Latest news with #HeatherGarriock
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Unite Round concept ditched following end of contract between APL and NSW government
The A-League's Unite Round concept has been scrapped for the 2025-26 season. It's understood that the Australian Professional Leagues' contract with the NSW government for Unite Round has not been renewed. The deal, which was worth $12m, initially was for Sydney to have hosting rights to the A-League men's and women's grand finals for three years. However, outrage over that decision led to a change after just one season of both grand finals being played in Sydney. The deal was revamped for its remaining two years, with NSW instead being awarded rights to the newly conceived Unite Round, a concept similar to the NRL's Magic Round and the AFL's Gather Round An entire round of men's and women's A-League matches were played in Sydney, with the venues used across the two stagings of Unite Round being Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, Leichhardt Oval and Jubilee Stadium. However, when the draw for the new A-League's men's and women's seasons is released in the coming weeks, it won't include Unite Round. The men's season – which will kick off on October 17 following Football Australia's confirmation of the 2025-26 domestic match calendar on Friday – will again consist of 29 rounds, with each team to play 26 regular season games. The six-team finals series will run under the same format; however, the grand final has been scheduled for the weekend of May 23-24 – a week earlier than last season – due to players needing to be released from clubs for FIFA World Cup duty the following month. Venues for some matches still need to confirmed due to issues with staging games at Allianz Stadium and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The A-League women's season will start October 31, with the grand final to be played on the weekend of May 16-17. FA is yet to confirm a date for this year's Australia Cup final, while the newly formed Australian Championship, a second-tier competition involving 16 NPL clubs from around the country, will start on October 10 and end with the final on the weekend of December 7-8. 'The introduction of the Australian Championship will deliver more football, better football, and create new national opportunities for clubs and players – enhancing the football experience for all,' FA interim chief executive officer Heather Garriock said. 'The 2025-26 domestic match calendar is a product of genuine collaboration across the football ecosystem – from the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and APL to our member federations and NPL clubs – and reflects our shared commitment to unity, alignment and excellence.'
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Report reveals accuracy of A-League match officials improved during 2024-25 season
Referees boss Jon Moss has hailed the 'professionalism' of A-League match officials following an improvement in decision-making accuracy during the 2024-25 season. Football Australia's end-of-season refereeing and video assistant referee report revealed that a 'benchmark' 98.8 per cent of VAR decisions were correct. The report showed that VAR reviews had reduced to 48 – 44 fewer than the pre-season – across 1556 on-field decisions, and there was an intervention rate of just 4 per cent. 'We're seeing tangible year-on-year improvement, not just in accuracy, but in game management and the integration of new talent into the elite level,' Moss said. 'The data tells a clear story – fewer cards, fewer incorrect calls, and more consistency. 'This is a credit to the professionalism of our referees and their willingness to adapt to the tactical shifts occurring in the A-League.' Yellow cards per game dropped by 12.8 per cent from the previous season, while the total number of red cards fell by 56.8 per cent and second yellow-card dismissals were down by 13 per cent. FA interim chief executive officer Heather Garriock said the data 'demonstrates the progress we're making in delivering officiating that is both accurate and aligned with the modern game'. 'To see improved decision-making across the board, combined with fewer cards and a low VAR intervention rate, speaks volumes about the quality and consistency of our match officials,' Garriock said.
The Australian
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Australian
CommBank to sponsor Socceroos as well as Matildas
Football Australia has confirmed that CommBank will become the FIFA World Cup-bound Socceroos' new naming rights sponsor as part of the financial institution's growing investment in the sport. Already the main backer of the Matildas, CommBank will take over from Subway as the Socceroos' major sponsor in September. It's part of a new six-year deal, reportedly worth between $10m and $15m each year, that will result in the bank becoming FA's major sponsor at all levels. The FIFA World Cup-bound Socceroos have secured a new naming rights sponsor. Picture:'We are beyond delighted to take this next step in our relationship with CommBank and continue with our joint purpose of creating a game that is accessible to and loved by all Australians,' FA's interim chief executive officer Heather Garriock said. 'CommBank have been incredible partners since 2021. In the four years since, we have together taken the women's and para games from strength to strength, and we cannot wait to extend this success into other programs.' The sponsorship will also result in CommBank's naming rights scope expanding to the Olyroos, the Young Socceroos and the Joeys. CommBank chief executive Matt Comyn, said: 'With the Socceroos facing the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Matildas preparing for the Australia-hosted AFC Women's Asian Cup, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of football in Australia.'
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
CommBank to expand sponsorship portfolio with Football Australia
Football Australia has confirmed that CommBank will become the FIFA World Cup-bound Socceroos' new naming rights sponsor as part of the financial institution's growing investment in the sport. Already the main backer of the Matildas, CommBank will take over from Subway as the Socceroos' major sponsor in September. It's part of a new six-year deal, reportedly worth between $10m and $15m each year, that will result in the bank becoming FA's major sponsor at all levels. 'We are beyond delighted to take this next step in our relationship with CommBank and continue with our joint purpose of creating a game that is accessible to and loved by all Australians,' FA's interim chief executive officer Heather Garriock said. 'CommBank have been incredible partners since 2021. In the four years since, we have together taken the women's and para games from strength to strength, and we cannot wait to extend this success into other programs.' The sponsorship will also result in CommBank's naming rights scope expanding to the Olyroos, the Young Socceroos and the Joeys. CommBank chief executive Matt Comyn, said: 'With the Socceroos facing the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Matildas preparing for the Australia-hosted AFC Women's Asian Cup, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of football in Australia.'
ABC News
02-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Montemurro named Matilda's coach
Samantha Donovan: Well, the long-running search for a new coach of Australia's favourite national sporting team is over. Joe Montemurro has been picked to lead the Matildas after a 10-month recruitment process. His first game in charge is only a few weeks away and the pressure is on for him to return the Tillys to the form they showed at the Home World Cup nearly two years ago. Myles Houlbrook-Walk prepared this report. Soccer Commentator: Courtney Vine can write the Matildas into history. Cue the party! Myles Houlbrook-Walk: It was an almighty peak for Australia's most popular sporting team. Watched on by millions, they won a thrilling penalty shootout against France and Brisbane to get through to the semi-final of the Women's Football World Cup. But since then, the team has floundered with a poor Olympics and then a long hunt for a new coach. Now, Football Australia is confident they've got the right person for the Matildas. Heather Garriock: We have finally got our man, the right man who will take this team to the next level. I am sure. This moment is now and Joe is the coach. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: They've picked Melbourne-born coach Joe Montemurro. The process to get him into the role took so long, the interim coach Tom Sermani says it was wasted time. Interim Chief Executive Heather Garriock today defended the length of the recruitment process and cited complex contractual arrangements. Heather Garriock: I don't think it's a missed opportunity. Everything happens for a reason. And I believe this moment is now and to have Joe with a French championship under his belt is only going to help the Matildas. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: So, who is Joe Montemurro? He's coached women's teams all over the world. Most recently, he led one of the most successful clubs, Lyon, to become champions of France. Joe Montemurro: I said to myself and obviously my wife and family and said, look, this is now an exciting cycle for the Matildas, the Asian Cup, World Cup, Olympic Games and the opportunity was too good. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: And with the Asian Cup just around the corner in March next year, Montemurro has a good feeling. Joe Montemurro: I can smell some success, so let's hope it goes that way. The only promise I make is that we will play an exciting brand of football and that the integrity and the level and the respect of the Matildas will always be at the top of my thinking. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Amy Duggan played 27 games for the Matildas and believes the playing group is likely to be on board with his appointment. Amy Duggan: The girls will be comfortable with the decision. They'll be excited. And as I said, there's a number of Matildas who've been coached by him previously. So he is very familiar with the culture of Australian football, with a lot of the players and a lot of their history. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Amy Duggan says there's not much time before Joe Montemurro's first major tournament, the Asian Cup, but it won't just be that tournament that he and the rest of the nation will want to see the Tillys do well in. Amy Duggan: The real work for the Asian Cup starts now. Players will be vying for places and what that means for the next four year cycle. Because it's not just the Asian Cup. He'll also have a World Cup and an Olympics over the next four years, too. So, yeah, Joe will hit the ground running. There's no doubt about that. And with the success that he's had previously, I'm hopeful that that will continue to be the blueprint for what's going to happen with the Matildas moving forward. Samantha Donovan: That's former Matildas player Amy Duggan. That report from Myles Houlbrook-Walk.
