Ministry of Sport

Boccia Australia Appoints Maria Twomey as Board Director to Propel Paralympic Growth Ahead of Brisbane 2032

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

Boccia Australia has officially appointed of Maria Twomey as its newest Board Director, positioning the national sporting organisation for strategic expansion as the sector capitalises on the commercial momentum of the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Twomey brings an extensive 15-year professional background spanning human rights, gender equality, discrimination policy, and organisational strategy across both government and non-government sectors.

Her distinguished career includes holding senior leadership positions at the Australian Human Rights Commission and Transport for NSW, alongside conducting high-level independent cultural reviews across sport, education, and various other commercial industries.

This governance and policy expertise is expected to play a pivotal role as Boccia Australia scales its administrative capabilities to manage rising participation rates and increased federal funding flows.

Reflecting on her appointment, Twomey emphasised that the sport’s genuine commitment to inclusion and accessibility served as a primary catalyst for joining the board, coupled with the unique opportunity to contribute during a transformative growth period for Australian adaptive sport.

Boccia Australia leadership warmly welcomed the addition, noting that Twomey’s governance acumen, strategic foresight, and deep understanding of policy implementation will be invaluable as the organisation navigates the complex commercial and operational demands leading into the new decade.

With Brisbane 2032 drawing unprecedented public attention, commercial investment, and stakeholder engagement to the domestic sporting landscape, national governing bodies are under mounting pressure to establish robust administrative foundations.

Twomey’s appointment directly targets this organisational need, ensuring that the sport can successfully leverage national visibility to secure long-term commercial sustainability, expand accessibility, and foster inclusive participation pathways from the grassroots level up to elite high-performance programs.

Furthermore, strengthening executive oversight enhances the sport’s appeal to corporate sponsors seeking alignment with progressive, highly inclusive sporting properties.

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Rugby Australia Extends Partnership with PTP Through 2027

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

Rugby Australia has officially announced a partnership extension with Australian-owned high-performance hardware and accessory leader, PTP, securing their ongoing collaboration as the Official Fitness Accessory Supplier through to the end of 2027.

Under the renewed agreement, PTP will continue to supply elite strength, core, mobility, and recovery equipment across all national high-performance programmes, including the Wallabies, Wallaroos, and Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams.

The alliance involves close collaboration between PTP and Rugby Australia’s medical and athletic performance staff to refine, develop, and tailor hardware solutions specifically to the modern demands of professional rugby.

Commenting on the extension, Rugby Australia GM of Performance Health, Science and Data, Scott Murphy, said: “Maintaining elite physical condition across our national teams requires high-quality, reliable, and innovative performance tools.”

“PTP has been a trusted partner of Rugby Australia since 2020 and their commitment to continuous product innovation and world-class athletic equipment directly supports our sports science and medical staff in keeping our players performing at their peak, minimising injury risk, and accelerating recovery.

“Extending our partnership through to the end of 2027 provides our high-performance environment with total consistency as our teams prepare for major global tournaments on home soil and abroad,” Murphy said.

An Extension that Provides Stability and Alignment for Rugby Australia

Chairman and Athletic Director of PTP and former Wallabies captain, George Gregan, emphasised the deep corporate trust underpinning the agreement as it enters its seventh year.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Rugby Australia as we enter our seventh year together.”

“Longevity like this is built on trust, shared values and a commitment to helping athletes perform at their best.

“It’s an exciting time for Australian rugby, and we’re honoured to continue supporting every national program on its journey,” Gregan stated.

By locking in this collaboration through 2027, both organisations reinforce their mutual commitment to elite sporting excellence, injury prevention, and world-class athletic preparation.

Since first joining forces in 2020, the partnership has served as an essential operational component for national squads, ensuring players maintain peak physical condition during rigorous domestic and international campaigns.

Red Bull New York Partners with LeagueApps to Modernise Youth Soccer Registration Ecosystem

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

Major League Soccer club Red Bull New York has announced a commercial partnership with youth sports management platform LeagueApps, designating the technology company as the official online registration partner for Red Bulls Youth Programs.

Serving more than 50,000 players and families annually, the club’s premier youth development system is migrating its entire digital registration ecosystem to LeagueApps to deliver streamlined camp management, integrated compliance tools, automated family communications, and advanced player evaluation functionality across its extensive operations.

Operating out of Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, Red Bull New York represents one of the ten charter clubs of Major League Soccer, providing foundational community pathways, regional partnerships across New York and New Jersey, and Regional Development Schools alongside its Academy teams.

The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency while optimising user experience and parent engagement across digital touchpoints for tens of thousands of participating families.

Emphasising the priority placed on digital member services, head of youth programs at Red Bull New York, David Jervis, said: “Providing the best possible registration experience for our members and participants is top priority for Red Bulls Youth Programs.”

“LeagueApps stood out as the ideal partner to power our registration hub.

“Their dedicated youth sports focus, flexible capabilities, and robust feature set will make the registration process easier, enhance our members online experience and parent communication,” Jervis said.

Highlighting the synergy of the partnership, CEO of LeagueApps, Brian Litvack, noted the organisation’s dedication to supporting grassroots sports administration.

“LeagueApps’ solutions are designed to help youth sports clubs provide amazing experiences to athletes and their families.”

“We’re proud to pair our technology platform and business services with Red Bull New York, who continue to raise the bar for youth soccer development programs, parent communications, and community engagement,” Litvack said.

The partnership underscores LeagueApps’ growing influence as a leading business management platform supporting thousands of clubs, leagues, and millions of athletes worldwide.

UEFA Chief Aleksander Ceferin Warns Gianni Infantino Over FIFA Presidency Challenge

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, has ruled himself out of succeeding Gianni Infantino while warning that the under-fire FIFA leader faces a definitive choice between stepping down or confronting a high-stakes leadership challenge at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.

The governance crisis stems from Infantino’s controversial and now-abandoned strategy to secure private equity investment to run major international FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups. The initiative sparked severe backlash across European football, with UEFA threatening potential competition boycotts and multiple continental federations withdrawing political backing.

Despite speculation regarding his own ambitions, the administrator dismissed any prospect of running for the global governing body’s top job.

Speaking on a podcast, Ceferin outlined his reasoning clearly.

“I’m not interested because of two reasons, One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… It’s time to also enjoy life a bit.”

“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position,” Ceferin stated.

Ceferin forecasted that Infantino’s previously secure position has eroded across the broader football organisation. Outlining the political landscape leading up to the March 2027 ballot, Ceferin, noted: “There are two options, One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of players, former players, coaches.”

“And the second option is that he goes to the election in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who,” He added.

Potential contenders for the presidency include CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman Ebrahim al-Khalifa.

Meanwhile, Infantino remains defiant, campaigning directly among member associations and positioning himself as a champion for developing football nations.

Highlighting his administration’s financial distribution objectives, Infantino defended his record during a visit to the Dominican Republic.

“We want to grow football in every one of our 211 countries in the world.”

“We need to find investments for all the others, opportunities for all the others.

“This is about, indeed, finding and giving opportunities, access and resources to world football,” Infantino said.

With African and South American blocs maintaining support, the political battle lines are firmly drawn ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

US Open Expands Creator Credentials and Digital Strategy

Posted on August 25, 2026August 25, 2026 by Courtney

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is scaling its digital and commercial footprint for the upcoming tournament, approving credentials for close to 100 content creators, almost doubling the 54 credentialed for the initiative’s debut last year.

With the 2025 launch carefully ideated over a prolonged period, the strategy recognises that traditional media and independent digital creators capture distinct audiences across global markets.

Explaining the rationale behind the expansion, USTA director of media operations, Jeanmarie Daly, said: “We realised we live in a world where traditional media and content creators reach different audiences in different ways.”

“Our goal for the program was to have the broadest possible spectrum of coverage for the tournament,” Daly said.

Alongside roughly 15 to 20 creators producing content directly on behalf of the organisation, the internal digital strategy has yielded staggering metrics.

Noting the rise in engagement, USTA senior director of social media, Jonathan Zipper, noted: “A few years ago, our owned and operated US Open social accounts were driving around 1 billion interactions total throughout the entirety of the event.”

“Two years ago, we drove 2.3 billion, and then last year we broke another record and drove 3.1 billion,” Zipper stated.

Reflecting on the relationship between digital innovation and event prestige, Zipper added: “I think everything works together collectively to make the event the cultural moment that it is on the calendar at this point.”

“The exponential growth goes hand in hand with the sport of tennis and the tournament itself,” Zipper said.

Last year’s cohort generated more than 5.5 million engagements across social platforms, focusing heavily on the lifestyle, retail, and social dimensions of the event alongside traditional on-court coverage.

To build on this momentum, the 2026 program introduces a dedicated category for social media teams at traditional media outlets, allowing them to capture social-first content alongside their editorial colleagues.

Furthermore, the USTA has expanded credentialing to prominent podcasts, such as Andy Roddick’s Served, which will record live from the Flushing Meadows grounds during Fan Week from August 23 to 30.

With YouTube emerging as a core focus area through branded initiatives like the five-episode series Rally the Boroughs, the tournament continues to cement its status as a major cultural and commercial property.

Following a record-breaking 2025 attendance of 1.14 million, this creator integration positions the commercial enterprise for continued audience expansion worldwide.

Essendon Football Club Appoints Mark McVeigh as AFL Senior Coach

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

The Essendon Football Club has officially appointed former club vice-captain Mark McVeigh as its new AFL senior coach on a three-year contract running through to the end of the 2029 AFL season.

The appointment concludes an extensive and deliberate search process led by the club’s board and executive team, bringing the 232-game veteran back to the NEC Hangar after a fourteen-year absence and extensive elite coaching experience across the competition.

Essendon president, Andrew Welsh, emphasised that the board’s decision was unanimous, reflecting a clear commercial and strategic vision for the organisation’s future.

“We have been extremely clear on the strategy and direction of this football club.”

“We are building the next successful era for Essendon, with a view to playing finals, winning finals and competing for premierships.

“Mark is the best coach to take us forward to achieve that,” Welsh stated.

Welsh also noted that McVeigh’s tactical expertise and ability to connect with an emerging playing list made him the standout candidate to drive high-performance standards.

“Mark was clearly the best candidate for what this role demands.

“He’s developed emerging talent throughout his coaching career, and he connects with younger players in a way that matters for a list at our stage.

“His game plan is built for the modern game, quick ball movement, adaptable structures, and it’s suited to where this competition is heading,” he added.

Acknowledging the weight of returning to the club where he played fourteen seasons, McVeigh expressed commitment to establishing rigorous cultural benchmarks from day one.

“It’s a privilege to return to Essendon, this club has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m incredibly excited to be back and to help lead the club I love.”

“We’re not looking backwards, we’re building the next great era of this football club.

“That’s not built on promises, It’s built on our standards, our actions and the work we put in every single day,” McVeigh said.

McVeigh steps into the role immediately to oversee player exit meetings, with the broader playing group scheduled to return for pre-season training on Monday, November 9.

South East Melbourne Phoenix Extends Commercial Partnership with United Carriers for NBL27

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

South East Melbourne Phoenix has officially announced the extension of its partnership with United Carriers, securing the brand as an Official Partner for the upcoming NBL27 season.

While entering its second consecutive year as an official tier partner of the Phoenix, United Carriers boasts a longstanding relationship with the club that spans multiple years, reflecting a deep corporate connection built on shared strategic values.

Under the terms of the renewed agreement, United Carriers will retain its prominent branding position across the lower back of the Phoenix warm-up tops, alongside a range of integrated activation rights throughout the campaign.

United Carriers has continually sought to transform the traditional freight forwarding industry through progressive technological solutions and smarter logistics strategies, aligning seamlessly with the Phoenix’s broader organisational ambitions to drive innovation and break conventional boundaries in professional basketball.

The commercial alliances of this nature provide sporting franchises with vital financial stability while delivering targeted brand visibility for corporate partners across national platforms.

The continued collaboration highlights the enduring appeal of the National Basketball League as a premier platform for corporate partnerships, offering businesses tangible returns through digital and physical brand integration.

The Phoenix leadership team expressed enthusiasm for maintaining the alliance, emphasising that working alongside forward-thinking corporate entities is crucial for sustaining long-term competitiveness in an evolving sports landscape.

United Carriers’ ongoing commitment demonstrates how business-to-business brands can effectively utilise professional sports sponsorships to enhance corporate identity, build client relationships, and drive brand equity across competitive domestic markets.

Melbourne United Launches Extensive School Holiday Program and Elite Academy Pathways to Drive Grassroots Growth

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Courtney

Melbourne United has officially opened registrations for its statewide school holiday camps and elite academy tryouts, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to grassroots engagement and junior talent development.

Designed to cater to participants of all skill levels, the upcoming holiday program offers structured basketball experiences across Victoria, providing young athletes with professional coaching in a safe and welcoming environment. The initiative reflects a concerted commercial and community effort by the club to foster long-term brand loyalty while expanding participation pathways from foundational junior levels through to elite representative competition.

The holiday offering features specialised one and two-day junior camps tailored for boys and girls aged six to twelve, focusing on fundamental skill acquisition, teamwork, and active recreation. To maximise accessibility and drive commercial conversion, Melbourne United has introduced targeted value propositions, including custom club T-shirts and showbags for all participants, with two-day attendees also receiving a regulation basketball.

Furthermore, the club has implemented commercial incentives to encourage group participation and member retention, offering a ten percent registration discount for club members and a twenty percent price reduction for groups of three or more children registering together.

Alongside foundational junior camps, the club is advancing its elite talent identification framework through the Melbourne United Basketball Academy tryouts and specialised high-performance sessions targeted at serious athletes aged twelve to eighteen.

These competitive pathways assess participants on technical proficiency, work ethic, and coachability to determine optimal placement within the academy’s structured development, performance, and elite programs.

Representative athletes also have access to the high-performance camp, which covers advanced shooting, tactical finishing, decision-making, and the club’s core offensive and defensive philosophies under the expert guidance of MUBA head coach and former National Basketball League champion Nathan Crosswell.

Additionally, domestic players competing in under-twelve and under-fourteen divisions can participate in dedicated skill development camps designed to elevate their on-court performance.

FM Extends Commitment to Australian Golf Through 2028 Australian Open Partnership

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Courtney

Global commercial property insurer FM has reinforced its commercial footprint by signing as an Official Partner of the Capital.com men’s Australian Open through to 2028.

The upcoming 2026 championship is scheduled to take place from December 3 to 6 at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, headlined by back-to-back Masters champion Rory McIlroy.

Welcoming the strengthened alliance, and emphasising the mutual benefits of aligning commercial growth with elite national competition, Golf Australia CEO, James Sutherland, said: “We’re delighted to welcome FM as an Official Partner of the Australian Open.”

“FM has already experienced the value of being involved with our world-class event, and it’s exciting to see them deepen that commitment through this expanded partnership.

“Their extended commitment reflects the growth trajectory our national Open is experiencing as we look forward to a great event at Kingston Heath in December,” Sutherland said.

Noting that the sponsorship mirrors the values underpinning the insurer’s global operations, SVP and chief client experience officer at insurer FM, David Johnson, added: “Together with our partnerships across the LPGA Tour and Boston Common Golf, and our ambassadors Rory McIlroy, Megan Khang and Lottie Woad, this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the game while aligning with organisations that share our values.”

“The principles that drive success in golf – preparation, resilience and long-term performance – closely align with FM’s commitment to helping clients protect their purpose, prevent loss and build resilience against risk,” Johnson stated.

Echoing these sentiments, SVP – Asia Pacific division manager at insurer FM, James Thompson, added: “Our partnership with Golf Australia brings FM’s focus on resilience to life locally at a world-class event, while creating valuable opportunities to strengthen our relationships with clients and brokers across Australia.”

“The Australian Open gives us a powerful platform to deliver memorable experiences and deepen the partnerships that help businesses build long-term resilience,” Thompson shared.

The multi-year agreement includes Official Partner designation, premium hospitality experiences, and integrated digital and social media activations across Australian Golf channels, alongside targeted client engagement opportunities.

Adelaide 36ers and BHP Strengthen Community Impact Through Shooting Stars Partnership

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Courtney

The Adelaide 36ers have reinforced their social responsibility and community engagement framework through an ongoing partnership with BHP, recently hosting young Indigenous leaders from regional South Australia.

As part of a leadership camp organised by the Shooting Stars Program, an initiative supporting educational engagement, leadership, and social wellbeing for Aboriginal girls and young women across South Australia and Western Australia, eight students from Whyalla visited Adelaide for an immersive cultural and sporting experience.

The players participated in a specialised basketball and leadership clinic facilitated by Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Kerry Williams, players Ben Griscti and Deonte Williams, alongside WNBL player Ashlee Strawbridge.

The collaboration highlights the commercial and community value of aligning professional sporting organisations with major corporate partners like BHP to drive regional impact.

Since establishing its footprint in South Australia in 2021, Shooting Stars has expanded across four government schools in Whyalla, successfully empowering more than 150 students from years three to twelve to achieve greater engagement with their schools and communities.

This ongoing partnership enables the NBL club to extend its regional outreach significantly, with upcoming initiatives scheduled to include school visits in Whyalla next month that will engage a broader 130-person student cohort.

Emphasising the strategic value of the community partnership, Adelaide 36ers chief of external relations & community strategy, Ross Wait, highlighted the impact of the program on both the athletes and the visiting students.

“It was a really special opportunity for Kerry and our players to spend time with the Shooting Stars participants.”

“The young women were in Adelaide for a leadership camp, and while I’m sure they took something away from the experience, Ben and Deonte also learnt a lot from them.

“Shooting Stars is doing incredible work engaging and inspiring Aboriginal students in regional areas and we are proud to have played a part, thanks to BHP who connected us with the program,” Wait said.

Little Athletics Queensland Co-Launches National Friends of GMR Veteran Sport Initiative

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Courtney

Little Athletics Queensland has assisted with the launched the national Friends of Gallipoli Medical Research program at Parliament House in Canberra.

The initiative positions Little Athletics Queensland as one of ten founding members supporting the program since late 2025. Addressing Members of Parliament, key representatives from the veteran community, and prominent sporting executives.

The official launch marks the commencement of a three-year national research program by Gallipoli Medical Research designed to examine how active involvement in sport can dramatically improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of veterans and their families.

The study will explore veteran participation rates, operational barriers to involvement, and structured opportunities for former service personnel to contribute through coaching, officiating, volunteering, and executive leadership.

Furthermore, the initiative will establish a robust national engagement framework to measure positive outcomes such as social connection, camaraderie, purpose, and community integration across the country.

Little Athletics Queensland CEO, Christopher Davis, highlighted the profound alignment between grassroots sporting organisations and the Australian Defence Force.

“Sport and Defence share many of the same foundations: discipline, camaraderie, high standards and being part of something bigger than yourself.”

“Veterans bring extraordinary leadership, organisation and life experience to our sporting communities. In return, local clubs can provide connection, purpose and a place to belong.”

“A veteran walking into a sporting club isn’t starting from scratch, they already speak our language,” Davis shared.

Following the national launch, Little Athletics Queensland is actively encouraging local centres, volunteers, and regional members to participate in expanding the partnership.

Initiatives will include grassroots fundraising activities, connecting regional veterans with local athletics clubs, and developing targeted community programs that bring the alliance to life.

NFL and ESPN Deepen Broadcast Partnership Across Australia and New Zealand

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Courtney

The National Football League (NFL) and ESPN have announced an expansion of their long-standing local broadcast partnership across Australia and New Zealand for the 2026 season, securing extensive coverage headlined by Australia’s first-ever regular-season fixture.

Under the arrangement, ESPN Australia will provide comprehensive weekly coverage throughout the competitive campaign, featuring a minimum of six live weekly games, all postseason matchups, and Super Bowl LXI from SoFi Stadium on February 15, 2027. The agreement solidifies a commercial alliance spanning more than thirty years, reinforcing the network’s position across platforms including Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.

The centerpiece of the expanded schedule is a dedicated presentation of the 2026 NFL Melbourne game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST.

This milestone fixture features a halftime performance by the multi-platinum Jonas Brothers presented by American Express. Additionally, ESPN Australia has extended its exclusive regional rights to NFL RedZone on Disney+, delivering over seven hours of continuous action every Monday alongside game replays and highlights.

The broadcast enhancement supports an estimated community of 8.8 million fans across Australia amid rapid regional growth.

Commenting on the agreement, NFL Australia and New Zealand GM, Charlotte Offord, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN Australia, in what is a milestone year for the league.”

“Our partnership with ESPN is built on a shared commitment to delivering the very best NFL action to fans wherever and however they choose to watch.

“ESPN’s year-round coverage makes them an important partner as we continue to grow the game here, starting with the New England Patriots taking on the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 10.

“Together, we’re creating more opportunities to engage fans, showcase our athletes and bring the excitement of the NFL to our 8.8 million fans across Australia,” Offord said.

Echoing these sentiments, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand SVP and managingdDirector – head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, added: “We’re thrilled to offer ESPN and Disney+ viewers a prime viewing position of the landmark NFL Melbourne game taking place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.”

“It’s an unmissable moment in the sporting calendar.

“ESPN is Australia and New Zealand’s home ground for sports entertainment, with the most comprehensive coverage of the NFL including the Super Bowl.

“Building on a long-standing alliance with the NFL spanning more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN serves millions of sports fans locally via the most widely distributed premium sports network across pay TV and streaming,” Watson-Wheeler added.

FIA Hails Success of IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington D.C. as US Motorsport Expands Globally

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Courtney

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially praised the staging of the NTT IndyCar Series Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.

Held as part of nationwide celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, the street race brought elite motor sport to the heart of the nation’s capital, with Florida-born driver Kyle Kirkwood claiming a dominant victory before a packed crowd of thousands surrounding the temporary circuit.

The event arrives amid an era of unprecedented financial and audience momentum for motor sport across the United States. Recent commercial indicators highlight that the economic impact of the U.S. motor sport industry topped $69.2 billion in 2025, supporting more than 318,000 jobs, while Formula 1 fan engagement has scaled to a record 76.3 million nationwide.

Operating alongside its esteemed Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, the global governing body continues to reinforce international regulatory and safety standards across North America, which is scheduled to host five major international races across three distinct championships.

Lauding the international collaboration and rapid operational delivery required to execute the landmark sporting event, FIA president, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. has been an extraordinary celebration of American motor sport, and I congratulate President Donald J. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the Administration, INDYCAR, ACCUS and everyone who worked to bring this vision to life.”

Highlighting the executive leadership behind the commercial execution, Sulayem, added: “In particular, I commend Roger Penske for his unwavering determination in making this race a reality.”

“Not only has he and Freedom 250 Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker secured bipartisan support for this historic occasion, but he and his team have also succeeded in delivering this outstanding event at an extraordinary pace.

” There has never been a more exciting time for motor sport in the United States.

“The passion of American fans is clear to see, the automotive and motor sport industries here are among the strongest in the world, and the country is playing an increasingly important role across our sport,” Sulayen noted.

Australian Institute of Sport Expands GAFA with Five New Nations

Posted on August 24, 2026August 23, 2026 by Courtney

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has strengthened its international leadership in female athlete health and performance by welcoming five new nations to the Global Alliance for Female Athletes (GAFA).

Established as an international partnership designed to close critical knowledge gaps, GAFA unites world-leading experts to optimise support systems for female athletes, coaches, and sports medicine providers.

Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland have now officially joined founding members Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, forming a robust global coalition dedicated to advancing targeted research, sharing expertise, and improving accessibility to evidence-based health resources worldwide.

Since its inception, the alliance has delivered a rapidly growing library of athlete-centred resources, including digital webinars, educational modules, podcasts, and practical toolkits, while fostering international collaboration on emerging research priorities. This expansion ensures that the coalition incorporates diverse perspectives from various sporting systems, driving superior health and performance outcomes for women and girls globally.

Highlighting the international appetite for collaborative innovation and knowledge exchange across borders, leader of the AIS Female Performance Health Initiative and inaugural chair of GAFA, Dr Rachel Harris, said: “GAFA was founded on a shared belief that female athletes everywhere deserve access to trusted, evidence-based information to support their health, wellbeing and performance.”

“The growth of GAFA to nine nations shows there is enormous appetite around the world to work together, share knowledge and create lasting change for female athletes.

“By working together across borders, we’re able to accelerate research, share lessons faster and ensure more female athletes benefit from the latest evidence and insights,” she said.

Dr Harris further noted that a core priority of the expanded alliance is ensuring that female-focused research reaches practitioners and competitors regardless of geographical constraints, while accurately reflecting the demographic diversity of female athletes worldwide.

Building upon foundational discussions held at international gatherings such as the Women in Sport Congress in Brisbane, GAFA’s network continues to scale effectively. Additionally, Ireland and Belgium have officially aligned with the coalition as supporting partners, committing to resource sharing and global advocacy.

The network now encompasses premier high-performance institutions including the UK Sports Institute, High Performance Sport New Zealand, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and European bodies such as the French Institute of Sport and German Institute for Applied Training Science.

Picklr Launches Australian Expansion with First Purpose-Built Indoor Pickleball Club in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire

Posted on August 24, 2026August 23, 2026 by Courtney

Global indoor pickleball network Picklr has officially entered the Australian market, launching its flagship venue in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire as part of a commercial strategy to establish up to 50 clubs across Australia and New Zealand.

Located in Caringbah, Picklr Cronulla opened its doors to players featuring 11 permanent indoor courts, professional coaching infrastructure, structured competitions, a licensed café, pro shop, and dedicated community spaces.

The milestone responds to surging domestic participation rates, with AusPlay data identifying pickleball as Australia’s fastest-growing sport by participation, creating unprecedented commercial demand for dedicated recreational facilities.

Sharing the rationale behind selecting the Sutherland Shire for the network’s first Australian footprint, and noting established local enthusiasm where players previously relied on shared community venues.

“We could have opened this club anywhere in Sydney.”

“We chose the Shire because the players were already here, borrowing court time in community venues and waiting for a premium purpose-built facility.”

“Highlighting the long-term corporate vision for the region, he added, “Cronulla is the first of 50, and it sets the standard for every club that follows,” Pistilli said.

The Australian and New Zealand operations are spearheaded by GM Lara Giltinan, a professional player on the Professional Pickleball Association Tour, alongside brand ambassador and former Socceroos captain Charlie Yankos.

Giltinan emphasised the universal accessibility driving the sport’s rapid commercial evolution across diverse demographics.

“Pickleball is the most welcoming sport I have played.”

“It doesn’t matter whether you are eight or 80, or whether you have ever held a paddle.”

“Watching people finish their first game and immediately ask when they can come back is the reason we built this,” Giltinan shared.

To celebrate the official launch, Picklr Cronulla is hosting a community open day featuring free court access, beginner coaching sessions, family activities, and exhibition matches involving professional players Mitch Hargreaves and Andie Dikosavljevic.

Following the Caringbah launch, a second regional facility is already planned for Brookvale to service Sydney’s Northern Beaches, as private investment floods into purpose-built sports real estate across the country.