PFA to maintain its connection with Beyond Bank as sponsor

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Image credit: PFA

Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has extended its ongoing community connection with Beyond Bank Australia as Official Banking and Community Partner.

Beyond Bank will remain the Naming Rights Sponsor of the PFA Community Medal and continue its support for the PFA’s charity, the Footballers’ Trust.

Established in 2017, the PFA Community Medal celebrates the exceptional efforts of PFA members making a meaningful difference in their communities, highlighting the PFA’s dedication to make sure football is a force for positive social change.

Past recipients of the award include Rebekah Stott (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), Robbie Cornthwaite (Beards of Hope), Nigel Boogaard (Hunter Life Education’s Ocsober campaign), Luke Brattan (Leukemia Foundation), Aivi Luik (Mark Hughes Foundation), and Alex Chidiac (OneBall).

In support of this initiative, Beyond Bank will contribute $2,500 to the charity chosen by the recipient of the 2025 PFA Beyond Bank Community Medal.

PFA Chief Executive, Beau Busch, acknowledged the continued involvement of Beyond Bank, highlighting the strength of the relationship and its shared commitment to community impact and player wellbeing.

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Beyond Bank, who have become a valued community partner of the PFA and a key supporter of the Footballers’ Trust and the Beyond Bank Community Medal,” he said via PFA’s statement.

“Their commitment to social impact and financial wellbeing aligns with our mission to support players on and off the pitch, and they have helped to elevate the outstanding community work undertaken by our members and community initiatives supported by the Trust.”

Beyond Bank’s Head of Community, Marlaina McPhillips, emphasised the organisation’s focus on community-driven outcomes and praised the ongoing relationship with the PFA.

“As a customer-owned bank, supporting local communities to make a positive difference is at the heart of everything we do. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Professional Footballers Australia,” she said via press release.

“The work that the PFA does in supporting its players allows them to use sport to make a positive impact on their community.

“This relationship is a great example of how coming together we can all work on achieving these positive outcomes for our communities.”

Since 2019, the Footballers’ Trust has directed $500,000 in donations to 24 organisations focused on human rights, inclusion, football, and community development across Australia.

Follow this link to explore the Footballers’ Trust Report.

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AC Milan and Puma Unveil New 2026/27 Away Kit

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Image Credit: AC Milan S.p.A.
AC Milan and Puma have officially unveiled the clubs the new 2026/27 away kit, a timeless white kit that celebrates resilience, heritage and the winning mentality that has defined the Rossoneri for generations.

Inspired by the phrase “after Istanbul, there is always Athens” the kit pays tribute to AC Milan’s triumph in the 2007 Champions League Final in Athens following their defeat in Istanbul in 2005. The message printed on the back of the collar, reflects the club’s enduring spirit and serves as a reminder that every setback can become the foundation for future success.

Leading the campaign is club legend Filipo Inzaghi who scored two goals to lead AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, embodying the determination, resilience and hunger that continues to define AC Milan’s identity.

Every detail on this years away kit reinforces this story. Gold accents and a laurel wrapped club crest celebrates a storied history of success, while the authentic version features the Greek inscription “Δύναμη Ψυχής” (“Strength of Spirit”) inside the collar. A subtle phoenix wing woven into the fabric symbolises renewal, resilience and the Club’s commitment to continually rising to new challenges.

The authentic jersey is engineered with PUMA’s advanced ULTRAWEAVE fabric, complemented by dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies to deliver lightweight feel and optimal performance. The replica version brings the same identity combining the same striking design with everyday wearability and is made with RE technology, incorporating 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The new AC Milan 2026/27 Away Kit is available now through AC Milan Official Stores, the Club’s online store, PUMA and selected retailers worldwide.

Bentleigh Greens and Metricon Bring Local Business Community Together Through Networking Initiative

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Image Credit: One-Nil Media

Bentleigh Greens FC has reinforced its commitment to supporting its community beyond football, partnering with Metricon Homes to host a business networking evening designed to strengthen relationships between local businesses, sponsors and club stakeholders.

 

A unique setting for meaningful connections

Held inside one of Metricon’s display homes, the Bentleigh Greens Business Networking Night welcomed around 60 local business owners, club partners and community leaders for an evening focused on connection, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Rather than a traditional function space, Metricon opened the doors of one of its display homes, creating a unique networking environment that highlighted how the space could be transformed into a premium venue while providing guests with a relaxed setting to build professional relationships.

The event reflects a growing trend across community football, where clubs are increasingly positioning themselves as platforms for business engagement and local economic development, alongside their role in delivering participation opportunities on the pitch.

Guests also heard from strategic futurist Marcus Barber, who delivered a presentation examining the growing influence of artificial intelligence on modern business. His insights encouraged attendees to consider how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and the importance of preparing for future change.

 

Creating value beyond sponsorship

While commercial outcomes were never the primary objective, the evening was designed to create long-term value by fostering meaningful relationships between businesses connected to the Bentleigh Greens community.

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with several attendees already establishing new contacts and beginning discussions around potential collaborations.

The initiative also highlights Metricon’s broader commitment to supporting local communities beyond residential construction. By partnering with Bentleigh Greens and providing the venue, the company helped facilitate an event that encouraged learning, networking and stronger community connections.

 

Football clubs as community business hubs

For community football clubs, initiatives such as these demonstrate how partnerships can extend beyond traditional sponsorship models. By creating opportunities for local businesses to engage with one another, clubs can strengthen their commercial networks while delivering tangible value to sponsors and the wider community.

As football clubs continue to explore new ways of engaging stakeholders off the field, events like the Bentleigh Greens Business Networking Night illustrate how sport can serve as a catalyst for meaningful business relationships and long-term community growth.

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