North Queensland Stadium nearing completion

Liam Watson

A brand new stadium in Townsville is not far away with construction making scheduled progress en route to full completion.

This multi-purpose stadium is on track to be opened in 2020, with the final stages being done to ensure it’s up and running.

It’s a major project for the city of Townsville, with $250 million worth of funding to build it from the ground up and build a boutique 25,000 seat stadium.

The investment is sure to be worth it, with the venue designed to host different sporting codes, including the National Rugby League’s North Queensland Cowboys who are already going to be a home tenant.

The plan is to get the stadium ready in time for Round 1 of the NRL, and recently there’s been significant additions. 36 roof trusses have been lifted by cranes and looks to be one of the most distinctive features of the stadium.

The Pandanus plant-inspired roof is designed to withstand the extreme weather North Queensland can have and has been tested to see how it would fare with different wind-loads.

Once completed, this will be a facility which will have enormous benefits for the community. Increases in tourism and jobs will be created and will be a quality stadium to use for any World Cup or AFC competition bid.

It will be a venue that will be a valuable alternative in the Northern parts of Queensland, and is a ready-made option for not only international events but expansion in Australia for a second division and national championship.

After years of campaigning and bringing together the relevant funding, Queensland will have a new venue they can be proud of – North Queensland Stadium can be just that.

A opportunity has presented to capitalise on this new development and make another place that can cater for football and other sporting codes.

It presents as a world-class venue that will be a staple of North Queensland for many years to come. There will be a Sir Elton John Concert to officially open the stadium on February 29th 2020, before the North Queensland Cowboys play their first game there on March 13th next year.

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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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