Optus Sport expands with acquisition of German Cups

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DFB-Pokal
Image provided by Optus Sport

Optus Sport has continued the expansion of its football coverage after securing the exclusive Australian rights to the DFB-Pokal and DFB-Pokal Frauen for the next three seasons.

The DFB-Pokal is Germany’s biggest and most prestigious cup competition, held annually by the German Football Association (DFB) and running from August through to June. 64 teams participate in the German Cup, including all clubs from the Bundesliga.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig will be available for football fans to watch, bringing with them superstars like Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Kimmich, Marco Reus, Jude Bellingham, Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo.

Optus Sport has also secured the rights for the Women’s German Cup, DFB-Pokal Frauen, which is the main national women’s football cup competition and includes some of the women’s game’s top sides, led by eight-time defending champs VfL Wolfsburg and nine-time winners Eintracht Frankfurt. The competition was established in its current format in 1991, has 49 teams and runs alongside the men’s competition through to May.

“We know our football fans will be happy with the addition of the DFB-Pokal and DFB-Pokal Frauen, as Optus Sport continues to deliver the world’s best football to our customers,” Optus VP TV, Content and Product Development, Clive Dickens, said in a statement.

Dr. Holger Blask, Managing Director of the DFB GmbH & Co. KG, said via press release:

“We have seen the continued growth of Optus Sport and its world-class approach to streaming top-class football. Germany’s premium Club Cup competitions will definitely be in good hands and Optus Sport will reliably provide Australia’s fans of German football with the best live matches, in-depth analysis and insightful support programs around the DFB Cup.

“We are very excited about this multi-year agreement covering both the men’s and women’s competitions, a fact we are particularly proud of and one that will take the DFB Cup to a new level in Australia.”

Optus Sport has recently added LaLiga from this season and holds the Australian rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the J.League and UEFA National football including the UEFA Nations League, all UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers, all UEFA European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, plus a range of international friendlies, all available to Optus Sport subscribers.

The DFB-Pokal Frauen gets underway first on Optus Sport, with Ingolstadt taking on Bayern Munich on Wednesday (September 13 AEST) morning. This will come off the back of a massive weekend of women’s football as the FA Women’s Super League 2022/23 season commences on Saturday September 10.

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Football Victoria partners with SportsAid for enhanced player safety

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Image credit: Sports Aid

Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed a partnership with Sports Aid, which has been named the Official Medical Partner for all FV events.

The collaboration will ensure that participants in these prominent tournaments benefit from top-tier medical support and first aid services.

Established in 2023, Sports Aid has rapidly positioned itself as a leading provider of medical and safety expertise in Australian sport. Based in Melbourne, the organisation has expanded nationwide, offering its services at a variety of events, from grassroots sports to corporate tournaments.

With over 70 partnerships across the country, Sports Aid’s team of accredited professionals—including first aid responders, sports trainers, and event safety specialists—plays a pivotal role in promoting athlete welfare and event safety.

Under the alliance, Sports Aid will deliver medical personnel, including first aid responders and sports trainers, at FV’s major competitions and events throughout Victoria.

Their on-site presence will provide immediate medical assistance for injuries or health concerns, mitigate risks associated with physical activity, and enhance overall safety for players and spectators alike.

FV’s Executive Manager – Commercial, Chris Speldewinde spoke about the role Sports Aid will play in improving Victorian football.

“Their expertise ensures the safety of our participants, which is paramount in delivering outstanding sporting experiences.” he said in a press release.

Sports Aid’s founder, James Theodorakopoulos, also commented on the partnership.

“We are thrilled to be working with Football Victoria. Our primary focus is on safety, and we’re committed to ensuring that every player and participant has a seamless medical experience at FV events,” he said in a press release.

“It’s not just about responding to injuries, but also ensuring the overall well-being of everyone involved.”

Football Victoria adds Sports Aid on top of recent PILA, VETO Sports and Novotel Preston who all play a specific role in ensuring players involved with FV get the best out of their game.

FV have been focusing heavily on developing local football with facility upgrades, equipment partnerships as well as launching their GO Family football program aimed at improving fitness and building stronger family connections.

This specific partnership with Sports Aid is another that will play a positive role in the sport across the state.

FIFA, Qatar and world organisations launch Legacy Fund

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Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Jose Breton-Pics Action

FIFA has invested $76.7 million into the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund, in collaboration with Qatar, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Previously announced in November 2022, the fund will aid a number of social programs across the world.

To launch the Legacy Fund, the initiative was presented and signed on an online meeting.

Attendees included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi.

The FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund will be deployed across the following streams:

Public Health/Occupational Health and Safety: The Legacy Fund will contribute to programs which aim to improve working conditions, and health and wellbeing. In particular, FIFA will support WHO’s Beat the Heat initiative, to protect people from the hazards caused by extreme heat and the advance of climate change.

Education: In conjuncture with the WTO and International Trade Centre, FIFA will bolster the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a program which seeks to empower female entrepreneurs. 

Refugees: In partnership with the UNHCR, FIFA will assist schemes which aim to strengthen vulnerable peoples’ self-sufficiency and access to basic amenities.

Football development: FIFA will place greater emphasis on finding young talents across remote, marginalised and developing countries through the Aspire Academy and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, headed by Arsène Wenger. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his pride for the Legacy Fund.

“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund is a landmark project that builds on the unprecedented impact of the tournament from a sustainability point of view,” he said via press release.

“FIFA is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the next level in terms of reach and impact by tackling key priorities such as refugees, occupational health, education, and football development. I would like to thank the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization for their commitment to, and cooperation on, this historic initiative.”

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the importance of the partnership.

“The worlds of sport and health must collaborate to create safe, clean and healthy environments for all people engaged in the preparation, delivery and legacy of mega sport events, including workers, athletes, spectators, and communities,” he said in a press release.

To learn more about the Legacy Fund, FIFA has launched a website.

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