New Zealand Football confirm Sportway as broadcaster for domestic games

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Image credit: Auckland United FC

New Zealand Football has collaborated with sports video production company Sportway to broadcast an unprecedented amount of domestic football from the National League and cup competitions.

Through this partnership, New Zealand Football will broadcast over 200 games in 2024, providing live and free access to fans on FIFA+.

Sportway are an AI-automated sports video, data production and media rights acquisition company which provides end-to-end, fully automated video production of live sporting events, specializing in lower tier leagues and youth divisions.

With the implementation of a fixed AI-automated filming solution, 4K Sportway cameras have been strategically placed in stadiums across Aotearoa New Zealand, enabling the live broadcasting of National League games, complemented by match commentary from club commentators.

In 2023, New Zealand Football partnered with FIFA+ for their international men’s and women’s teams which includes an archive of former NZ Football’s moments at major tournaments.

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell explained how the exciting partnership would further grow football in New Zealand.

“We want to make football as accessible as possible, and our broadcast and content strategy is an important part of that,” Pragnell said in a statement.

“To go from only broadcasting one domestic game per week a few years ago, behind a paywall, to delivering over 200 this year is an impressive change and will transform competitions like the National League which is now much easier for fans to discover and follow.

“Working with AI cameras is a new approach for us but broadcasting domestic games on this scale would not be possible with a traditional model, so we have been keen to adopt this technology and are excited for how it develops as the technology evolves.

“It is also great to provide opportunities for people who want to get involved in broadcasting with the chance for a new generation of commentators to experience working in live sport.”

This is a welcome change that completely changes viewership of the National League that was previously paywalled and extremely hard to access.

After an extremely successful co-hosting of the Women’s World Cup, it is clear to see NZ Football are committing to growing the grassroots game and ensuring that they inspire more people to participate to create a good foundation for the future.

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Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Launches Youth League and Poaching Program

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Blacktown District Soccer Football Association has outlined a package of initiatives for the 2026 season centred on youth development, coach education and the celebration of female participation, as the Western Sydney association moves to raise standards across community football and strengthen pathways into state-level competition.

The centrepiece of the association’s development agenda is the Blacktown Youth Development League, a new competition structure spanning all youth Division One competitions in the Under-13 to Under-18 age groups, including Phoenix League female competitions involving both BDSFA and GDSFA clubs. The league applies a benchmarking framework adapted from Football NSW‘s junior competition standards, with clubs encouraged to implement structured training environments including a minimum of two sessions per week where possible.

BDSFA General Manager Owen Liiv said the initiative responded to clear demand from within the football community for more substantive development environments.

“It is pretty clear that people want more and better football experiences,” Liiv said. “The measure for us is high-quality youth football competitions within Blacktown and ultimately, stronger performances in state-wide competitions such as the Football NSW State Cup or Football NSW Champion of Champions.”

The referees branch will support the league by prioritising Division One fixtures and providing three-person match control where available, an operational commitment that acknowledges the role officiating quality plays in the overall development environment.

The Managerial Infrastructure

Running alongside the youth competition is a free coach education program, with Foundation of Football courses delivered across BDSFA’s 24 member clubs by permanent association staff. With more than 1,000 registered coaches across the district, BDSFA has set a target of 85 percent achieving Foundation of Football accreditation within three years. Removing cost as a barrier to accreditation is a deliberate structural choice, reflecting growing recognition across Australian football that coaching quality at community level is inseparable from participation outcomes.

The association also launched Female Football Week with a “Cocktails on the Pitch” event at Blacktown Football Park, attended by close to 100 players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers. Former Matilda Leah Blayney addressed the gathering, speaking about her pathway from Wentworth Falls to international football. BDSFA has indicated the event is likely to become an annual fixture on the association calendar.

Taken together, the initiatives reflect an association investing deliberately in the structural conditions that determine whether community football grows sustainably rather than opportunistically.

Manchester City open new training centre for Women’s First Team

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Image credit: Manchester City

The training centre opened earlier this week, following years of planning, investment and ambition for Manchester City Women.

State-of-the-art facilities

Recently crowned WSL Champions, Manchester City Women will now be able to train, prepare and recover in a truly special, purpose-built facility.

Covering 17,000 square feet, a world-class gym, strength & conditioning facilities and dressing room, the site will help players  to maximise performances on the pitch.

But given the facilities also received input from players and staff, inspiring added touches like social spaces and recognition for players with over 100 appearances, it is clear that this is a deeply personal project for all involved at Manchester City Women.

As Managing Director of Manchester City Women, Charlotte O’Neill, highlighted, the training centre is a symbol of excellence and ambition.

“This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar,” O’Neill said via press release.

“It is about creating an environment here our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.”

A winning project, for a winning team. The training centre is sure to propel Manchester City Women to even greater heights in the seasons to come.

 

Continuing investment trends

Furthermore, as the result of an AUD 18.6 million (GBP 10 million) investment and purpose-built for Manchester City Women, it is yet another example of the current strength of WSL investment.

Just a few weeks ago, Brighton & Hove Albion unveiled plans to construct a new venue for its women’s team, delivering on a clear intention to support commercial growth and infrastructure in the women’s game.

But even after winning their first WSL title this season, the message from the board is clear: Manchester City Women are a fundamental part of the club’s long-term vision.

“This new facility marks the next logical step in our long-term commitment to Manchester City Women, and is an important milestone for the club as a whole,” said Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“We have always believed in investing to create the right environment for players and staff to develop and succeed. That approach has underpinned every aspect of our work since the professional relaunch of Manchester City Women in 2014.”

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