Strathfield Strikers FC host third annual Female Football Festival

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Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA) side Strathfield Strikers Football Club recently hosted its third successive Female Football Festival on Sunday March 27 at Strathfield Park.

The idea was kicked-off in 2020 by Alexandra and Angelica Georgopoulos with the aim being to promote women’s football in the CDSFA area. The event has now branched to feature teams from across the Sydney metropolitan area, thanks in no small part to the integral and determined efforts of the Georgopoulos sisters in promoting the female game.

“We had 36 teams this year, which is double what we had last year,” Angelica stated to Football NSW.

“My sister Alexandra and I have extreme passions for football, and we grew up with football when it “wasn’t for girls” – we wanted to ensure that every single girl has the opportunity to play.

“We wanted to break down the stereotypes and highlight what our girls of all ages can do.

“Despite the rain, which proved to be a highlight of the day, this was the biggest and most exciting day than it has been in the last 2 years, and we will continue this legacy as a club for years to come.”

The day started at 8:30am and finished at 8:30pm where trophies were awarded to the winners of all age groups which spanned from the Under 10’s right through to the Over 35 Women’s.

The event also hosted Andy Paschalidis from Heartbeat of Football who made an appearance as well as having Defibrillator Demonstrations from John and Brendan Zuza from Response for Life and a Heart Health Check – from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Strathfield Council MP Jason Li and Strathfield Deputy Mayor Karen Pensabene were also present as they proudly presented a NSW Government Community Service Award to the Georgopoulos sisters who have been massive female advocates and pioneers of the female football game in the area.

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Bentleigh Greens sign Astoria GWM as Major Partner in two-year deal

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

Bentleigh Greens has signed  Astoria GWM as a new Major Partner, with the local business committing to back the club for the next two seasons.
The agreement gives the Cheltenham-based Greens long-term commercial support for their senior men’s, women’s and junior programs at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, and adds another local name to the club’s growing list of business partners.

Bentleigh Greens President Abraam Gregoriou said the deal showed business recognising the value of football in the community.”Seeing local businesses like Astoria GWM put their hand up to back the Greens is exactly what football in this country needs,” Gregoriou said.

“Clubs like ours look after hundreds of players, from our youngest juniors right through to our senior men’s and women’s sides, and that growth simply doesn’t happen without partners who are willing to invest in it.

A two-year commitment gives us the stability to plan properly, and it shows that business sees real value in the game and the community around it.”

The multi-year term is significant for a club at NPL level, where commercial income underpins everything from senior squads to junior and women’s pathways, and where certainty beyond a single season allows for longer-term planning.

Astoria GWM is a well-established business in Melbourne’s south-east, and the club has described it as a great fit for the Greens and their local community.

“Astoria GWM are part of the same neighbourhoods our members and families live in,” Gregoriou added. “That’s what makes this partnership so meaningful for us, and we’re looking forward to building something strong together over the next two seasons.”

The partnership continues the Greens’ approach of aligning with businesses that share the club’s commitment to community and long-term development.

About Astoria GWM
Astoria GWM is a well-established local GWM dealership based in Murrumbeena, serving drivers and families across Melbourne’s south-east.

Showroom: 961 North Rd, Murrumbeena VIC 3163
Sales: (03) 9599 2155

Soceroos and Matildas sue Football Australia over financial dispute

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Image Credit: Football Australias

Players of the Socceroos and Matildas have launched legal action against Football Australia over a multi-million dollar dispute relating to their revenue-sharing agreement in the NSW Supreme Court.

According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), are enacting on behalf of the players and are understood to be pursuing a seven figure claim.

The PFA is expected to argue the revenue-sharing agreement between the governing body and national team players is not being fulfilled properly.

The PFA is yet to comment.

But the FA has acknowledged the legal dispute, claiming it is in relation to, “a third party in connection with a separate matter currently being conducted before the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC)”.

‘The Supreme Court’s role is limited to the subpoena process, and its involvement ends once that process is complete,’ an FA spokesperson said.

‘As the NDRC matter is ongoing and subject to confidentiality obligations, Football Australia will not comment further,’ they stated.

In 2023, a collective bargaining agreement was signed between the players’ union and FA. It gave the Socceroos and Matildas stars a portion of the national teams revenue which contributes up to half of FA’s overall earnings.

Additionally, the agreement included incentives for players and FA to work together, allowing both sides the chance to reap even larger rewards.

Registration fees or sponsors for programs that fund grassroots football are strictly prohibited in relation to the players’ cut of revenue. 

However, as long as it relates to the national team the players receive an 18-20 per cent portion of all relevant finances. This could include ticketing, kit sales, broadcast or sponsorship contracts. Through the CBA this money makes its way back to the players.

Matildas icon Lisa De Vanna, who played 150 times for the national team from 2004-19 has already made her opinion heard on there lawsuit via X.

“1 of the best-paid teams in the world, w best elite environments: 40 personal staff,business flights,5 star hotels, private chefs N baristas n still not happy,” she said.

“Instead of knocking game when it’s at its lowest, maybe play for pride n not greed.”

The disagreement comes just before the Socceroos head to the Middle East during the November international break.

With the squad set to be announced later this week, the ill-feeling between players and the governing body will hopefully remain separate from the performances on the pitch.

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