South Hobart FC Unveil Mason Merino as 2025 Sponsor

Ruby Reilly27/10/2025 5:55 am26/10/2025

Image Credit: South Hobart FC Facebook

South Hobart Football Club have officially announced via social media that Mason William Merino will become the club’s front-of-shirt partner for the upcoming 2025 Australian Championship.

This marks the beginning of a proud partnership between two Tasmanian organisations united by shared values of excellence, sustainability, and community.

Mason William Merino is a premium Tasmanian apparel brand renowned for producing sustainable, ultra-fine Merino wool garments. The brand’s products are designed to perform in all environments, and are celebrated for their refined, high-quality craftsmanship.

The collaboration brings together Tasmania’s footballing tradition and one of the state’s most respected lifestyle brands, reflecting a mutual commitment to showcasing Tasmanian innovation on the national stage.

In announcing the partnership, South Hobart FC expressed their excitement at representing local quality and identity in the inaugural Australian Championship.

“As we compete in the inaugural Australian Championship, we couldn’t be prouder to wear Tasmania across our chests – literally,” the club wrote via social media.

The partnership will see the Mason William Merino logo displayed prominently on the front of South Hobart’s playing shirts throughout the 2025 season, as the club competes against some of the best teams in the country.

Both the club and the brand share a strong connection to Tasmania’s community and environment, both are values that lie at the heart of the collaboration.

South Hobart FC stated that they are thrilled to partner with a 100% Tasmanian-owned business that not only champions sustainability through its use of Merino wool, but also supports local sport.

The announcement underlines the growing influence of Tasmanian enterprises in national competitions and the pride that comes with representing the island state.

With this new partnership, South Hobart FC will proudly carry the spirit of Tasmania into the 2025 Australian Championship, both in performance and in purpose.

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Australian referee strike ends ahead of new A-League season

Oliver Van Bronswijk06/10/2026 11:24 am06/10/2026

Image Credits: Shutterstock

Australia’s referee crisis is over as Football Australia (FA), the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and the Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA) have reached an agreement ahead of the 2026/27 domestic season.

The deal ends industrial action that began on September 4th. Nearly 100 of Australia’s top referees had refused appointments during the dispute. The agreement provides immediate certainty for officials. It also clears the way for Australia’s top referees to return for the Australia Cup Final this week and the opening rounds of the A-League Men and Women competitions.

Under the new framework, referees will be contracted and employed exclusively by Football Australia. The APL will cover the cost of referees appointed to A-League matches. The arrangement runs through the end of the 2026/27 season. The three organisations will continue discussions on a longer-term structure for elite refereeing in Australia.

The agreement resolves the central dispute between the parties. Football Australia had proposed shifting responsibility for A-League referees to the APL. The referees opposed the move. They raised concerns about employment certainty. They also questioned the independence of referees working under a league controlled by the clubs they officiate.

The dispute had already disrupted Australian football. Singaporean officials were brought in for the Australia Cup semi-final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. Rookie Australian officials also took charge of another Cup fixture during the strike. The crisis therefore moved beyond a contractual disagreement. It affected the delivery of major matches.

The A-League Men season begins on October 16 with the Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium and the A-League Women season will also begin in October. The agreement solves the immediate problem. It does not end the wider debate over refereeing in Australian football.

FA, the APL and the PFRA must now build a sustainable model for elite officials. The strike exposed uncertainty around contracts, funding and governance. Those issues cannot return every time a new season approaches. Australian football can moves forward, but this is an issue that should be reviewed for the sustainability of Australian referees.

Focus Construct moves to front of shirt as Brisbane Roar partnership grows

Lorcan Marelich29/09/2026 6:05 am28/09/2026

Image Credit: Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar has expanded its relationship with Queensland construction company Focus Construct, with the business moving from sleeve sponsor to major partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season.

Focus Construct joined the Roar ahead of the previous campaign as a Platinum Partner, with its branding appearing on the sleeves of the club’s home, away and third kits

The new agreement moves the company into the most prominent commercial position on all three men’s playing jerseys, giving the partnership a significantly larger matchday and broadcast footprint.

Roar CEO and Chairman Kaz Patafta said the expanded partnership reflected Focus Construct’s continued commitment to the club.

“Twelve months later they’ve backed that up by taking the most visible spot we have, and it tells our members and fans a lot about where this club is heading,” Patafta said.

Focus Construct CEO Todd Dunlop said the company were keen to continue supporting a club which that has a strong presence within the Queensland local footballing community.

“We wanted to show our support for a true Queensland sporting club, one with deep community roots and real pathways for local talent to succeed on the world stage,” Dunlop said.

The Bowen Hills-based construction business works across sectors including hospitality, education, sporting venues, government, community facilities and commercial developments.

The partnership also creates a natural connection between the two organisations’ involvement in Queensland infrastructure and sport, with Focus Construct having previously highlighted its interest in supporting the Roar’s development both on and off the field.

The deal gives the Roar another example of a commercial partnership growing in value over time, while providing Focus Construct with a larger platform across the club’s domestic campaign.