Zaparas Lawyers Named Grandstand Sponsor for Oakleigh Cannons’ Jack Edwards Reserve

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Image credit: One Nil Media

The Oakleigh Cannons are proud to announce Zaparas Personal Injury Lawyers as the official grandstand sponsor of Jack Edwards Reserve for the next five years. This partnership strengthens the connection between a respected local business and one of Melbourne’s most community focused football clubs.

The 14.7 million-dollar redevelopment of Jack Edwards Reserve delivers a modern pavilion and grandstand, including dedicated change rooms for women and girls, creating a central hub for football in Oakleigh and surrounding suburbs. The facility supports NPL Victoria matches, training sessions, and community events, giving local families access to world class sporting facilities.

“As a family run firm based in Oakleigh, supporting local sport is incredibly important to us,” said Yianni Zaparas, Managing Partner of Zaparas Lawyers. “The Oakleigh Cannons represent the best of our community, hard work, dedication, and teamwork. We’re proud to support the grandstand redevelopment and invest in the players and families who make grassroots football thrive.”

With over 40 years of experience in personal injury law, Zaparas Lawyers combines legal expertise with a compassionate approach, operating on a No Win No Fee foundation. Their family focused philosophy aligns naturally with grassroots sport, helping young athletes, families, and the broader community flourish.

Zaparas Lawyers are proudly announced as the new Oakleigh Cannons Grandstand Sponsor. Pictured from left to right: Club President Stan Papayianneris, General Manager Aki Ionnas, Yianni Zaparas and Chairman Kon Kavalakis.

Placing their name on the grandstand reflects Zaparas Lawyers’ commitment to the Oakleigh community, demonstrating how local businesses can make a meaningful impact. Beyond sponsorship, it is about supporting growth, wellbeing, and opportunity both on the pitch and in everyday life.

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Northern NSW Football opens registrations for Female Football Week 2026

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Image Credit: Football Australia

Northern NSW Football has opened registrations for Female Football Week 2026, inviting clubs, players, coaches, referees and administrators across the region to take part in a national celebration of women’s football running from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 17.

Now in its latest edition, Female Football Week provides a structured opportunity for the football community to acknowledge the contributions of women and girls to the game at every level, from grassroots volunteers to elite competitors. The week sits within a broader national context of record participation growth in women’s football following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with northern NSW among the regions experiencing some of the most significant increases in female registrations over recent seasons.

The first 40 clubs to register will receive a club activation pack. Registered clubs will also receive promotional support through the NNSWF website and access to Female Football Week advertising collateral, with activities ranging from panel discussions and workshops to social media campaigns highlighting female participants within their communities.

Award nominations are also open across six categories, Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Champion of the Year and Club of the Year, recognising individuals and clubs making significant contributions to women and girls’ football in northern NSW over the past twelve months.

“Female Football Week is a fantastic chance to highlight the passion and talent of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” said NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter. “There’s something for everyone with activities and events catering to all levels, from grassroots through to elite competition.”

Stop Complaining, Start Building: Why Proactive Clubs Always Win

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Image Credit: Connelly Project Resources

It’s a tale as old as time in grassroots sport: your club is stuck in a “time warp” facility, sharing a severely overused pitch with another code, while a club a few suburbs over just scored millions of dollars in council funding.

It is incredibly frustrating. The disparity in local government funding, the draconian facility-sharing arrangements, and the feeling that your sport is constantly fighting an uphill battle in certain heartlands can make committee members want to throw their hands in the air.

But when faced with this reality, your club has a choice. You can go on a rampage of advocacy – bitching, moaning, and focusing on everything the council or state sporting body isn’t doing – or, you can focus on what you can control.

The Post-COVID Divide

Think back to the clubs that emerged from the COVID-19 lockdowns. During that time, every club faced the exact same external restriction: nobody could play.

However, two distinct types of clubs emerged.

The first type went dark. They complained about the government, complained about the lack of support from their Peak Bodies, and disconnected from their members. They took years to recover.

The second type of club stayed connected. They acknowledged the reality but focused entirely on what they could do. They posted backyard drills on TikTok, sent training plans to parents, and kept their community engaged. As soon as restrictions lifted, they were on the front foot, miles ahead of the competition. Same environment, entirely different mindset.

The Circle of Control

In business and in sport, there is a circle of concern (things you care about but can’t change) and a much smaller circle of control (your own thoughts, behaviours, and operations).

If you have signed a 10-year lease on a substandard facility, that is your playing field. You aren’t going to change it tomorrow. So, how can you win given the rules you have?

·  Run a tight ship financially.

·  Pay your rent on time.

·  Communicate brilliantly with your members.

·  Streamline your governance.

Government likes to back a winner. If you spend your time spinning up the flywheels of good marketing, membership growth, and volunteer connection, you build a small business that clearly has its act together. When it comes time to advocate for better facilities, you aren’t just a complaining club—you are a highly successful, proactive community asset that councils will want to support.

Is your club stuck in a cycle of complaining? It’s time to take control of what you can. Contact CPR Group today to find out how our clubMENTOR program and strategic planning services can put your club on the front foot.

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