Tim Cahill Backs Nardo as Startup Secures $1 Million Investment Round

Mihaila Kilibarda05/06/2026 9:52 am05/06/2026

Image Credit: Ministry of Sport

Australian football icon Tim Cahill has joined sports technology platform Nardo as both an investor and strategic partner, helping the company close a $1 million pre-seed funding round aimed at accelerating international growth. The investment will support Nardo’s expansion into key markets including the United States, United Kingdom and Middle East.

Founded to simplify apparel and teamwear management for grassroots and semi-professional sporting organisations, Nardo’s platform streamlines the often-complex process of ordering, distributing and managing sportswear. The company believes its technology can reduce administrative burdens on clubs while improving efficiency across community sport.

Cahill’s involvement adds significant credibility to the venture. One of Australia’s most recognisable sporting figures, the former Socceroo has long advocated for the growth of grassroots football and community participation. His investment reflects growing confidence in sports technology solutions that address operational challenges faced by clubs and sporting organisations.

The announcement also highlights the increasing appetite for sports technology investment across Australia, with startups seeking to modernise everything from fan engagement and performance analysis to club administration and equipment management. For football in particular, where participation continues to grow nationwide, digital solutions aimed at supporting grassroots infrastructure are becoming an increasingly important part of the sport’s ecosystem.

As Nardo prepares for its next phase of expansion, Cahill’s backing provides both commercial support and industry expertise, positioning the company to pursue opportunities beyond the Australian market while maintaining a strong focus on serving community sport.

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South Melbourne signs New Balance teamwear deal after Australia Cup triumph

Lorcan Marelich19/10/2026 1:00 pm19/10/2026

South Melbourne FC has secured a two-season teamwear partnership with New Balance and Australian elite teamwear partner Belgravia Apparel, strengthening the club’s commercial portfolio as their Australian Championship title defence begins.

The agreement will see New Balance supply high-performance apparel for South Melbourne’s players and staff, both on and off the field, beginning with the club’s Australian Championship campaign.

The deal follows South Melbourne’s historic Australia Cup triumph and comes as the club looks to build on its increased national profile while pursuing another title.

South Melbourne head of operations George Kouroumalis said the partnership reflected the club’s ambitions and offered an opportunity to strengthen its identity beyond matchdays.

‘We are incredibly proud to partner with Belgravia Apparel for the next two seasons. Having New Balance, an elite brand with strong global presence associated with South Melbourne, reflects the ambition of our club and the opportunities ahead,’ said Kouroumalis.

Belgravia Apparel CEO Brian Waldron said the company was pleased to bring its football experience to the partnership, pointing to its relationships with clubs across Australia and New Zealand.

For South Melbourne, the deal puts a globally recognised sportswear brand behind the club at a time when its Australia Cup win has brought it greater national attention.

The agreement also connects South Melbourne to a broader teamwear network. Belgravia Apparel and New Balance began their strategic alliance in 2020, supplying performance apparel to sporting organisations across the region.

The club said its new home kit would be launched the following week, giving supporters their first look at the partnership in action.

Holman Barnes Group formalises Central Coast Mariners investment

Lorcan Marelich19/10/2026 12:35 pm19/10/2026

Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Central Coast Mariners have formalised a new ownership and operating structure with Holman Barnes Group (HBG), giving the club greater certainty across its men’s, women’s and academy programs.

Confirmed on 16 October, the agreements see HBG become a minority investor in the entity responsible for the Mariners’ A-League Men’s and academy operations, while also taking operational responsibility for the A-League Women’s team under a separate agreement.

The move builds on HBG’s earlier commitment to take over the women’s program, which faced an uncertain future following changes to the club’s ownership arrangements earlier this year.

HBG brings experience across sport, hospitality and community businesses, including its majority stake in NRL club Wests Tigers and its involvement with NPL club APIA Leichhardt.

Mariners chairman Ruben Gnanalingam welcomed the formalisation of the partnership.

“These guys are a smart, sport-focused, local organisation and who we believe will demonstrate have the nous and relationships to help maximise the chances of CCM having success on all fronts,” Gnanalingam said.

HBG CEO Daniel Paton said the group saw significant potential across the club’s programs.

“We’ve always believed in the power of sport to bring communities together and create opportunities, and we see enormous potential in what we can achieve together across the men’s, women’s and Academy programs,” Paton said.

The structure provides a distinctive model in Australian sport, with HBG holding interests across both an NRL licence and an A-League club’s operations.

The group is also developing the Mariners Club, a venue beside polytec Stadium, with proceeds intended to support the women’s team adding a potential community and hospitality revenue stream to its involvement.

The challenge now is to turn the new structure into sustainable investment, stronger player pathways and long-term stability across the Mariners’ programs.