Wollongong Wolves FC Announced Buonissimo Bakery Sponsorship

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Image Credit: Pedal to the Stock

Wollongong Wolves FC have announced local family-owned bakery, Buonissimo Bakery will become the club’s new front-of-shirt sponsor for both this year’s Australian Championship and next year’s NPL NSW season.

Buonissimo Bakery is the leading supplier of premium, artisan-style packaged cakes to major supermarkets across Australia and New Zealand, founded in 2016 by two brothers.

The bakery’s logo will be displayed on the front of the football club’s official playing kit during the Australian Championship and 2026 NPL season, beginning this weekend when the Wolves play against South Hobert in the first Australian Championship game.

Wollongong Wolves Chairman, Tory Lavalle, commented on how delighted the club is to welcome Buonissimo Bakery to the Wolves family as our Front-of-Shirt partner.

“Their commitment to quality, growth, and community values aligns perfectly with what our Club stands for as we embark on this exciting new chapter in Australian football,” he said via press release.

Buonissimo Bakery Director, Michael Digiaro welcomed the club as well.

“We’re proud to partner with the Wollongong Wolves — a club with such a rich history and strong community spirit,” he said via press release.

“As a family-owned Australian company, supporting a proud local club competing nationally is something we’re very passionate about.”

With only two days until the start of the Australian Championship, sweet-toothed fans of the Wollongong Wolves and Buonissimo Bakery have congratulated the duo for their new sponsorship deal.

Among the comments and emojis were people mentioning how good it is local businesses were supporting each other.

Buonissimo Bakery’s baked goods represent the traditional culinary roots of the owners with a twist which sets the bakery apart from others.

The bakery have won several awards, including the supplier of the year award by Coles in 2022, and from Woolworths for consecutive years between 2018 and 2019.

The press release mentioned to the bakery’s newly launched frozen pizza brand, Buonissimo Cucina which is available to purchase in Coles and Woolworths.

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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