Virtual Bundesliga partners with major esports company

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The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga has partnered with ESL, the world’s largest esport company to operate the media production for the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL).

The partnership starts with immediate effect and sees ESL obtain the media rights for the VBL.

ESL will produce the coverage for VBL Club Championship matches. The coverage will be livestreamed on VBL social media channels – and includes a virtual studio, and a presenter.

The VBL is an esports competition which started in 2012 and sees Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams compete against each other. The Bundesliga was the first professional football league to launch an official esports football competition.

The DFL said it wants to “meet the growing interest in eSport even more comprehensively”. ESL has  been given the chance to license the media rights to other distribution partners, while the 26 clubs competing in the VBL will also be able to broadcast their matches via their own channels.

“The Virtual Bundesliga is already the most authentic representation of a football league in EA Sports FIFA. We want to continue establishing it as a digital competition,” EVP Digital Innovations at the DFL, Andreas Heyden said.

“To that end, we have secured a partner in ESL that has already proven its ability to successfully grow eSport competitions and communities worldwide – including in the area of football simulations. We would like to make the VBL even more alive and exciting, and ESL has the necessary experience and passion to do just that.”

The DFL believes that this partnership will develop and professionalise the Virtual Bundesliga.

“eFootball has been an integral part of the Esport community and of ESL for many years now,” Co-CEO of ESL, Ralf Reichert said.

“Together with the DFL, the most important sports league in Germany, we want to develop the VBL further to make it a renowned sports league and take it to the next level. That way, we can authentically transfer the emotions and values of football to the digital world and make the Virtual Bundesliga accessible to all, whether as a fan or an athlete.”

The 2020-21 season of the VBL Club Championship starts on November 10.

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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