Rainbow Laces campaign supported by Premier League

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The Premier League is currently celebrating Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, as part of a partnership with the lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) charity.

The Premier League is currently celebrating Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, as part of a partnership with the lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) charity.

A new two-year strategic partnership was announced between the Premier League and Stonewall last week. The league has been partners with the charity since 2017 as it looks to improve inclusivity in the sport.

The partnership will focus on education, LGBT+ acceptance will be encouraged in football programmes for children and young people.

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign will be in focus across two match weeks from the 4-13 December in the Premier League.

“The Premier League is committed to promoting equality in all we do and we are pleased to extend our relationship with Stonewall through this new strategic partnership,” Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters said.

“There is no place for discrimination of any kind in football or wider society.

“Our new partnership focuses on developing the positive LGBT+ inclusion projects we have carried out with Stonewall in recent years.

“A great deal of work has taken place to make football as welcoming as possible, promoting diversity on and off the pitch, and within our clubs’ communities.

“However, we know there is more to do and we look forward to making further progress.”

The campaign has seen Rainbow Laces themed ball plinths, handshake boards and substitute boards – players have been able to show their support through rainbow armbands for captains and rainbow laces.

The Premier League’s digital channels have been changed to feature a rainbow Premier League logo in support of the campaign.

Clubs have also launched initiatives to show their support – ahead of the Tottenham vs Arsenal match yesterday, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was lit up in rainbow colours.

“We’re immensely proud to announce the next phase of our strategic partnership with the Premier League during this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign,” Stonewall’s Chief Executive, Nancy Kelley said.

“The Premier League’s early support was a huge catalyst for driving change across football and sport more widely.”

“We look forward to continue building on our partnership and working ever more closely with the Premier League to create a game where all LGBT+ people are welcome and able to fulfil their potential in football.”

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Daniel Foley is a sports junior journalist with Soccerscene. He reports widely on football policy and micro industry matters.

Melbourne City FC and Tarneit United to promote grassroots growth

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Tarneit United and Melbourne City
Image credit: Tarneit United

Melbourne City FC announced that Tarneit United Soccer Club are a Macca’s City Clubs Platinum Partner for the current 2023/24 A-Leagues season.

Melbourne City have used their partnership with McDonald’s Australia to create The Macca’s City Clubs program. This program aims to engage junior grassroots football clubs across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria with the aim to help grow football on and off the pitch.

The club seek to create purposeful long-term relationships with every club they work with and make a huge impact on the development and participation numbers of the sport.

It was originally launched in the 2021/22 A-Leagues season, and the club continues to grow the club network utilising this amazing program every season.

There are plenty of benefits for Tarneit United SC that come out of this partnership including “Coach the Coach” workshops led by our experienced Melbourne City coaches, player meet and greets, and the opportunity to take part in exclusive matchday experiences and offers.

Tarneit United President, Burhan Farah explained why this partnership would benefit the members of the club greatly.

“Tarneit United is in the heart of the west and we’re excited to partner with the best A-League club in the country. Farah mentioned in a Melbourne City press release

“A love for football is our number one driver, and by aligning our club with Melbourne City FC, we hope to inspire our coaches and players to continue to grow our game in the community.

“It’s an honour to be a Macca’s City Club Platinum Partner and we look forward to supporting Melbourne City from the stands this season.”

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse explained the importance of growing grassroots football in Victoria.

“We’re delighted to welcome Tarneit United to the Macca’s City Club program on the eve of the 2023/24 A-Leagues season. Rowse added in a club press release.

“Supporting grassroots football is important to us at Melbourne City FC, and with the addition of Tarneit United, we now have thirteen Macca’s City Club Platinum Partners stretching right across Melbourne.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Tarneit United and can’t wait to give their participants plenty of unforgettable experiences and opportunities in the years ahead.”

Melbourne City through their Football School and Maccas City Clubs programs have set a standard for the other teams in the league to hopefully follow in the near future.

The importance of setting a fantastic grassroots foundation of football in the country can never be undermined and this partnership provides another great example of it.

PSG eyeing huge Parc des Princes redevelopment

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Parc des Princes revamp
Image credit: Zakarie Faibis via Wikimedia Commons

Despite uncertainties over its future at the 48,000-capacity Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain is continuing to investigate possibilities for significant redevelopment work.

According to the French publication L’Équipe, PSG is considering putting a roof and a retractable pitch to the Parc des Princes as part of an ambitious expansion proposal. The stadium is owned by the City Council of Paris, and any substantial renovations would need PSG to buy the site.

PSG has many possibilities on the table, according to L’Équipe, and the club is still interested in purchasing the Stade de France. PSG must submit an offer to purchase the Stade de France by January 3.

PSG held a survey with its supporters in March about the club’s stadium alternatives, outlining four ideas. A “significant” refurbishment of the Parc des Princes, a shift to a restored Stade de France, a new stadium to the west of Paris, and a new site within a 20 kilometre radius of the Parc des Princes that may include the town of Poissy were all possibilities.

If the team is unable to execute a deal to buy the Parc des Princes, it may attempt to buy the Stade de France or relocate to one of two new locations in the city.

The French government presently owns the Stade de France through the Consortium Stade de France. In 1995, the state handed the two corporations control of the 77,083-capacity stadium under a deal with the partnership created by construction firms Vinci and Bouygues.

The agreement between Vinci and Bouygues will expire on July 1, 2025. The cost of acquiring the facility is estimated to be over $657 million, with additional expenditure necessary to transform it to the demands of a football club.

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