NNSWF provides more than $5 million for clubs with infrastructure funding

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NNSWF Funding
Image credit: Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) has assisted its clubs to receive more than $1.3 million, credit to the NSW Government’s Female Friendly Community Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades grant program.

There have been seven projects selected to have been given funding, including:

  • Hallidays Point Sports Club, Black Head Sports Field ($181,743)
  • New Lambton FC, Novocastrian ($242,300)
  • South Lismore Celtic FC, Caniaba Street Reserve ($300,658)
  • Stockton Junior FC, Corroba Oval, Stockton ($88,000)
  • Taree Wildcats FC, Omaru Park, Taree ($205, 180)
  • Lake Macquarie City Council, Evans Park, Cardiff ($275,000)
  • Port Stephens Council, Tomaree Sports Complex ($79,475)

The project has seen the NSW State Government dedicate up to $25 million in financing to bring to life the sport facilities by supplying new, and rebuilding existing sport facility bathrooms and changing rooms.

Investing will also guide the delivery of upgraded lighting that will allow more women and girls to train and take part in a safe and inclusive sporting environment.

NNSWF Community Football Manager Ross Hicks said via press release:

“The Taree Wildcats FC and South Lismore Celtic FC applications had assistance from NNSWF and our grant writing consultant, it was fantastic to see other clubs who l had consultation with and advised were also with their applications.”

NNSWF has also benefited from other grants – the club facilities were awarded more than $3.8 million in recognition of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

12 NNSWF operations designated to receive the necessary funding includes:

  • Alstonville & District FC, Crawford Park (230,505)
  • Byron Bay FC, Byron Bay Recreation Grounds ($356,280)
  • Bellbird FC (Cessnock City Council), Carmichael Park, Bellbird ($138,000)
  • Corindi Red Rock SAISC, Corindi Sports Fields, ($205,379)
  • Clarence Town FC (Dungog Shire Council), Clarence Town Sporting Reserve ($275,000)
  • Gresford Vacy FC (Dungog Shire Council), Paterson Sports Ground, ($216,797)
  • Valentine FC (Lake Macquarie City Council), Croudace Bay Sports Complex ($800,837)
  • Quirindi FC (Liverpool Plains Shire Council), Longfield Oval ($685,200)
  • Muswellbrook FC (Muswellbrook Shire Council), Victoria Park ($100,000)
  • Pacific Palms FC (Pacific Palms Community Association), Pacific Palms Sport Fields ($288,399)
  • Medowie FC (Port Stephens Council), Yulong Oval ($399,500)
  • Seaham Bowthorne FC (Port Stephens Council), Bowthorne Park ($126,632)

The Stronger Country Communities Fund goal is to increase the well-being of communities in the regional areas by providing upgraded social and sporting infrastructure or local programs.

Overall, this investment is $160 million by the state government, including up to $50 million for projects provided by qualified community organisations.

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GIS Sydney continues to connect students with Australia’s sports industry

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Image Credits: Global Institute of Sport

Following the launch of its Sydney campus in 2025, the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is continuing to establish itself in the nation’s sports industry. A leading provider of degrees and executive education in sport, GIS provides students the chance to study at two of Australia’s biggest sporting venues: Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Programs such as Sports Analytics and International Sports Business are delivered in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, and feature the chance for students to gain exclusive access to the sports industry.

More than 50 guest speakers have shared their experience with students studying at GIS Sydney, representing organisations like FIFA, Red Bull, Cricket Australia, and the AFL. While learning about the regional and national sports industry in the classroom, students have also had the chance to gain an international perspective through GIS’ signature Global Sports Summits, which have given Sydney students access to iconic sporting venues around the world from London to Miami.

Outside of the iconic venues students can call their classrooms, the organisation prioritises the real, industry placements needed to put theory into practice by providing each student with 140 hours of relevant work experience throughout their studies. Included in this are several sporting organisations who are keen to welcome GIS students on board, including the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), Football Coaches Australia, and Basketball NSW.

GIS also has a partnership with popular network and app Yakka Sport to connect students with paid employment opportunities while they study.

Behind these advancements at the GIS Sydney campus is an Industry Advisory Board which features a host of experienced figures from the world of sport. Included in the Asia-Pacific branch is Chair James Rosengarten, GM of the Melbourne Renegades; Kevin Jang, Managing Director of CAA Stellar Korea; and Brad Lloyd, GM of the Carlton Football Club.

Since launching, GIS’ Sydney campus has ultimately combined its locations and industry connections to provide the next generation of sports professionals with the knowledge, network, and confidence to tackle the rapidly evolving sports industry.

Melbourne Victory partners with The Pass to expand fan experience

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Image Credit: Australian Professional Leagues

Melbourne Victory has added The Pass to its commercial portfolio, with the partnership designed to give supporters more ways to follow the club away from matchday.

The Pass becomes an ‘Associate Partner’ of Victory, while Hickens Hotel has been named the club’s ‘Official Away Game Venue Partner’. The arrangement will see the Russell Street venue host Victory watch parties and provide a dedicated gathering point for supporters during away fixtures.

The partnership also gives Victory supporters access to The Pass’ broader network of more than 200 venues around Australia, extending the relationship beyond a single location.

For Melbourne Victory, the deal forms part of a wider approach to creating commercial partnerships around the supporter experience rather than limiting sponsorship to traditional branding opportunities.

Hickens Hotel will host Victory fans for selected away matches, while The Pass will provide members with access to offers and experiences through its venue network.

The agreement also connects with Victory’s broader business community, with The Pass joining the club’s commercial network and creating potential opportunities for corporate engagement alongside its consumer-facing activity.

The partnership comes ahead of the 2026/27 A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women seasons, with Victory continuing to develop its commercial offering around both its membership base and matchday audience.

For The Pass, football provides a way to bring its network of hospitality venues into the supporter experience, giving fans a physical destination to watch matches when Victory is playing on the road.

The agreement reflects a broader trend across professional football, with clubs increasingly looking to partnerships that can provide tangible benefits to supporters while creating additional opportunities for commercial partners.

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