Parma stadium redevelopment approved by city council

Italian Serie B football club Parma Calcio 1913 will continue its work on creating ‘a unique and historical opportunity’ for the city after proposals for the redevelopment of its stadium, Stadio Ennio Tardini, were approved by the city council.

The club, which was relegated from the Serie A last season, unveiled initial plans in April last year with its design partner, Studio Zoppini, with the slogan ‘A Stadium for Parma, inspired by Parma’.

Parma’s City Council has now voted in favour of a resolution deeming the project to be of ‘public interest’, paving the way for the club to present its proposal for the redevelopment of the stadium. In total, it was 20 votes in favour, seven against, and four abstentions.

Deputy Mayor of Parma, Marco Bosi:

“The project presented by Parma Calcio is not perfect, but it is a huge step forward for our city. The task of this administration is to seize this opportunity by trying to obtain the best possible stadium,” he said.

“A project that will make the Tardini an opportunity for the neighbourhood during the week and a welcoming place on match day, especially for people that are heavily penalised today, such as the disabled and families.”

Parma Calcio 1913 club statement:

“The club expresses full satisfaction with the adopted measure and thanks Mayor (Federico) Pizzarotti, the Deputy Mayor Bosi, the City Council, RUP ing. Gadaleta and all the offices and parties involved in the feasibility study evaluation procedure,” it read.

“It also thanks the people of Parma for their prolonged support of this initiative, aware of the extraordinary opportunity that the decision from Parma Calcio 1913 offers. The club continues to work tirelessly towards the final project in order to create a unique and historical opportunity for Parma, its people and, more generally, the wider area.”

Although this is a big step towards progressing with redevelopments for Stadio Ennio Tardini, there are still people who oppose to the plans.

Parma Democratic Party municipal councillor, Lorenzo Lavagetto:

“First of all we posed a question of legitimacy on the resolution. We have concerns based on the fact that it should be the City Council, and not a resolution of the council, to vote for it. I presented the request for suspension but it was not accepted,” he said.

“I believe that the project needs to be changed from an architectural point of view. I hope that the project can be remodelled in more appropriate terms for the built-up area to create the least possible inconvenience for its inhabitants.

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Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Launches Youth League and Poaching Program

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.

Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

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