NSW Football clubs secure major government grant funding

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Image credit: Football NSW

Football across New South Wales is set to receive a significant boost, with more than 30 Football NSW affiliated clubs sharing in the NSW Government’s 2025 Community Building Partnership (CBP) grants.

The CBP program provides vital funding for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes, while also encouraging participation, inclusion and stronger community connections.

Clubs across the state will use the funding to enhance their facilities, upgrade playing surfaces, and create more inclusive and accessible environments for players, volunteers and supporters alike.

Football NSW’s Group Head of Strategic Partnerships & Corporate Affairs Helen Armson spoke about the positive impact this has on the community.

“Football NSW is delighted so many football clubs will benefit from this funding,” said Armson in a press release.

“These successful applications reflect a strong commitment by our clubs to not only grow the game, but also create welcoming, inclusive spaces where players, families and supporters can thrive.

“These upgrades and improvements will help ensure members can enjoy their football experience in safer, more accessible and more enjoyable environments.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have across our membership.”

Football NSW’s Venue & Facilities Manager at Valentine Sports Park Claudia Meek was pleased with their own success in the 2025 round.

“Providing free drinking fountains and refillable water stations on site will assist our players, officials and spectators to encourage hydration and support positive health benefits relating to fitness and inclusive sports activity along with supporting environmental initiatives to reduce single use plastic,” she said in a press release.

“With over 120,000 people visiting our site every year we are grateful to the NSW Government for providing an opportunity to obtain funding to further benefit our facility and its visitors.”

From the Far North Coast to the South Coast, these projects will strengthen local football communities and provide long-term benefits for the state’s most popular club-based sport.

With over 350,000 registered football participants in NSW, the impact of these upgrades will be felt widely, supporting the growth of the game and enriching the matchday experience for thousands across the state.

Congratulations to the successful Football NSW clubs listed below:

Albury Hotspurs Soccer Club

Ashfield Pirates FC

Bonnet Bay Football Club Inc.

Bowral United Soccer Club Inc.

Enfield Rovers Soccer Club Incorporated

Fairfield Bulls Football Club Inc.

Football NSW

Forest Rangers Football Club

Glenwood Redbacks Soccer Club Inc.

Holroyd Rangers Soccer Club

Huskisson Vincentia Soccer Club

Kenthurst & District Football Club Incorporated

Leichhardt Saints Football Club Inc.

Lidcombe Waratah Junior Soccer Club

Macarthur FC

Maroubra United Soccer Club Inc.

North Kellyville Football Club Incorporated

Northbridge Macarthur Bulls FC

Pagewood Botany Football Club Inc.

Ryde Panthers Football Club

Ryde Saints United Soccer Club

Seaforth Football Club Incorporated

St George Football Club Ltd.

St Pats FC Incorporated

Tarrawanna Blueys FC Inc.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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