Industry News Catchup – July 4th, 2017

AFL

• Football great Kevin Sheedy has called on the AFL to open the new Burswood Stadium next year with a one-off State of Origin fixture between WA and Victoria.
• TASMANIA is sick of jumping through the AFL’s hoops — now it is up to the League to show the way for the state to enter the national competition, says Premier Will Hodgman.
• Following on from NAB’s ‘Mini Legends’ campaign last year, the major bank and Clemenger BBDO Melbourne have teamed up once again to create the next installment – The NAB Mini Legends Draft
• Ben Buckley declares North has no plans to increase number of home games in Hobart & will remain based at Arden St
• INAUGURAL AFL Women’s premiership coach Bec Goddard has urged the league not to “break” the successful competition by expanding it too rapidly.
• WOMEN’S football will be a centrepiece as the South Australian State Government launches a social media campaign set out to further the engagement and opportunities for women in sport.
• Subiaco would consider shifting back to their traditional home at Subiaco Oval if they could mirror Claremont’s deal at the redeveloped Claremont Oval. While Subiaco’s preferred position is to remain at Leederville Oval, where they have a lease until 2025 and are negotiating further improvements to their facility, the powerful WAFL club is weighing up a move back to WA football’s historic headquarters.

NRL

• THE NRL will become a millionaires factory after offering staggering 48 per cent pay increase to its players but has warned — want any more and you will send the game broke. In the first year of the new deal the salary will increase by 32 per cent.
• Melbourne Storm have signed a sponsorship deal with Quit B Fit. The smoking awareness campaign’s branding will appear on the back of the Australian rugby league side’s playing shorts for the rest of the 2017 season.
• Relocate a Sydney NRL club? Welcome to Wollongong

ARU

• Pressure has intensified on the Australian Rugby Union to cull one of its five Australian Super Rugby teams after confirmation out of Britain that South Africa’s two jettisoned sides are negotiating to join the Pro12 series.

A-league

• NORWOOD Oval may be the new home for Adelaide United’s men’s and women’s teams. United bosses have been locked in talks with SANFL club Norwood chiefs over the prospect after the Redlegs were approached to host Adelaide’s A-League matches. The cost of hiring Hindmarsh – which is about $80,000 per A-League match – is forcing United to consider Norwood Oval, which has potential to save United thousands of dollars a season. Football Federation Australia has not yet rubber-stamped the 20,000 capacity venue, with the camber of the pitch and a lack of corporate facilities causing concern.
• Football Federation Australia says it has won a major battle against the clubs, players and the two biggest state federations but it could come at a significant price for the governing body; the establishment of a national second division that could serve as the stepping stone towards promotion and relegation, a move one A-League club has already spoken  against.
• Michael Lynch asks if Dandenong could mirror the Wanderers and be Melbourne’s third A-League club
• A-League clubs are demanding a forensic financial audit of FFA’s books – and have threatened court action if their demand is not met.
• Melbourne City FC has announced MatchWorks as the Official Coach Partner, which will see the community based, non-for-profit employment services provider’s logo feature on the A-League Coaching Staff’s training kit.