocking future commercial opportunities for Football Australia and its nine State and Territory Member Federations.

The collaboration comes as Football Australia prepares to kick off the Australian Championship this October.

In mid-2024, Football Australia began developing a new production strategy, defining requirements across multiple tiers of Australian football.

The strategy encompasses the Hahn Australia Cup, NSD and the top tier of Federation Competitions for both men and women (National Premier Leagues), Futsal and National Para-Football Championships included as well.

LIGR’s appointment followed a rigorous Request for Proposal (RFP) process, led by Football Australia in alliance with Member Federations, aimed at identifying a single partner capable of managing the complex scale.

LIGR, an Australian tech business recently acquired by European-based tech company Crionet, will provide technical and operational broadcast management, live monitoring and AI integration across Football Australia’s multi and single camera productions.

Additionally, LIGR’s world-leading streaming, graphics and highlights automation platform will enable seamless integration of key sponsors on broadcasts.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, highlighted the significance of the partnership.

“This partnership marks a defining moment in Australian football and represents a paradigm shift in the way the game is produced, distributed and commercialised both in Australia and abroad,” Johnson explained via Football Australia official press release.

“By unifying production across thousands of games and multiple tiers of competition, we are not only streamlining operations but also reshaping the future of football broadcasting in this country. This is innovation at scale.

“Through this centralised model, we are building long-term operational and cost efficiencies and can focus on building sustainable revenue streams for the connected football pyramid.”

Luke McCoy, CEO of LIGR, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

“At Crionet and LIGR, our mission is to disrupt the traditional sports production, streaming, and distribution landscape,” McCoy commented via Football Australia’s official press release.

“Our partnership with Football Australia and its State and Territory Member Federations represents a groundbreaking shift towards a truly aggregated model, marking a significant milestone for sports coverage in Australia.

“Our cutting-edge technology and innovative approach sets us apart, and we are excited to elevate the game, enhance fan engagement, and drive innovation across all levels of the sport.”

This multi-tier integration represents an unprecedented approach, as no other Australian rights holder has consolidated production across such a diverse range of competitions under a single centralised model.

This new centralised approach will allow the sport to optimise its production workflows and unlock new commercial opportunities in the evolving broadcast and streaming landscape.

An exciting development in increasing viewership and commercial viability for, as Football Australia’s 2024 National Participation Report confirmed, the most popular and fastest growing sport in the country.

Sydney FC and Arnotts Collaboration Enhances Team Spirit

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Sydney Arnotts
Image Credit: Sydney FC

Sydney FC have announced an impressive partnership with iconic Australian brand, Arnotts.

The collaboration will see Arnotts’ branding feature in a highly visible location on the back of the Sydney FC Men’s team shorts for the rest of the A-League 2024/25 season.

Sydney FC CEO Mark Aubrey expressed how valuable the partnership was to the Sky Blues.

“We are thrilled to bring Arnott’s on board as an official partner of Sydney FC,” he said via press release.

“This is a brilliant alignment between two recognised brands that specialise in creating moments that matter.”

We also both value the importance of a high performance, high integrity environment as well as standing for equality and diversity.

“I hope this will be the beginning of a long and trusted partnership, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.”

From the collaboration, both Sydney FC and Arnotts will work on a special content series featuring the “Arnotts Moments Matter” campaign.

Arnotts Group CMO Jenni Dill highlighted how excited the organisation was for the partnership.

“This partnership builds on Arnott’s desire to support Australian’s on and off the football field with healthier and delicious lunch and snacking choices,” she said in a press release.

“Whether it’s a Vita-Weat with your favourite lunchtime toppings, or a pack of Snack Right Puffs on the way to game, we look forward to inspiring Sydney FC players and fans with more tasty and convenient ways to enjoy a snack or lunch.”

Further highlighting the importance of the brand deal, Arnotts branding will not only feature on the Sydney FC Men’s kit but will also appear on the LED screens on matchdays, presenting with Arnotts with highly desirable marketing material.

The Arnotts-Sydney FC partnership is yet another major landmark deal for the club in recent months, adding to collaborations with Guaraná Antarctica and WHEN Fertility.

 

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