Northern NSW Football starts regional premier competitions

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Northern NSW Strategic Plan 2024 to 2026
Image credit: PxHere website

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) has created a working group for a strategy of the implementation of the men’s and women’s regional premier competitions for either the 2025 or 2026 season.

This league will try and represent the regional talent of NNSWF and give regional areas a more structured pathway for their talent and ensure that they can compete at a higher level without the need for relocation.

The working group will be made up of regional club representatives, regional zone representatives and NNSWF staff members.

The Term of Reference explains the main objectives of the working group are:

  1. To develop a sustainable model for the RPC that complements existing community football structures.
  2. To ensure the model aligns with NNSWF’s strategic goals and benefits all stakeholders involved.
  3. To consult with key stakeholders to gather insights and ensure broad support for the proposed competition.
  4. To present a detailed model for the RPC to the NNSWF Board of Directors for approval, with an aim for implementation in 2025 or 2026.

There will be regular meetings, surveys, and public forums. with stakeholders throughout the process where they will be engaged in the creation of the draft plans for the competitions.

Some of these important progress dates are:

  1. September 2024 they will have conducted stakeholder consultations develop a draft operating model and presented it to the regional Member Zones.
  2. Present the final model to the NNSWF Board of Directors for approval by October 2024.
  3. Implement the approved RPC model for the 2025 or 2026 football season, if they have Board approval.

This initiative strongly supports the strategic pillars outlined in the NNSWF Strategic Plan 2024-2026 which include: Talent Development for All, Participation for All and Showcasing our Game.

This working group is a positive and collaborative approach to the creation of an important new milestone competition for the huge regional areas in the NNSWF.

The working group is a diverse group of people with expertise in the region, this is so important for making sure the voices of the actual regional players and communities are heard, and the design of these big association developments can be moulded by the people most affected.

It will be interesting to see how this development continues in one of the most unique Australian footballing associations and its efforts to tackle the isolation of regional football in Australia.

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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

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Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier
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Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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