Sports Flick secures exclusive K-League rights deal

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Australian sports streaming service Sports Flick have secured an exclusive TV rights deal to broadcast South Korea’s K-League 1.

The multi-year agreement begins for the 2021 K-League season and was brokered with the official global media rights distribution partner for the K-League, Sportradar.

Sports Flick said that the deal supported its commitment to provide the Australian audience with more football.

“We are excited to be partnering with the K-League providing Australians with the opportunities to watch some of the best football in Asia,” Sports Flick General Manager Michael Turner said.

The 2021 K-League season kicks off on Saturday February 27 when Jeonbuk take on FC Seoul at 4PM AEDT. Four Australians are set to play in the league this season – Jason Davidson (Ulsan Hyundai), Terry Antonis (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), Alex Grant (Pohang Steelers), and Harrison Delbridge (Incheon United).

“Sportradar’s goal is to expand the global reach of the K-League, and we are therefore extremely excited to sign a long term partnership with Sports Flick to bring one of Asia’s best football leagues, with top Australian talent on display to screens across Australia,” Sportradar Senior Director Lutz Tigges said.

Sports Flick’s content focuses on growing and emerging sports – the OTT platform currently broadcasts the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the European Baseball Super League, alongside a number of cricket, boxing and other sporting events.

On Tuesday, K-League and Sportradar also announced the launch of OTT platform K-League TV. The service has been created for international markets and will be available for the 2021 season.

Sportradar said that viewers in Macau, Indonesia and the Philippines would be able to watch K-League through either K-League TV or their local broadcasters.

“The past year has seen a lot of changes in consumption of content, and we feel that the time is right to expand our fanbase by this platform that reaches out to a global audience,” K-League Secretary General Yeon Sang Cho said.

“We have players from all around the world playing, and it’s time that we have fans from around the world able to share in the joy and passion with is the K-League.”

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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