Western Sydney Wanderers lock in foundation development committee

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Western Sydney Wanderers
Image credit: IOIO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

Western Sydney Wanderers FC have confirmed their inaugural Wanderers Foundation Development Committee.

The Western Sydney Wanderers FC’s charitable arm, the Wanderers Foundation, has established the Development Committee to support the expansion and public awareness of the club’s efforts in the Western Sydney neighbourhood.

The Wanderers Foundation was created in 2020 as a way for the team to contribute to causes that will benefit the local community, such as youth development, healthy active lifestyles, female football, multicultural engagement, supporting indigenous communities, and advocating for people of all abilities.

The Development Committee, which has members with experience in finance, insurance, and business, is tasked with upholding the governance standards of the Foundation and Australian Sports Foundation, contributing to the development of the program’s strategy and expanding upon the donor base already in place.

The committee members are:

  • David Harding: Executive Director of Business NSW
  • Lisa Vasic: Managing Director of Transaction Banking at ANZ Banking Group
  • David Borger: Executive Director of Business Western Sydney
  • Andy Cornish: Co-Founder of Larapinta Connect
  • Leigh Birtles: LGT Crestone Senior Partner

The group set to lead the committee are a suitable choice by the Western Sydney Wanderers as they cover a variety of different areas which are important in giving back to the community, as well as each individual having great experience in their position. The Wanderers are setting the foundation to be as successful as possible.

Western Sydney Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer praised the appointments of the Wanderers first Foundation Development Committee.

“It is incredible to have the support of such industry leaders on the Wanderers Foundation’s very first Development Committee,” Lederer said via press release.

“Each Committee member is of high calibre and brings a range of experience with them to help guide the future of the club’s charitable arm, we thank them for their eagerness and openness in being part of our ongoing work in the Western Sydney community.”

The Wanderers new committee will look to make an instant impact and benefit the community as much as possible.

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IMG takes commercial lead on inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup

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Image Credit: Vietnam Football Federation

IMG has been appointed to lead the global commercialisation of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, giving the new Southeast Asian national-team competition an established international sports business partner ahead of its first edition.

Under the strategic partnership, IMG will manage worldwide media and sponsorship rights sales while also overseeing broadcast production for the tournament, which takes place from 24 September to 5 October across Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.

The inaugural competition will feature 14 national teams, including all 11 ASEAN members alongside guest nations, with matches split between two divisions. Division 2 fixtures will be played in Jakarta and Badung, while Division 2 matches will be played in Hong Kong.

The agency’s role will include selling sponsorship and media inventory internationally while helping establish the broadcast infrastructure required to present the tournament to audiences outside Southeast Asia.

The partnership builds on IMG’s existing strategic relationship with PT Garuda Sepak Bola Indonesia, which has been working with the Football Association of Indonesia since 2025 on areas including commercial strategy, media rights, production and digital development.

For FIFA, the tournament creates another international football property in a region with a large and increasingly connected football audience.

For IMG, it adds another major regional property to a football portfolio that already includes competitions and organisations across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

The immediate challenge will be turning the inaugural tournament into a sustainable commercial property capable of attracting broadcasters and sponsors beyond its first edition.

If successful, the FIFA ASEAN Cup could provide Southeast Asian national teams with a recurring commercial platform while giving IMG another foothold in one of football’s developing markets.

GIS Sydney continues to connect students with Australia’s sports industry

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Image Credits: Global Institute of Sport

Following the launch of its Sydney campus in 2025, the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is continuing to establish itself in the nation’s sports industry. A leading provider of degrees and executive education in sport, GIS provides students the chance to study at two of Australia’s biggest sporting venues: Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Programs such as Sports Analytics and International Sports Business are delivered in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, and feature the chance for students to gain exclusive access to the sports industry.

More than 50 guest speakers have shared their experience with students studying at GIS Sydney, representing organisations like FIFA, Red Bull, Cricket Australia, and the AFL. While learning about the regional and national sports industry in the classroom, students have also had the chance to gain an international perspective through GIS’ signature Global Sports Summits, which have given Sydney students access to iconic sporting venues around the world from London to Miami.

Outside of the iconic venues students can call their classrooms, the organisation prioritises the real, industry placements needed to put theory into practice by providing each student with 140 hours of relevant work experience throughout their studies. Included in this are several sporting organisations who are keen to welcome GIS students on board, including the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), Football Coaches Australia, and Basketball NSW.

GIS also has a partnership with popular network and app Yakka Sport to connect students with paid employment opportunities while they study.

Behind these advancements at the GIS Sydney campus is an Industry Advisory Board which features a host of experienced figures from the world of sport. Included in the Asia-Pacific branch is Chair James Rosengarten, GM of the Melbourne Renegades; Kevin Jang, Managing Director of CAA Stellar Korea; and Brad Lloyd, GM of the Carlton Football Club.

Since launching, GIS’ Sydney campus has ultimately combined its locations and industry connections to provide the next generation of sports professionals with the knowledge, network, and confidence to tackle the rapidly evolving sports industry.

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