Northern NSW Football launch Strategic Plan for 2024-26

Avatar
Northern NSW Strategic Plan 2024 to 2026
Image via PxHere

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) released their 2024 to 2026 Strategic Plan which focuses on collaboration and a shared vision for football in the region.

NNSWF announced in August of 2023 that the federation would partner up with global sports and entertainment consultancy Gemba to assist them in developing the plan aimed at nurturing football’s growth and sustainability in the community.

NNSWF and Gemba consulted with member zones, clubs, volunteers and staff to create the plan, with feedback taken on board to provide an exciting roadmap for football in northern NSW over the next three years.

There are four pillars that have the goal to ‘inspire and unite everyone in Northern NSW to reach their potential in football’

These include:

  • Enjoyable Football Experience – Goal is to minimise barriers for participation (KPI: 90,000 total registered players) and improve facilities in the area to ensure the sport advances (70%+ of facilities rated acceptable or above)
  • Talent Development – Providing clear and comprehensive talent pathways for all participants (KPI: 1,500 participants engaged in NNSWF Talent programs) as well as increasing numbers in non-playing roles (KPI: 15,000 registered coaches, match officials, volunteers and administrators)
  • Champions in Excellence – Setting the benchmark for excellence in sports through effective governance and beneficial partnerships. (KPI: is 90% staff retention across NNSWF’s business)
  • Showcase our game – Improving the promotion of the sport from grassroots to the elite level. Leveraging the stories of the game to grow the sport is vital. (KPI: 4,000 positive media articles/segments on football across Northern NSW)

NNSWF chairman Mike Parsons explained how the strategic plan was a representation of their core values.

“These values, which include integrity, inclusivity, transparency, respect, innovation and ambition, are the bedrock of our approach and will guide our actions and decisions moving forward,” Parsons explained in a statement.

“The role of our board of directors has been pivotal in this journey. We have worked closely with our member zones, clubs and other stakeholders to understand their needs, aspirations and the challenge they face.

“This collaborative approach has been instrumental in shaping a strategy that is not only ambitious but also grounded in the realities of our football community.”

NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes expressed his excitement in implementing the plan and seeing the huge benefits it brings to the federation.

“The plan revolves around four core pillars – Enjoyable Football Experience, Talent Development for All, Champions in Excellence and Showcase Our Game, with each aligning to our mission to create an inclusive and thriving football community,” Haynes added via a statement.

“This is not just a strategic plan for Northern NSW Football but more a strategic plan for football in northern NSW. It’s not just about our organisation. We are dedicated to supporting our member zones and clubs to enhance facilities and ensure football remains a positive, respectful experience for everyone.

“This plan is a pledge from us to our players, coaches, volunteers, match officials, spectators and all who love the game that, together, we will work tirelessly to ensure football in northern NSW is not just a sport but a source of community, pride, unity and inspiration.

“We want football to reach its potential in our region and I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey alongside our football community.”

Northern NSW Football have laid out a really detailed and direct plan of attack to improve in the areas that are lacking within the organisation. Within the next three years, they have set ambitious goals but are determined to achieve them.

You can view the 2024 to 2026 Strategic Plan here.

Previous ArticleNext Article

AC Milan and Puma Unveil New 2026/27 Away Kit

Avatar
Image Credit: AC Milan S.p.A.
AC Milan and Puma have officially unveiled the clubs the new 2026/27 away kit, a timeless white kit that celebrates resilience, heritage and the winning mentality that has defined the Rossoneri for generations.

Inspired by the phrase “after Istanbul, there is always Athens” the kit pays tribute to AC Milan’s triumph in the 2007 Champions League Final in Athens following their defeat in Istanbul in 2005. The message printed on the back of the collar, reflects the club’s enduring spirit and serves as a reminder that every setback can become the foundation for future success.

Leading the campaign is club legend Filipo Inzaghi who scored two goals to lead AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, embodying the determination, resilience and hunger that continues to define AC Milan’s identity.

Every detail on this years away kit reinforces this story. Gold accents and a laurel wrapped club crest celebrates a storied history of success, while the authentic version features the Greek inscription “Δύναμη Ψυχής” (“Strength of Spirit”) inside the collar. A subtle phoenix wing woven into the fabric symbolises renewal, resilience and the Club’s commitment to continually rising to new challenges.

The authentic jersey is engineered with PUMA’s advanced ULTRAWEAVE fabric, complemented by dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies to deliver lightweight feel and optimal performance. The replica version brings the same identity combining the same striking design with everyday wearability and is made with RE technology, incorporating 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The new AC Milan 2026/27 Away Kit is available now through AC Milan Official Stores, the Club’s online store, PUMA and selected retailers worldwide.

Football NSW builds life‑saving network as cardiac safety push expands

Avatar
Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has distributed 20 defibrillators to associations and regional clubs through its Every Beat Matters campaign, part of a broader push to improve cardiac emergency preparedness across the state’s football network.

Sixteen of the devices were presented to participating associations at the inaugural Football NSW Association Championships in Mudgee. A further four went to regional clubs: Cowra and District Soccer Club, Westside Panthers, Yerrinbool Bargo Soccer Club and Narooma Football Club.

The rollout builds on the Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project, which is mapping defibrillator placement at sporting facilities across NSW with funding from the Minns Labor Government. Twelve football associations have joined the effort, including Eastern Suburbs, Manly Warringah, Granville, Southern Districts, Nepean, Northern Suburbs, Football Canterbury, Bankstown, Hills, Sutherland Shire, North West Sydney Football and Football South Coast.

Data collected through the mapping project is being fed into NSW Ambulance’s GoodSAM emergency response system and NSW Health’s public AED map, enabling first responders to locate nearby defibrillators in real time.

The initiative responds to a gap that had gone largely unexamined. More than 2,400 defibrillators have been deployed across NSW sports facilities through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $3,000 to eligible organisations. But a device not registered in emergency response systems provides significantly less value than one that is accurately mapped and immediately locatable.

The urgency is not abstract. At Doyalson Wyee Football Club, a 70‑year‑old player survived a sudden on‑field cardiac arrest because an AED was available on site. Survival rates drop by about 10 per cent for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is also establishing a long‑term defibrillator register to track equipment distribution, access and maintenance across all 636 clubs and 31 associations. The Every Beat Matters campaign, supported by Toyota and St John Ambulance, aims to raise about $240,000 through a raffle to fund an initial rollout of 65 defibrillators to clubs currently without access, prioritising regional and lower socio‑economic areas.

The #HeartHealthMatters Program is delivering CPR and AED familiarisation training to sporting organisations, with a particular focus on regional communities where ambulance response times are often longer and volunteer bases smaller.

The ambition, in the words of project organisers, is straightforward: that no preventable death occurs on a football ground because the right equipment was not there, or could not be found.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend