Soccerscene’s Post

ICYMI: Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024: Following the respective successes of both the CommBank Matilda’s performance and Australia’s hosting abilities of the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed $200 million into the “Play Our Way” Grant Program. As the current biggest investment into Women’s sport across the nation, applications for the grant still remain open with the closing date on April 29, 2024. Working in conjunction with non-for-profit businesses, local government officials, and sport organizations nationwide, the overall aspiration of the program is to make sport for woman and girls 'more welcoming and equitable.'  The $200 million grant is available in funding over a three year period in which will be split into two streams: Participation and equipment: Funding will be placed into programs that inspire females of all ages to become involved within sporting and physical activity obligations. The employment of recruitment and commitment officers, coaches, officials and volunteers is crucial for the growth and sustainability of women’s sport. Further funding will be implemented into equipment to assist with the encouragement of women’s participation. There is nothing more off putting than using out dated, uninspired equipment hence the importance in which surrounds its necessary upgrade. Facilities: Much in the same vein as the previous entry, the establishment and improvement of facilities is another primary focus of the program. To encourage and inspire woman to be involved within sport, it is crucial that they are recipients of facilities in that are of a high-standard. The lack of adequacy within facilities can be a deterrent across all sporting codes for all of its participants, regardless of age, ability or gender. Clubs with all the relevant information are urged to apply for the grant in which can be completed upon the Football Australia website, as well as each state football website. The grant is assessed and determined by the Department of Health and Aged Care, in whom are transparent and impartial. Guidelines within the application process showcased a clubs eligibility, grant amount and time period, application process, and what the grant can be used upon. The game within Australia is on a trajectory, especially within the women’s cohort. The government backed program presents a monumental opportunity for current and emerging women’s football contingents across the state. The post Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024 appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024: Following the respective successes of both the CommBank Matilda’s performance and Australia’s hosting abilities of the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed $200 million into the “Play Our Way” Grant Program. As the current biggest investment into Women’s sport across the nation, applications for the grant still remain open with the closing date on April 29, 2024. Working in conjunction with non-for-profit businesses, local government officials, and sport organizations nationwide, the overall aspiration of the program is to make sport for woman and girls 'more welcoming and equitable.'  The $200 million grant is available in funding over a three year period in which will be split into two streams: Participation and equipment: Funding will be placed into programs that inspire females of all ages to become involved within sporting and physical activity obligations. The employment of recruitment and commitment officers, coaches, officials and volunteers is crucial for the growth and sustainability of women’s sport. Further funding will be implemented into equipment to assist with the encouragement of women’s participation. There is nothing more off putting than using out dated, uninspired equipment hence the importance in which surrounds its necessary upgrade. Facilities: Much in the same vein as the previous entry, the establishment and improvement of facilities is another primary focus of the program. To encourage and inspire woman to be involved within sport, it is crucial that they are recipients of facilities in that are of a high-standard. The lack of adequacy within facilities can be a deterrent across all sporting codes for all of its participants, regardless of age, ability or gender. Clubs with all the relevant information are urged to apply for the grant in which can be completed upon the Football Australia website, as well as each state football website. The grant is assessed and determined by the Department of Health and Aged Care, in whom are transparent and impartial. Guidelines within the application process showcased a clubs eligibility, grant amount and time period, application process, and what the grant can be used upon. The game within Australia is on a trajectory, especially within the women’s cohort. The government backed program presents a monumental opportunity for current and emerging women’s football contingents across the state. The post Play Our Way grant available until end of April in 2024 appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

Here’s a fantastic article from Fox Sports about our most recent Homeless World Cup campaign in Seoul. It’s great to see their interest and the effort they’ve put into producing such a comprehensive piece that reaches their followers and readers. This coverage is invaluable, not only for creating awareness about the The Big Issue Australia's Community Street Soccer Program and the Homeless World Cup but, more importantly, for shining a light on homelessness and disadvantage—and the power of football as a vehicle for #socialimpact. Here’s a personal reflection on the impact of the Homeless World Cup and the honour of representing Australia: “When you wear the green and gold, and you overcome the challenges they have, I think it gives them a huge boost and a level of resilience they can use for the rest of their lives.” I’ve always found that football fans and followers deeply connect with initiatives like ours. Through their love of the sport, they appreciate the connections and benefits it fosters, and, most importantly, they see football as a special global language they can relate to. This year, in particular, has brought outstanding media coverage, including Netflix’s Beautiful Game movie, 60 Minutes on Nine, and many other features driven by the efforts of the Big Issue's marketing team. The inspiring stories of the players at the Homeless World Cup have motivated many people to contribute locally as volunteers, while others have stepped up on corporate and philanthropic levels. Exciting times especially with expansion of the local program on the cards and the potential of hosting the Homeless World Cup again in Australia. Those who get involved often find the experience to be life-changing for themselves and their organizations, companies and employees. #football #CorporateSocialResponsibility #SportForDevelopment #sponsorship #Leadership #Speaker FIFA

MUST READ: All Abilities Gala to continue the increase in inclusivity: Melbourne Victory have partnered with Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to host the second edition of the All Abilities Gala on Saturday April 20 to shine a spotlight upon the importance of inclusivity within football. The inaugural event in 2023 occurred as the curtain raiser to Melbourne Victory’s ANZAC round fixture against Macarthur FC. The event held at Gosch’s paddock consisted of training clinics and engaging activities, concluding with a 5v5 round robin all abilities tournament. This year, the event has increased in capacity. Two sessions for different age ranges will commence. From 3:15pm to 3:45pm, children aged between 4 to 12 will have their session, with the older contingent aged from 13 to 18 to participate in their session from 4:00pm to 4:30pm. Upon declaring their involvement for the event, all participants are offered a free ticket to attend the round 25 A-League Men’s fixture, where Victory will host Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park. TAC have been one of Victory's key sponsors since their inception in 2005 with the partnership nearing its 20th anniversary that is scheduled for next year. Inclusivity within society has become a point of focus for sporting codes across the globe - none more so than football. Members of society who face the difficulties of having special needs should have an engaging outlet. This allows for those to have a joyful and fulfilling, outdoor experience. Amongst other codes of football, the globally renowned variation tends to be far simpler and palatable, especially in terms of building skills and understanding general rules. Therefore, parents and guardians of those who have a disability may lean towards electing soccer as the sport that their kids can participate in, aware of the unique subtlety and non-aggressiveness that surrounds it when in comparison to the likes of Australian Rules football or rugby. The community event hosted by Victory simultaneously contributes to the community across Melbourne, while also increasing participation and appreciation for the sport of football within a state where it remains down in the pecking order of preferred sports. The post All Abilities Gala to continue the increase in inclusivity appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

We have two sports funding streams available as part of our Torbay on the Move initiative for 2024/25. 🎾 ⚽🏏 To encourage participation in sport, we have relaunched a fund called Back to Sport 2. The fund focuses on engaging people who are less likely to use physical activity to improve their wellbeing. Awards of up to £2,500 are available for clubs, groups, and activity providers to run activities to increase participation. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eGiyfXrT 🤸🏾 🏋🏻♂️ 🏃🏾♂️ Believe to Achieve grants available for Torbay's elite and talented athletes. Believe to Achieve is a grant scheme aimed at supporting and encouraging talented athletes from across Torbay to keep pursuing their sporting goals and careers. Training costs, travel, equipment, and competition fees can soon mount up. We are providing grants to avoid these costs becoming financial hurdles that prevent athletes from achieving their full potential. Grants of up to £1,500 (depending on level of competition) are available for training, equipment, competition fees and expenses. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eR-Tmfxk We recognise that every sport is unique. Grants will be allocated based on the evidence provided in the application. First round application deadline ends 19 April 2024.

We URGENTLY need to reevaluate sports sponsorship schemes and policies - fresh out of the oven: The ETTU and Win2day partnership!! As leaders committed to social responsibility, it's crucial to highlight the European Table Tennis Union's decision to have Win2day—a major online/offline gambling giant—as a key sponsor for the 2024 European Table Tennis Championships. Gambling addiction, or ludopathy, is a pressing issue that affects more youth than we might realize. Some studies suggest that up to 8% of adolescents and 7% of adults show signs of problem gambling behaviors - an estimated 3% suffer from ludopathy specifically in Austria (the EU TT 24 host). With the rise of online gambling platforms like Win2day, accessibility has increased, putting more children at risk of developing addictive behaviors. By partnering with a gambling company, the ETTU may inadvertently expose young athletes and fans to the dangers of gambling addiction: financial distress, mental health challenges, and social disruption. This association sends a conflicting message about the values we aim to uphold in sports and youth development. We must encourage sports organizations to seek partnerships that align with principles of integrity, health, and community well-being. Let's advocate for responsible sponsorship choices that protect our youth and reinforce the standards of social responsibility we all strive to achieve. ———————————— #YouthProtection #ChildProtection #ResponsibleSponsorship #Ludopathy #SportsIntegrity #SocialImpact #UNSDGs

The struggle for adequate funding is a significant hurdle for many athletes on the path to the Olympics. Despite qualifying for "carding," a government funding program, many athletes still face challenges in covering their daily living expenses. An eye-opening article from Al Jazeera highlights the financial strain athletes endure, revealing that many of them must juggle additional jobs to make ends meet while training rigorously to represent their country. This financial burden can be overwhelming, detracting from their focus and performance. It's crucial for us to recognize and address these challenges. We need to advocate for better support systems and increased funding to ensure our athletes can compete at their highest potential without the constant worry of financial instability. Let's rally behind our athletes and push for the change they need to succeed. Read more about the financial challenges faced by athletes here: https://lnkd.in/eb5vk5B6 #AthleteFunding #SupportOurAthletes #OlympicDreams #SportsFunding #CANFund #DAC #DestinyAthleticsCanada #comingsoon

At the Heart of Our Mission—5 Key Insights on Community and Grassroots Sports At Affleck & Co, we believe that community and grassroots sports are more than just recreational activities—they’re catalysts for social change, inclusion, and sustainability. Our work focuses on empowering communities through place-based strategies that reflect their unique history, qualities, and goals. With that in mind, here are 5 key insights you need to know about community and grassroots sport: 📊 The annual social value of community sport and physical activity is £107.2bn. 💡 Sport participation prevents serious physical and mental health conditions, valued at approximately £9.5bn. 💷 For every £1 invested in sport for development, £6 is returned in social value—compared to £4 for traditional sports sponsorship. ⚽ Grassroots football contributes £10.769bn to the UK economy, saving the NHS over £43m annually through reduced GP visits. 📈 Grassroots football clubs have reported a 69% increase in participation levels. These figures demonstrate the transformative power of grassroots sport, which is at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s creating inclusive opportunities or cross-sectors collaborations, especially between brands and communities, we are committed to using sport as a force for good. We believe the key to lasting change lies in connection—bringing together diverse voices, perspectives, and resources to amplify impact🤝 #GrassrootsSports #SocialImpact #PurposeDriven #CommunityDevelopment #WomenInSport #Sport #Strategy

With the ever increasing focus on the social and community value of events and festivals, it’s interesting to see how comparable industries measure and report on these impacts. Scottish Rugby‘s Social Return on Investment report on grassroots rugby gives a clear £ value against Social and Health & Wellbeing (as well as economic impart).  A clear headline value figure and ROI that makes for an impactful announcement.  Off to look at the full report to see what evaluation methodologies and practices are transferable into the evaluation and reporting of events and festivals. https://lnkd.in/eMt945-a

🏉 Research into rugby union’s social value has revealed an incredible £2.03 billion contribution during the 2023/24 season. Commissioned by England Rugby and conducted by Think Beyond and Substance, the report was designed to measure rugby union’s holistic impact on society—and it shows profound social, economic and health benefits across the country: Key Findings: 🔹 £707M in improved physical and mental health. 🔹 £823.5M in social and community value. 🔹 £502M in economic growth through jobs, infrastructure investment, and more. The study also highlights rugby’s high social value in some of the country's least affluent areas, positively impacting communities and lives across England. It’s been great collaborating with Tim Crabbe, Gavin Mellor and Luke Bullock from Substance, along with Tom Pennington and the rest of the RFU team. Huge thanks to our project team Ed Hubbard, Lois Peake and Thomas Wells for developing this first-of-its-kind report. To learn more about developing a social value report, reach out to our Senior Director, Strategy and Impact, Ed Hubbard at Ed.Hubbard@thinkbeyond.consulting.