South Eastern suburbs continue to score goals with facility upgrade investments

Covid-recovery stimulus funding of $2.75 million for sports centres in Greater Dandenong has seen the State Government utilise $1.75 million of this package towards Ross Reserve, home to Springvale City SC and Sandown Lions FC.

Previously in April, the Frankston City Council funded upgrades to sport and recreation, where the Peninsula Strikers Junior Football Club benefited from. Now the cash splash by the State Government have made its way to Noble Park.

The crusade of bringing community sport to a higher standard is evident from the plans shared by the City of Greater Dandenong, where the funding to Ross Reserve will install a synthetic soccer pitch, 200-lux floodlighting for the pitch and landscaping, two coaches’ boxes with an additional technical box and perimeter fencing.

The City of Greater Dandenong will contribute $616,000 to the cause, with the remaining of the State Government package to be put towards upgrading the tennis courts of the Burden Park Tennis Club.

“This is a massive win for the Ross Reserve precinct and Noble Park – and builds on the other infrastructure projects that are currently underway including the New Sports Pavilion, the new All Abilities Playground and the new Health and Wellbeing Centre at the Noble Park Aquatic Centre (NPAC),” South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis said, chair of the Noble Park Revitalisation Board.

“These important projects will deliver state-of-the-art facilities for our local community and for existing and future members of the clubs that use them for decades to come – as well as create local jobs in the short term.”

This is welcoming news as it comes from the back of the genesis of the Ross Reserve project in September 2020. The announcement of that time included a premium community standard sports pavilion that provides female and junior friendly facilities that would cater for Football Victoria, AFL and Cricket Victoria standards, an oval extension and a jogging/tank track.

Other infrastructures undergoing development at the reserve is an All-Abilities playground and streetscaping on Douglas Street, Noble Park, that the council have received a budget of $500,000 to get it up and running.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding which will have lasting benefits for the health of our community through new and improved sports facilities,” Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said.

“There is significant work underway throughout our city, and in particular through the work of our Noble Park Revitalisation Board.”

The projected finish of construction was originally tabled towards the end of 2021, but with additional funding towards new project works at Ross Reserve, it remains unclear. However, what is certain is the enhancement of the healthy local derby between the two football clubs while taking full advantage of the facility investments provided by the State Government.

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AFC aligns with AIAC for improved football dispute resolution

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), highlighting their dedication to fortifying football law and to providing multiple sports dispute resolution pathways in Asia.

The MoU, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, is a three-year agreement which aims to cultivate greater collaboration between the AFC and AIAC.

The agreement is the latest in a long running partnership for the AFC and AIAC. Since 2015, the organisations have cooperated to host seminars, conferences and training programs, focused on educating the public and officials about sports law and dispute resolution.

AFC General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, Andrew Mercer, expressed his excitement for the agreement via press release.

“We are delighted to formalise this important collaboration with the AIAC, who share common interests and values to promote academic and practical training in sports specific alternative dispute resolution in Asia,” he said.

AIAC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Almalena Sharmila Johan, conveyed a similar sentiment.

“As we embark on this partnership, we celebrate the convergence of our expertise, values and dedication to raising the standards of ADR within the sporting community. The ASIAN Sports Arbitration Rules exemplified our commitment to advancing the spirit of justice in the sports industry as a whole, by providing a comprehensive framework for expedient dispute resolution that best preserves fairness and integrity within sports,” she said via press release.

This latest agreement will facilitate the AFC’s and AIAC’s desire to operate a yearly workshop or conference concentrating on sports law.

Both organisations wish to voice a plurality of opinions across Asia to explore conversations about recent sports law trends and developments across the continent and the world.

Additionally, this space would also provide an opportunity to discuss and review best law practices and alternative dispute resolution methods to find new solutions and remedies that will strengthen the future of Asian sports law.

FIFPRO Europe and UEFA sign MoU to enhance players’ influence

UEFA and FIFPRO Europe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening players’ influence in European football governance.

As part of the agreement signed by both organisations’ leaders in Paris, a FIFPRO Europe representative will join UEFA’s executive committee starting May 2025.

UEFA has also pledged to consult FIFPRO Europe on decisions affecting players’ employment conditions and any competition reforms that could influence players’ workload.

Additionally, active players and player representatives will take part in a new UEFA Professional Players’ Advisory Forum, set to begin meeting next month to discuss solutions for collective challenges facing professional footballers in Europe.

This three-year MOU will grant footballers and their unions more influence over decisions impacting their work, including match calendar adjustments, playing conditions, and health and safety issues.

The agreement also establishes a framework for FIFPRO Europe and UEFA to work together on initiatives to advance women’s football, focusing on fair employment conditions and minimum standards.

The two organisations will also collaborate on medical research, player education, and awareness campaigns addressing doping and discrimination.

Additional collaboration areas include strengthening stakeholder dialogue at both national and European levels, exploring joint commercial opportunities involving player data and intellectual property rights, and offering support to players who are out of contract.

FIFPRO President, David Terrier, was full of positive thoughts regarding this agreement.

“This agreement is a hugely positive milestone for professional players across Europe. With player representation now anchored at UEFA’s highest level, we are securing a stronger voice for players where it matters most,” he said via press release.

“Our ongoing dialogue with UEFA is already yielding positive results, and this MoU will only strengthen our ability to shape a framework that will advance player welfare and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for football, where the needs and rights of players shall always be at the forefront, both on and off the pitch.”

UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, is confident their relationship with FIFPRO will support the growth of football for all.

“This partnership represents a new era in our relationship with FIFPRO Europe. Players are at the heart of football, and their perspectives must shape the decisions taken,” he said via press release.

“By inviting them to join the UEFA Executive Committee, we are creating a more inclusive future for the game, one in which the topic of player welfare will be at the forefront. This is about making tangible strides to ensure football continues to grow for everyone.”

You can view the MOU here.

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