Northern NSW Football provided with developmental government funds

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Her Sport Her Way
Image via Pxhere

Northern NSW Football has received $30,000 in funding as part of the NSW Government’s grant program, Her Sport Her Way.

Each year through its programs, the NSW Government’s Office of Sport provides millions of dollars to nurture sporting talent, help construct sports facilities and develop the industry.

Through this collaboration, an increase in women and girls involvement in football will be recognised, with the program aiming to encourage participation and opportunities on and off the field.

The NSW Government’s program, Her Sport Her Way, is a four-year strategy focusing on a stronger sporting sector where females are valued, recognised, and have equal choices and opportunities to participate.

Combatting the lack of women and girls in football, the outlined program contains 29 initiatives within the sectors of participation, places and spaces, leveraging investment, and leadership. Her Sport Her Way looks through a female perspective on how sport in NSW is delivered, coached, marketed, led, sponsored and consumed.

Not only does Her Sport Her Way provide grants, but other initiatives of the NSW government also include the Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered Program, Inclusive Facility Design and Innovation Forum, Leadership Program, and Her Sport Her Way Awards.

Acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of leaders in women’s sport, the Her Sport Her Way Awards assist to highlight gender equality in football.

With nominations open for each of the five categories in the 2022-23 Awards, Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor spoke of the importance of these awards in a statement:

“Women make such an incredible contribution to sporting clubs and communities right across NSW both on and off the field,” she said.

“The Her Sport Her Way Awards recognise the achievements of women in driving powerful change and leaving a legacy for the way women’s sport is played in NSW”.

Targeted at females, Northern NSW Football will fund three projects using the money provided to them by Her Sport Her Way. These projects will consist of delivering introductory match official courses in high schools, delivering introductory coaching courses in high schools, and delivering advanced coaching seminars.

Providing $2.45 million towards projects since 2019, Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens explained how the Her Sport Her Way program supported State Sporting Organisations to explore new initiatives that boost female sporting participation in a statement:

“This program is all about increasing female participation in sport, whether that’s on the field or in administration, coaching or volunteer roles,” he stated.

“Since the inception of this program four years ago the number of women and girls playing sport has evolved and diversified and by investing in grassroots programs and initiatives across NSW we will continue to secure a brighter future for women in sport.”

The Her Sport Her Way Awards feature five categories – Young Achiever, Local Champion, Outstanding Organisation, Trailblazer and Overall Champion.

Applications for the awards close on 28 February 2023.

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Bundesliga secures $7.39bn domestic broadcast deal

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Image credit: Bundesliga

The German Football League (DFL) has secured new domestic broadcast contracts for the Bundesliga worth $7.39 billion over four seasons.

The deal, which will run from the 2025/26 to 2028/29 campaigns, represents a modest 2% increase from the current rights package valued at $1.82 billion per season.

This development positions the Bundesliga as the second-highest earner in domestic media rights among football leagues, trailing only the Premier League.

Key Broadcasters and Packages

The DFL confirmed that pay-TV network Sky and streaming platform DAZN will remain the league’s primary broadcast partners:

  • Sky will air the majority of live matches, including Friday evening, Saturday fixtures, and relegation play-offs. It will also maintain exclusive coverage of 2. Bundesliga matches.
  • DAZN secured rights to the fan-favourite ‘Konferenz’ whip-around show and will broadcast Sunday matches. The deal also extends to the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

Free-to-air access is bolstered by:

  • Sat.1, which will broadcast key games such as season openers, relegation play-offs, and the German Super Cup.
  • ARD, ZDF, and Sport1, offering highlight rights.
  • RTL, airing Saturday evening 2. Bundesliga matches and highlight packages.
  • Axel Springer, managing short highlight clips for digital platforms.

DFL’s statement

DFL co-chief executive Steffen Merkel spoke on the incredible record-breaking TV deal that will advance German football.

“The result of the tender underlines the unbroken popularity of German professional football, despite economically challenging times,” Merkel said in a statement.

“Trust and unity within the league association have paid off. At the end of an intensive process, a very good and comprehensively secured financial result has now been achieved.

“The clubs now have planning security at a high financial level for another four years. For the fans, our future partners in both the pay and free-to-air markets will provide a high degree of consistency.”

DFL co-chief executive Marc Lenz shared the same positive sentiment about the new deal.

“The financial security achieved with this result is a key foundation for the positive development of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. From this position of strength, we must tackle the economic, sporting and political challenges – and continue to develop our leagues together with the 36 clubs and make them fit for the future,” he said in a statement.

Market Context and Challenges

The increase in Bundesliga’s media rights revenue contrasts with declines experienced by other major European leagues like Serie A and Ligue 1.

The DFL’s ability to keep Sky and DAZN involved despite legal challenges reflects the league’s strong negotiation position. While DAZN received fewer live matches, its acquisition of the ‘Konferenz’ show could drive subscriber growth.

Future Outlook

The deal provides financial stability for Bundesliga clubs, giving them an advantage over many European rivals. Moving forward, the DFL will focus on expanding its international rights income, with the U.S. deal set to expire in 2026.

The Bundesliga’s mix of traditional TV, streaming, and free-to-air options ensures fans remain well-served, setting the stage for sustainable growth and global outreach.

QLD Government Joins Brisbane Roar and Football Queensland’s Community Program

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Image credit: Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar, Football Queensland (FQ), and the Queensland Government (QLD) have partnered to give more young people the chance to play football in the sunshine state.

Under the ‘Active! Queensland’ initiative, the QLD Government will provide a grant to Brisbane Roar’s not-for-profit organisation Roar Recreation and Welfare Limited, extending the Football Queensland and Roar Football in the Community Program.

The funding aims to empower more children to get involved in sport and increase the number of active footballers.

Over 10,000 junior participants are estimated to take part in a range of different activities in the program across 2025.

Brisbane Roar will be responsible for organising over 270 clinics through the scheme, these will include school holiday clinics, community and school programs, training and education, plus game day activities.

Minister for Sport, Tim Mander, outlined the importance of the partnership for Queenslander children.

“To have a healthy community, it is essential that we have an active community,” he said in a press release.

“The physical, social and psychological rewards of sport are enormous, and football plays an important role in seeing these benefits reach young Queenslanders.

“Which is why we are proud to partner with Brisbane Roar to help more local kids enjoy the game, and hopefully set them on a path to years of involvement in sport and active recreation.”

Brisbane Roar Chairman and CEO, Kaz Patafta, expressed his appreciation for the extensive partnership.

“From our ongoing consultation with the Queensland Government, we are beyond grateful to be receiving this support to grow our community programs in collaboration with Football Queensland,” he said via press release.

“With this new funding, Brisbane Roar together with Football Queensland is set to provide more opportunities for local Queensland kids to engage in football, aiming to expand the sport’s reach and impact across the region.

“We’re delighted to be able to provide more opportunities to local Queensland kids to play football as we endeavour to continue growing the game across Queensland.”

The partnership kicked off last Thursday at Suncorp stadium.

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