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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: 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

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

**Player Development: A Call for Change** It is encouraging to see that someone within the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has finally acknowledged the need for change in player development. However, it is puzzling that the SFA has been critical of and refused to engage with individuals who have been advocating for the same changes for nearly a decade. In the past ten years, many people have been actively promoting and delivering small sided games and futsal. Despite our efforts, the SFA has only attended one of our sessions, leagues, or tournaments, and that was nine years ago. Despite this lack of support, several local players with a futsal background have been selected for the Scotland national team in recent years. These players include: - Alasdair Davidson - Erin Husband - Jessica Husband - Olivia Chomzcuk - Alfie Hutchison - Keir McMeekin - Allan Clark - Amelie Chomzcuk Additionally, other players from Joga Futsal and other organisations have also been selected for the national team. It is concerning that the SFA continues to overlook potential avenues for player development. Whether this is due to arrogance or ignorance, it is hindering the progress of Scottish football. We urge the SFA to reconsider its stance and engage with those who are actively working to improve player development in Scotland. By embracing new ideas and methods, the SFA can help to ensure that Scottish football remains competitive on the international stage.

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

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

Diverse Fans Project: Driving Accessibility and Inclusion in Football Charlton Athletic, proudly recognised as the EFL (English Football League) Community Club of the Year, are thrilled to have been selected to work in partnership with the EFL on the Diverse Fans Project, a ground-breaking initiative to enhance accessibility and inclusion across professional football. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the vibrant, multicultural community surrounding The Valley and matchday attendance, ensuring the diversity of south-east London is reflected in the stands. Vice-Chair Paul Elliott CBE MBE emphasised: "Football is a much more welcoming place than it was when I first began in the game. However, live matchday attendances are still rarely reflective of the demographic of a club’s local population. At Charlton, we believe football is for everyone and our message is clear – All Different, All Together, All Charlton." This year-long collaboration will provide vital insights into how football can become more accessible, fostering stronger community ties and inspiring positive, long-term change across the EFL. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ev_qQ-DT #FootballForAll #Inclusion #CommunityEngagement #CharltonAthletic #TheValley #DiverseFansProject #EFL

Yesterday I posted about Ipswich Town and my love for the team. Here’s the backstory. When I was growing up as a boy in New Zealand, no one knew who Ipswich was. It was all rugby and rugby league. Now if I go out in an Ipswich top, I get stopped all the time, often by some expats. Football's become a big high profile sport in New Zealand these days. And in the district that I live in, there's about 10 of us who are actually supporters. I've made two close friends through football. We’re all Ipswich supporters. So recently, we formed the Ipswich Supporters Club, Selwyn Branch, and became an official branch of the supporters club. We recently gathered together for the last game of the season and the group has now developed into the Aotearoa New Zealand Branch of the Ipswich Town Supporters Club and kiwis from across the country are slowly joining. Most of whom don't know each other. This has all been facilitated through Facebook groups. Once again, it shows how the internet can bring people together on common interests. Self organising communities. Social Media is not all bad! That’s the thing I love about sport, and about supporters clubs. They draw people together, from all around the world, and they create a sense of community. The positive that comes out of these interactions is so huge, and it all stems from having something in common, from connecting with people. I think that’s tremendously relevant in life, and in business.  What’s your connection? #flexiblelearning #netNZ #connectedlearning

📢 Renew Holdings plc x Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club 🏀 Very happy to announce this major new partnership Renew Holdings plc, a Leeds headquartered public company with over a billion-pound turnover, employing over 5,000 staff nationally across its various subsidiary businesses 🎯 A key target for Renew is to attract more women into their workforce and through the partnership with NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball and its connections to schools, higher education, community clubs and a large female fan base, it will help the company to reach a larger audience and showcase the opportunities for careers across the engineering sectors where it operates 💙💛 The partnership demonstrates Renew’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity as well as backing the club’s ambition to grow the game in the north at a grassroots level through the outreach work with its charity, Leeds Rhinos Foundation 🎽 The Renew logo will feature on the playing dress for the Netball Super League team and the Yorkshire and North East Pathway sides. Renew will also sponsor the team’s most capped England international and Commonwealth Gold winner Geva Mentor CBE https://lnkd.in/eTpaYNqB