Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia to release vouchers to promote sport and recreation

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Image Credit: Victoria State Government

The three southern states of east Australia to release vouchers encouraging Australians to participate in physical activities.

Victoria -Get Active Kids Program

The Victorian states offer up to $200 vouchers per child to families. This grant aims to coverup front costs of memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment across a wide range of sporting codes and recreation activities, soccer being in the list.

To be an eligible candidate for the voucher the child must be 18 or under and named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and named on a Medicare Card. A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

The voucher are available from now until the 26th of April 2026.

Tasmania -Ticket to play 

Tasmania recently launched its Ticket to play program. This voucher offers up to $100, it covers sports’ club membership fees. They can be used at two different activity providers, or both can be used at one activity provider.

Only children aged from 5 to 18 will be able to apply for this voucher. They must be listed on a Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession card or have received Family Tax Benefit A in the previous or current financial year.

However, exceptions occur for children in approved out of home care or temporary or provisional visa holders. Undocumented migrants or international students can also apply.

After the 29th of May 2026, vouchers won’t be available for purchase. However, Tasmanians are able to use their vouchers up until the 5th of June 2026.

Southern Australia -Sports Vouchers Plus 

The southern state also provides its residents with vouchers dedicate to supporting more physical activity among the youth. Children attending primary school from year 6 to year 9 can apply for two vouchers of $100. The provider might request for the 11-digit Medicare number or Australian visa number of the child.

These vouchers can be used to get discounts on sports or dance membership/registration fees. It also covers the cost of swimming lessons programs and music lessons.

Southern Australians are free to use their Vouchers for the whole year of 2026.

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Inaugural 2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup begins

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Image credit: Brisbane Roar FC

On 25 June, senior players from across Europe will take part in the first UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup at UEFA HQ in Lyon, Switzerland.

 

It’s everyone’s game

When thinking about football, fans tend to imagine the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action of the professional game. That is where excitement and drama is, usually, at its highest.

But growing within the wider football landscape is a version of the game which, rather than focusing on speed, instead champions enjoyment, health and participation for senior participants.

Walking football is proof that football truly belongs to everyone. UEFA’s commitment to staging the inaugral tournament on 25 June reflects the organisation’s understanding that a love for the beautiful game stays despite age, injury, or mobility issues.

Alongside the 2026 UEFA Walking Football Euro Cup is the release of the UEFA Walking Football Toolkit. This aims to provide more information about the game, benefitting associations, leagues and clubs and encompasses contributions from national associations of England, the Faroe Islands, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Poland and Sweden.

 

A brief history of walking football – and its importance

From its beginnings in the UK in 2011, walking football has since expanded across Europe and the world to give senior players a chance to be socially and physically active – all within a safe, minimal-impact environment.

And the game – despite its more steady nature – is gathering real pace here in Australia.

In October 2021, Football Australia introduced the first ever Seniors Football Week. Also, just last month, Brisbane Roar hosted the 2026 IWFF Walking Football World Championships at Perry Park – the first time the tournament has taken place in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

The implication, therefore, is that walking football will continue to grow and welcome more members of the community with a desire to dust off their old boots and join a team.

From youth teams to walking football, everyone in the pyramid shares the same love for the game. And there is no reason why, when speaking about the cohesive football development, that walking football shouldn’t be included in future planning and strategic visions.

Central Coast Mariners welcome TSG as new owners

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Image credit: Central Coast Mariners

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) revealed yesterday the start of a new era for the Central Coast Mariners under the leadership of Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG).

 

New beginnings

The news of TSG being at the helm of the next chapter in the Mariners’ history marks an important new era for the club, just a few months on from entering into liquidation. The APL subsequently took over management of the club on a temporary basis while seeking the right buyer.

TSG enter into the frame with a wealth of experience in football club investments, from London to Los Angeles. The privately-owned business is a majority shareholder of Queens Park Rangers (EFL Championship) in addition to holding a stake in MLS outfit, Los Angeles FC.

Under the leadership of majority shareholder, Ruben Gnanalingam, the Mariners will be hoping for a season which moves beyond recent worrying times.

“We appreciate how turbulent and uncertain the last season has been for the Club and we intend to do our utmost to restore energy and enthusiasm for this special football club,” Gnanalingam outlined via media release.

“We were drawn to the Mariners because of its strong community spirit, a characteristic that mirrors other sporting organisations that we have the great privilege of being a part of around the world,”

APL CEO Steve Rosich further addressed the importance of community connection for the club’s future.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the club’s dedicated fans, partners and staff and players, who have once again shown their loyalty and dedication to the Mariners.”

 

Mariners’ Women’s team remains in limbo

However, while TSG’s acquisition includes the men’s A-League team and club Academy teams, the A-League Women’s team does not feature in the deal.

As a result, the APL is continuing its search for investors to secure the future of the women’s team – who were victorious last year against Melbourne Victory in their first Grand Final appearance.

“Through the extensive due diligence process it became clear that the operation of the women’s team was not able to be included within the new operation with TSG,” Rosich continued.

“Seperately, we’ve begun working with parties to seek specific investment in the women’s team – and we’re working to ideally arrive at an outcome on this on or before 31 July to enable the team to operate in the 2026/27 season.”

 

Final thoughts

Fans, players and staff throughout the club will be hoping TSG is the leader they deserve in a new era for the A-League Men’s team and Academy teams.

Yet for the A-League Women’s team, uncertainty will persist throughout the coming weeks. It is vital, of course, that not just any investor comes in, but the right one to join TSG in supporting the club in its short and long-term future.

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