Nominations open for the 2021 NSW Community Sports Awards

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Local football

Sport NSW has announced that nominations are now open for 2021’s NSW Community Sports Awards.

The 2021 NSW Community Sports Awards are devoted to recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions to community and grassroots sport by people across NSW. Community and grassroots sport is essential to the thriving of local communities, with much of the work carried out by volunteers.

With more than 500,000 people state-wide dedicating their time to volunteering year in, year out across all sports, the NSW Community Sports Awards exist as a way to acknowledge and pay tribute to the extensive efforts of these volunteers. Without these people, sport would not exist in the current form it does.

In addition, the NSW Community Sports Awards ensure that State Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Organisations for people with a Disability are recognised for the continual effort and for the accomplishments of their volunteers.

The nominations are open to the public to put forward the names of those who contribute immensely to the behind-the-scenes and day-to-day running of sporting clubs, organisations and events.

The 2021 edition of the NSW Community Sports Awards will see nominations invited for a total of 10 categories, including the Distinguished Long Service Awards for those that have provided an unending and extraordinary dedication to their respective sport for over 25 years. This year’s awards categories include;

  1. Community Official of the Year
  2. Young Official of the Year
  3. Community Coach of the Year
  4. Young Coach of the Year
  5. Community Sport Administrator of the Year
  6. Volunteer Director of the Year
  7. Community Team of the Year
  8. Community Club of the Year
  9. Local Council of the Year
  10. Community Event of the Year
  11. Distinguished Long Service Awards

Nominations are only considered for achievements and contributions from May 1st 2020 to April 30th 2021.

Pending the COVID-19 restrictions on events at the time, winners will be announced at a special event on June 17th at NSW Parliament House.

The nominations will be closing on Sunday the 2nd of May, 2021 at midnight. Nominations forms can be completed by clicking here.

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

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Image Credit: A-Leagues

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Jeff Bezos consortium set for $2.7 billion Liverpool investment

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Image Credits: Fortune

Liverpool could soon welcome one of the world’s richest men into its ownership structure.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium in advanced talks to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The proposed deal values Liverpool at around $8.6 billion (4.5 billion pounds). Bezos has a personal fortune estimated at $363 billion.

The investment would give Fenway Sports Group (FSG) a major financial return. It would also allow FSG to keep control of the club, which they bought in 2010.

The proposal has attracted attention across football. It has also created concern among sections of the Liverpool fanbase.

FSG set for major return

FSG bought Liverpool for $573 million (300 million pounds) in 2010. The ownership group later provided further funding through loans. In the last 16 years, the club has undergone major growth.

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. The club also won the Champions League in 2019. Another Premier League title followed in 2025.

Stadium redevelopment and a new training centre have also increased the club’s value. FSG could cash in on $2.7 billion (1.4 billion pounds) if the 30% share is sold.

The deal would therefore represent a huge return on its original investment. However, whilst the investment would provide a massive cash out for the owners of Liverpool, due to Financial Fair Play there won’t be increased investment in the transfer market.

Why Bezos wants Liverpool

Bezos has explored sports investments before. He has been linked with major American franchises such as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Liverpool would give him a stake in one of football’s biggest global brands. The club also has a large following in the United States. The New York Times has also reported Liverpool has 26 million fans in America.

That makes the investment attractive for investors looking to expand their reach in global sport. American businessmen Eduardo Saverin and Amit Bhatia are also reportedly involved in the consortium.

The deal would add to the growing American influence across English football.

Fans remain cautious

Liverpool supporters have not automatically welcomed the proposal.

The club’s previous experience under Tom Hicks and George Gillett still influences the fanbase.

Supporters also want greater clarity over the consortium’s intentions. Questions remain over board representation, control and the long-term purpose of the investment.

For many fans, ownership must involve more than financial ambition. The Bezos proposal could strengthen Liverpool’s commercial position. It could also deliver a huge payday for FSG.

But until the consortium reveals more about its plans, supporters are likely to treat the deal with scepticism.

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