Northern NSW Football’s 2023-24 Talented Indigenous Scholarships a rewarding pathway

Avatar
NNSWF Talented Player Scholarship
Image via Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football recently announced that applications for the 2023-24 Northern NSW Football Talented Indigenous Scholarships are now open.

Having opened applications on November 24, the scholarships are designed to reduce barriers by supporting and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players from across northern NSW in the player development pathway.

Four scholarships will be awarded to two male Indigenous players between the ages of 13 to 16 and two female Indigenous players aged 13 to 17.

Who is eligible to apply for the Scholarship?

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Players who are registered as a player within the national Play Football registration system and who intend to register in 2024.
  • Boys turning 13 – 16 in the 2024 calendar year
  • Girls turning 13 – 17 in the 2024 calendar year

Assessment Criteria:
Applications will be assessed on merit and scored against the following criteria:

  • Current registered player
  • Playing history
  • Technical assessment if deemed necessary by NNSWF’s Technical Department
  • Letter of Support from Regional Zone or Premier Club Technical Director that confirms a position in a Premier Competition Program has or will be offered to the applicant
  • Applicants from Football Far North Coast will be required to provide a Letter of Support from their Club Technical Director or NNSWF Technical Advisor-FFNC

NNSWF Female Participation and Inclusion Officer Natalie Boyd discussed the importance of Indigenous players to have a legitimate pathway towards their football journey.

“Each recipient will be role models for future generations of Indigenous players and will hopefully inspire others from their community,” Boyd said in a Northern NSW Football statement.

“We want to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players across football while creating more opportunities for them to engage in professional development. This is a chance to identify and showcase the next generation who have the potential to achieve at the highest levels of the game.”

It is a fantastic initiative by Northern NSW Football who have focused on these scholarships in their recent strategic plan with the increasing amount of Indigenous participants over the last few years and the success of the ever popular NAIDOC Cup.

Applications close on Friday, December 22.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Western United ruled out of 2026–27 A-League season

Avatar
Image Credit: Western United FC

Western United’s participation in the A-Leagues has officially been terminated, ending the club’s immediate pathway back into Australia’s professional football competitions.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terminated Western United’s Club Participation Agreement on Monday, following months of discussions over the club’s future.

The decision comes after Western United’s attempt to secure a return to the A-League for the 2026–27 season was unsuccessful. Football Australia had previously determined that the club did not meet the requirements to retain its licence.

Western United has now turned its attention towards rebuilding the organisation under new ownership, with the club targeting a return to the A-League for the 2027–28 season.

In a statement, Western United said the termination creates an opportunity for “new custodians, new investment and a fresh start”, while emphasising the importance of maintaining the club’s identity in Melbourne’s west.

The club’s financial problems have been a major issue over the past two years with the club being placed into a conditional hibernation ahead of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The APL said its decision was made following the club’s breach of several obligations under the agreement, including compliance with Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations.

The club’s proposed 2027–28 comeback will therefore depend on securing new investment, addressing its outstanding operational requirements and demonstrating that it can meet the conditions necessary to re-enter the A-Leagues.

While Monday’s decision brings an end to Western United’s current participation agreement, the club maintains that it is not the end for Western United.

Now, the club that won the A-League grand final just four years ago, will now turn its attention to restructuring the business and building a sustainable platform for a potential return to Australia’s professional football landscape.

 

 

Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

Avatar
Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend