Sydney FC announce significant five-year deal with Macquarie University

Sydney FC and Macquarie University

Sydney FC have announced a huge five-year deal with Macquarie University to become the Sky Blue’s principal partner.

The deal continues one of the most significant partnerships in the club’s history, with both parties already establishing a long-term relationship over many years. Sydney FC first began training at Macquarie University Sports Fields during the A-League 2006-07 season.

This news comes shortly after the opening of Sky Park, its brand new $30 million world class football and community precinct based at Macquarie University’s Sports Fields.

The partnership will focus on significant engagement between the club and the University’s community and health and well-being programs. In addition to that, Macquarie University will feature on both the Sydney FC’s Men’s and Women’s kits at the front.

Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow expressed his excitement to continue with Macquarie.

“This is the start of a new era in our partnership with Macquarie University,” he said in a club press release

“Over the last 17 years we have forged a strong relationship, and with the opening of Sky Park, we are now able to take this partnership to a new level.

“We are excited to work closer than ever before with Macquarie University to positively impact the lives of young people and our community through football.”

Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rorden Wilkinson shared the same excited sentiment in his statement.

“Sydney FC has used Macquarie University as a training base for the last 17 years and this new collaboration is a natural evolution of our relationship. he added via media release.

“We are delighted to be deepening our partnership. Our value systems come together very well, given our shared commitment to nurture and develop talent in both education and sport.

“The partnership is a natural alignment for both organisations supporting grass roots health and wellbeing initiatives to do good in the world.

“There is shared commitment to inclusion and Sydney FC has an extraordinary heritage in its support of the A-League Women’s and Men’s competition and that’s something the University is delighted to help progress.

“The partnership is a unique opportunity for Sydney FC and Macquarie University to embark on a range of health and community support projects as a team. We want to use football as a vehicle for community participation and empowerment. We are both very keen to expand our shared accessibility agenda.

“We are also very happy that Macquarie University will be providing pathways to help players to transition to new careers at the right time.  Through our college and other entry pathways we have been increasing access to University for decades and we can’t wait to welcome some of the Sydney FC famous faces as our students.”

This partnership has been going strong for many years due to the fact that each parties values align in wanting to improve grassroots football as well as setting up young men and women for success.

This is a terrific decision by the Sky Blues who will no doubt benefit from the University’s facilities as they embark on potential success in the upcoming 2023/24 season.

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Northern NSW Football referee camp cultivates talent and growth

Last month, during the 2024 Champion of Champions tournament in Coffs Harbour, Northern NSW Football conducted a Referees Development Camp, 24 referee participants attended the development initiative.

The week-long, future-focused camp was planned and led by NNSWF Referee Manager Brad Carlin and his ensemble of referee coaches.

The referee coaches conduct daily performance reviews and debriefs, followed by an evening coaching presentation. The initiative represents a structured approach to referee development, combining practical experience and theoretical training.

Presentations covered an array of beneficial long-term successful traits within the field of referring.

  • Body language, confidence, and concentration
  • Positioning, movement, and anticipation
  • Severity and tactical fouls assessment
  • Assistant referee skills
  • Team coordination between officials
  • Conflict management (players and technical areas)
  • NNSWF Referee Development Pathway

NNSWF Referee Manager Brad Carlin expressed positive sentiments towards the growth and success of the camp.

“The aims of our referee camps are to provide consistent, quality coaching to develop young match officials from across our member zones and to identify those referees who have the talent and commitment to potentially be an elite match official of the future,” he said via press release.

“There were many outstanding performances during this year’s camp, but what impressed our referee coaches the most was the clear improvement that every participant showed in responding so well to the coaching we gave them.”

The camp’s success and investment in the collective growth of the referee position within football are outstanding achievements. The opportunity for referee participants to be showcased and identified as future match officials made the camp beneficial for all parties involved.

This program nurtures the industry’s future, enabling the participants with the correct skills for further career advancement and opening pathway opportunities in football officiating careers.

The Referees Development Camp was made possible by the member zones, the partnership between coaches and officials, and the integration with the Champion of Champions tournament.

The Female Referee of the Tournament was awarded to Matilda Armstrong, Harrison Coleman took home the Male Referee of the Tournament and both were appointed to referee the grand final matches.

Evolv Technology confirms leadership changes

The American security technology company, Evolv Technology, has fired President and CEO Peter George amid an internal investigation.

Evolv’s security products are used to detect weapons in arenas worldwide, protecting stadiums in football leagues such as the EPL and MLS, plus American sports such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. The iconic MCG in Melbourne also employs Evolv’s security systems.

Evolv’s board had evaluated leadership at the company since May and terminated George’s contract without cause, effective immediately on October 30.

Evolv’s board outlined the need for change, meanwhile thanking Peter for his dedication to the company.

“We appreciate Peter’s years of dedication to our company and his significant contributions to the company’s mission. We wish him well in his future endeavors. That said, we have determined that a change in leadership is needed to improve the company’s culture as we prepare for the next phase of growth,” the board said via press release.

“We continue to believe that the fundamentals of our business remain strong. But we are also convinced that the company can do even better.”

Evolv has chosen co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ellenbogen as Interim President and CEO, as he imagined the long-term mission for the company.

“As a co-founder, I care deeply for this company and its customers, employees, and shareholders. I look forward to working closely with the board and our senior leadership team to advance our mission of creating a safer world while also driving the business forward,” he said via press release.

The Evolv board also reaffirmed the decision to terminate George’s contract was not in relation to the company’s recent inaccurate financial statements and declaration to delay future statements.

“The Board has been evaluating leadership and performance for several months – long before we became aware of any potential issues relating to the company’s sales practices and financial reporting. With respect to that ongoing investigation, the board remains committed to completing a thorough investigation as expeditiously as possible. Our goal is to ensure the company’s financial reports are always current and reliable and that our organizational culture reflects our values of integrity and honesty. That is the only way we can regain the trust and confidence of our investors.”

Evolv’s internal investigation is still ongoing, while the board aims to appoint a new CEO promptly.

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