Sydney FC break women’s membership record two months before new season

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Sydney FC Liberty A-League Grand Final 2022-23
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Sydney FC have announced that they have broken the club’s A-League Women’s Membership record two months ahead of the start of the Liberty A-League season.

The recent Matildas dream World Cup campaign as co-hosts will be a perfect opportunity for the A-Leagues and its clubs to use this wave of momentum with women’s football into gathering much needed support and interest for the league.

Sydney FC set themselves a target 1,000 Members for the 2023-24 Women’s season and are already well ahead of schedule surpassing their previous best.

Sydney FC have recently been using a marketing campaign, titled ‘Target 1000’ across their social channels with the sole goal  to promote and elevate women’s football by offering a unique opportunity to support and witness Australia’s best female footballers up close.

Matildas penalty shootout hero Courtnee Vine is at the centre of the posts which have been reading “Enjoying the vibe? You’ll love this” with Vine transitioning from Matildas kit to the Sky blue one.

Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Adam Santo expressed his excitement for next season’s A-Leagues competition which will be momentous for the club.

“This is a historic moment for football in this country and I’m excited to see people are rushing out to buy their Sydney FC Memberships,” he said in a press release.

“It will be an unforgettable season for both the Men’s and the Women’s leagues off the back of the biggest female sporting event to hit our shores.

“If you enjoyed the atmosphere at the live sites or in stadiums then you can continue to experience that by buying a Sydney FC Membership.

“You don’t want to miss out as this is why football is the most popular sport in the world.

“We want to defend our dual Championship and Premiership titles and our squad is set to be backed by everyone who has gone out to buy our Memberships.  They will offer something truly special for everyone.”

Full season men’s members have access to all Sydney FC Women’s home matches during the regular season as part of their membership package.

Importantly, kids under 16 go free to all Liberty A-League matches with the Liberty A-League Pass, which should help inspire the next generation of avid football fans in the country.

This is fantastic news to hear fresh off a successful campaign, proving the immense impact this brave Matildas squad is having on Australian football.

With the A-Leagues struggling for support over recent years and fans growing more discontent with decisions made at the top, the Women’s World Cup has presented teams a perfect opportunity to build a nice foundation for the near future and this momentum cannot be wasted.

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Labor announces campaign promise for Football facility upgrades in Hepburn Shire

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Soccer Facilities Set for $1.2 Million Upgrade in Hepburn Shire
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The growing participation of women and girls in soccer throughout the Hepburn Shire is set to receive a significant boost, with two local facilities earmarked for major upgrades.

Member for Ballarat Catherine King announced the funding commitment which targets Victoria Park in Daylesford and the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve in Creswick.

This funding is totalled at $1.2 million should the Federal Labor Government secure re-election on May 3. These upgrades address critical infrastructure shortfalls that have hindered growth in female participation.

Labor Federal MP Catherine King, who has held the Labor ‘stronghold’ seat since the 2022 election has been vocal in her support for women’s football and the struggles faced.

“The current situation where women and girls are forced to use men’s changerooms, cars or old sheds for match preparation is simply not acceptable in modern sport,” King commented via The Ballarat Times.

“These clubs have created welcoming environments that women and girls want to be part of, and these upgrades will provide the facilities they deserve.”

The Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, which currently supports approximately 150 players including 40 female participants, has been forced to implement membership caps due to inadequate pitch capacity.

The proposed reconfiguration at Victoria Park will deliver two senior-sized pitches, accommodating the surge in junior and women’s participation.

Meanwhile, at the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve, funding will enable the construction of additional female-friendly changing facilities for both players and officials.

The commitment reflects the changing landscape of Australian soccer, with female participation rates continuing to climb nationwide.

Local sporting administrators have welcomed the announcement, noting that inadequate facilities have long been identified as a significant barrier to growing female participation in grassroots sport.

These election commitments would be delivered in accordance with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles should the Albanese Government secure another term.

The need for development of local facilities has become more evident and pressing. Most amateur clubs primary funding for upgrades is through government grants.

Sport is such an integral part of the Australian landscape and the need for fair opportunity for women gains momentum, promises like this hold great hope for people and lasting positive impacts.

As the most played sport in the state and Australia, especially among women, its positive to hear that, like other codes football is getting the recognition and support it deserves.

DAZN turns down LFP proposal to end Ligue 1 broadcasting deal

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Image credit: DAZN

Broadcaster DAZN has rejected a proposal brought forward by the French Professional Football League (LFP) to terminate its five-year broadcasting deal for Ligue 1 after one season.

The sports streaming platform originally signed a five-year deal worth AUD $715 million (€400 million) a year to broadcast eight out of the nine Ligue 1 matches each week.

But with fewer subscribers than expected — reportedly only around 500,000, far below the 1.5 million needed to break even, the company has been pushing to renegotiate the deal.

In February, DAZN held back half of a AUD $125 million (€70 million) payment, accusing the LFP of not doing enough to fight piracy.

It also criticised the league and clubs for not promoting its broadcasts or collaborating on content.

The LFP responded by taking legal action, and DAZN eventually made the payment by the end of the month.

In March, both sides entered mediation to reach a compromise.

According to several reports, the proposed solution would have DAZN pay the league AUD$250 million (€140 million) — covering the full amount owed for this season — plus up to AUD$223.6 million (€125 million) in compensation for next season.

After that, the deal will officially end at the close of the current season.

This week, Ligue 1 clubs voted in favour of the proposal but DAZN has now rejected it, paving the way for possible legal action.

As a result, the LFP released a statement regarding DAZN’s rejection of the proposal.

“LFP Media notes the failure of the mediation initiated at the beginning of March 2025,” they said in a press release.

“The contract binding the parties remains in force and LFP Media expects its partner to fully fulfil all of its obligations in this regard.”

Before the mediation process began, DAZN had demanded AUD $1.025 billion (€573 million) in compensation from the LFP, accusing the league of not living up to its end of the deal.

In response to the LFP, DAZN released its own statement.

“After four months of discussions — including six weeks of mediation — initiated in good faith by DAZN and involving several proposals, the mediation unfortunately did not succeed in sufficiently bridging the gap between the parties,” they said following the LFP’s statement.

“It has therefore not been possible at this stage to reach an agreement for an amicable resolution of the situation.”

DAZN’s rejection of the deal has effectively ended the mediation process, with negotiations between the streaming service and the LFP now finished.

However, reports from France indicate that the two sides are expected to meet again on April 30th, the deadline for DAZN’s next payment for the current season.

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