Sydney FC looks to support its community with opening of world class facility at Sky Park

Sydney FC Sky Park

Australia’s most successful club Sydney FC is sure to be continuing with that standing as they opened its new facility in Sydney’s North.

The new state-of-the-art facility cost $30 million and will act not only as a facility for a world class football precinct but will also be a vital community facility.

The park will be used by Sydney FC as a training ground and the club will particularly focus on developing its A-League Women’s squad from the facility. It will be the first the time that the entire club will be based out of the same location.

Speaking on the club’s excitement Sydney FC Chairman, Scott Barlow – had this to say at the parks launch:

“Sky Park is finally here. It is a world class facility that we have been working on for many years,” he stated.

“It brings together our entire club under the one roof for the first time in our history.  We now have a home, in Sky Park, to be very proud of.

“Sky Park will also provide our club with the opportunity to expand our many grassroots programs to have an even greater positive and lasting impact on the community.

“I’d like to thank the New South Wales government for their support over the course of this project and their recognition of the significant positive impact our club is having across Sydney’s football community.”

Barlow was joined by NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, who on trend with other politicians at the moment, expressed the power that the Matildas have had in changing the perception of the beautiful game.

“Sydney FC are Australia’s most successful A-League club, with some of the world’s greatest players donning the Sky Blue jersey, including Italian great Alessandro Del Piero, former Socceroos Brett Emerton and John Aloisi, and current Matildas Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord,” he added via media release.

“The state-of-the-art Sky Park Centre of Excellence will provide a world-class high-performance training and community facility that will improve male and female academy and pathway development, and strengthen the club’s connection with their passionate fans.

“The NSW Government is committed to breaking down barriers in women’s sport, and Sky Park features dedicated female facilities that will produce more Matildas to do us proud on the world stage, just like the ones wearing the green and gold at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”

Not only is this a momentous day for Sydney FC, but also the wider community is also looking to benefit. The park is based out of Macquarie University, and this will be sure to lead to further collaboration opportunities between the club and the university.

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, spoke of the vibrancy that the new facility will bring to the community.

“It is Macquarie University’s pleasure to welcome Sydney FC’s Centre of Excellence to its campus,” he stated via press release.

“The first-class facilities, and the activity they will attract, will add to the vibrancy of our great campus, and create opportunities for meaningful collaborations between Sydney FC and the University.”

The new facility boasts among its club room facilities a player’s lounge, boot room, and community space. The park will also offer green space and sporting fields both for training and games.

The club will allow Sydney FC members all year access to the facility something sure to help the club connect with its passionate fan base and hopefully also help to inspire Australia’s next generation of elite footballers.

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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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