Western United extends global reach with Walking Football

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Image credit: Western United website

Western United has collaborated with Walking Football 4 Health Global and Balestier Khalsa Football Club in Singapore, aiming to spread the love of football across the globe.

This marks Western United’s first venture into the realm of walking football, a rapidly growing sector of the sport that is inclusive of all participants.

As part of this partnership, Western United will participate in a tournament at the Walking Football 4 Health Global headquarters in Singapore, furthering the Club’s commitment to making football accessible to everyone around the world.

Western United General Manager of Community Development & Partnerships Aylin Bagdadi explained how beneficial this deal will be with connecting the club’s brand to an international audience.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to grow the Western United brand and we are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of Walking Football 4 Health and Balestier Khalsa Football Club,” Bagdadi said in a club statement.

“More importantly, a key part of our mission at this Club has always been to increase opportunities for everyone to become involved in football, and this is a fantastic step in continuing to pursue that vision.

“Walking football is such a great way to get involved in our great game, and we are excited to link further with local and global organisations in this space.”

What is Walking Football?

Walking football is particularly well-suited for individuals recovering from illness or medical events, retired players, or those new to the sport.

This low-intensity format features small-sided teams playing on a modified pitch with shorter game times, blending all the enjoyable aspects of football without the high physical demands.

Running, physical contact, and heading the ball are prohibited, and the ball must remain below hip-height throughout the game.

After the recent Teqball partnership, this unique collaboration is an example of Western United remaining committed to promoting awareness and participation in all forms of football worldwide.

It also highlights Western United’s business strategy before the new season, where the club seems dedicated to broadening its own brand and reach both locally and internationally.

This deal will look to expand opportunities to get involved in football within the local community in the west of Victoria.

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Football NSW to Build on 2024 Participation Record in 2025

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Image credit: Football NSW

Football NSW are aiming to develop on the extraordinary numbers of the 2024 season that saw more than 260,000 players take to the pitch. The announcement comes as part of the national Play Football campaign.

With NSW being one of Australia’s largest participation states for football, the federation’s push for more numbers is a welcome target for football in the country.

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas spoke with enthusiasm about the sport’s trajectory, highlighting its inclusive nature.

“Football continues to be the sport of choice for the NSW and Australian community, providing a positive environment for participants of all ages and abilities,” Tsatsimas mentioned via Football NSW official press release.

“We have had unprecedented growth in players, coaches, referees and volunteers, with exponential growth in the female game.”

The statistics paint a promising picture of the sport’s expansion, with 2024 registering a 9% increase in player numbers from the earlier season. This translates to over 20,000 new participants.

Perhaps most significantly with the effect of the Women’s FIFA World Cup of 2023, female participation surged by 17%, with more than 9,000 women and girls joining the sport, accounting for nearly half of the total growth.

Maintaining and increasing Women and girls’ levels in the sport are crucial points for development of the Australian game and will be key for the continued rise in participation numbers.

The organisation is now actively encouraging early registration for the 2025 season to ensure players can secure spots with their preferred local clubs, with help from the updated Play Football website.

Beyond player participation, Football NSW is expanding its focus on supporting roles within the sport. The 2024 season witnessed record numbers in coaching, refereeing, and volunteering positions, all crucial components of the game’s ecosystem.

The need for more people joining non-player roles through all levels of the game in NSW is evident with John Tsatsimas pointing out himself the necessity for the 2025 Season.

“There’s a place for everyone in our sport, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning participants for the 2025 season,” Tsatsimas explained via Football NSW official press release.

For those interested in contributing to the sport beyond playing, Football NSW has established comprehensive pathways.

The Football NSW Coach Hub provides resources and guidance for aspiring coaches looking to shape the next generation of footballers.

Additionally, the Referee Hub offers opportunities for individuals to engage with the sport from a different perspective while maintaining an active lifestyle.

With football’s exciting growth continuing in Australia with the expansion and promising viewership numbers of the 2024-25 professional A-leagues, it is always important for the sport that the participation numbers of state leagues and amateur local clubs follow the trend.

Register now for 2025 by clicking here.

Auckland FC welcomes Alvarium as Premium Partner

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Image Credit: Auckland FC Website

Auckland FC has embraced New Zealand based wealth management firm Alvarium as a premium partner to the club.

As a part of the collaboration, Alvarium logos and advertisement material will be featured on Auckland FC’s game day shirt sleeve.

This provides Alvarium with exclusive and highly prized visible branding, enabling the club to be seen more easily by a wealth of A-League fans.

Chief Executive Officer of Alvarium, Malcolm McKinnon, outlined his organisation’s enthusiasm for the partnership.

“Our team is always looking for opportunities to support commendable partners who combine high performance with great community engagement. We believe we have found that in abundance with Auckland FC,” McKinnon said in a press release.

Chief Executive Officer of Auckland FC, Nick Becker highlighted the shared aims of both organisations.

“Like Alvarium, we at Auckland FC are focused on bringing together the right mix of ideas and opportunities to achieve the best possible outcomes,” he said via press release.

Auckland FC expresses the deal with Alvarium is reflective of the club’s commitment to “With Everyone, For Everyone”, as the firm has a history of supporting the community. The organisation was a founding advocate of The King’s Trust, which helps enable young people for the future ahead of them.

Additionally, the firm is a key partner of SailGP, a team that seeks to protect ocean welfare and advance environmental concerns across New Zealand and on the global stage.

Furthermore, Alvarium is also a team supporter of the New Zealand Paralympics team, demonstrating the company’s commitment to social change in sport to help positively boost community awareness of diversity and disability.

As a company, Alvarium is excited to join forces with Auckland FC to bolster the firm’s brand to a local audience across New Zealand through a new and lively club with a passionate fanbase, whilst expanding the company’s advertising to an Australian market.

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