The Reagan Milstein Foundation: Giving every child a chance to play football

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Reagan Milstein Foundation
Images credit: Football Victoria

At Football Victoria’s Community in Business Kick-off Breakfast, Jackie Sher from the Regan Milstein Foundation addressed the audience about the initiatives being put in place to highlight the true meaning of what they do.

The Reagan Milstein Foundation was established in honour of Reagan Milstein, a 14-year-old boy who loved sports and loved to help people. Unfortunately he was a victim of a freak diving accident in 2010.

The foundation was established to make sure every child is able to play and regardless of their personal circumstances, while also hoping that it will keep Reagan’s memory alive in the community and ensure his wish to make a difference in the lives of others.

Jackie spoke about the foundation and mentioned the impact of Kevin Milstein on the progress of the foundation.

“He’s dedicated his life to the foundation. he’s truly passionate about the wonderful game of football and what it means, especially for children,” she said.

“To date this year alone, we’ve sent football gear to 16 countries across the globe. From within Australia, across the Pacific and beyond to Africa and the Middle East.”

The Foundation has received gear from over 44 clubs and organisations across the globe and features Liverpool FC as an official charity partner in Australia. A collection bin was set up at the breakfast for anyone with any type of football gear to drop off, which in turn will get distributed to communities in need.

Jackie also highlighted the association with Football Victoria and the overriding goals for the foundation in the near future.

“Our aim is to ensure that no child is prevented from playing the game due to lack of equipment or lack of funds for club fees or transport and whatever. We hope that with the ongoing support of Football Victoria and you all here today we will be ever closer to achieving that goal,” she stated.

Every charity needs the support of communities and with a vast range of them associated and connected through the love for the global game foundations such has the Reagan Milstein Foundation, it plays an important part in development and nurturing of grassroots football.

To learn more about the RMF Foundation and Reagan Milstein, visit: https://www.rmf.world/

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FQ Reinstates WinterFest 2026 at the Sunshine Coast

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Image Credit: Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed WinterFest, the state’s premier junior football carnival, will return to the Sunshine Coast from 1 to 5 July 2026; this time at a new home in the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, the five-day carnival will span USC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC, hosting Under 9 to Under 11 Boys and Under 11 Girls teams from every corner of the state.

WinterFest is not simply a competition. Within FQ’s development framework, the carnival serves a dual function, to expose elite junior players to FQ Technical staff, whilst providing emerging referees with live matchday experience under the guidance of senior officials.

“The carnival plays an important role in nurturing not only our most promising young players, who can showcase their abilities in front of FQ Technical staff who continue to monitor their ongoing development, but also our cohort of emerging referees from across Queensland,” said Ryan Fett, FQ General Manager- Football, Infrastructure & Club Development.

The shift to USC is deliberate. FQ has signalled an intention to elevate the event experience year-on-year, and a university campus venue, with its infrastructure and capacity, reflects that ambition more than a traditional football ground would.

Beyond the Pitch

The tournament’s footprint, however, extends well beyond the pitch. With thousands of visiting families descending on the region across five days, WinterFest functions as a significant economic activation for the Sunshine Coast during what is otherwise a quieter winter period.

“WinterFest brings enormous energy to the region, the USC and Buderim fields will be buzzing and the talent on show outstanding,” said Sunshine Coast Resilient Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg.

The language- “Resilient Economy”- is worth noting. Landsberg’s portfolio title alone signals how local government now frames junior sport: not as community goodwill, but as economic infrastructure.

His reference to Brisbane 2032 made that explicit. “As we move closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these experiences are invaluable for aspiring athletes and equally important for boosting local tourism and supporting our businesses during the winter period.”

Whether a regional Under 11 carnival genuinely feeds an Olympic pipeline is debatable. What isn’t is that the political incentive to frame it that way, with 2032 drawing every level of government into the orbit of sport, is very real.

Football NSW partners with Deploy for Association Championships

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Image credit: Deploy Football

In an announcement released on Thursday this week, Football NSW revealed Deploy as the Naming Rights Partner of the Football NSW Association Championships.

New competition, new talents

The Association Championships, set to take place in July 2026 at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, will replace the former Association Youth League.

Although the tournament has changed name, its purpose remains consistent: giving youth players the platform to showcase their talent on the football pitch.

In a display of unity and collective ambition, 18 Associations across New South Wales will enter representative teams, each one featuring gifted grassroots players looking to prove themselves against their peers.

“The Deploy FNSW Association Championships will provide a fantastic platform for our Associations to come together and celebrate the best of elite community football,” said Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas via official press release.

“This tournament is all about giving young players, coaches, and referees from every corner of the state a chance to shine and develop in a competitive, supportive environment.”

The partnership between Deploy and Football NSW, therefore, is not merely about a name alteration. It is a collaboration which presents future grassroots talents with a platform and opportunity to compete.

 

Built on shared values

No partnership can succeed without both parties sharing a common goal or set of values. In this case, the alliance between Football NSW and Deploy is built on a commitment to supporting grassroots football and supplying players with quality resources and experiences to showcase their talent.

“Deploy is proud to partner with Football NSW as the Naming Rights Partner of the Association Championships. Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and building future leaders, both on and off the field,” explained Chief Commercial Officer at Deploy, Kurt Johnson.

“As long-time partners with Football NSW, this aligns perfectly with our strategy of creating balls designed for each age and skill level of the game, ranging from junior training balls to professional match balls perfect for the competitive environment like the Association Championships.”

Furthermore, with hundreds of participants including players, referees, coaches and supporters due to attend the tournament, the partnership’s impact will extend right across the state of New South Wales.

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