James Sangma Appointed FQ Ambassador for Far North & Gulf

Football Queensland has announced the appointment of James Sangma as the Club Development Ambassador for Far North and the Gulf, where he’ll be working with local clubs to enhance technical standards, support game growth, and promote long-term sustainability.

He takes on the position after serving as the interim ambassador for the region and brings a wealth of experience from his previous role within FQ’s Game Development team, where he worked hands-on with clubs and participants across coaching, participation programs, and community engagement.

Sangma expressed his focus on strengthening connections and being a dependable presence for local clubs as he steps into his new role as Club Development Ambassador for Far North and the Gulf.

“My main goal is to continue building strong relationships with our clubs and community, ensuring they feel genuinely supported and empowered by having a reliable and visible presence in the region, someone they can turn to for guidance, support and collaboration,” he said via press release.  

“My time in the Game Development team has been invaluable. It allowed me to build strong connections with the dedicated local volunteers, coaches, parents, and players who are the heart of football in this region. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the unique geographical challenges we face, but also the incredible community spirit that truly sets this region apart.”  

In his new position, Sangma will focus on building club capability and advancing coaching development throughout the region. His priorities include improving access to education and strengthening alignment with the FQ Academy pathway with the goal of delivering more consistent and sustainable outcomes for players, coaches, and clubs.

“My vision is to see clubs across the Far North thrive. I want to see strong, confident coaches developing quality players, and clubs embracing the FQ Academy development pathway to build long-term sustainability from grassroots through to senior football,” he said via press release. 

“Cairns and the surrounding areas of the region are filled with genuine, community-minded people doing incredible things. That spirit is what excites me most. There is so much potential here, and I feel privileged to play a role in unlocking it, helping clubs grow, coaches feel supported, and players reach their goals.”

FQ General Manager – Northern Region, Craige Ramage, welcomed the appointment, highlighting James’ strong ties to the region and his proven ability to deliver meaningful results for local clubs.

“We’re excited for James as he steps into this key role, and we’re confident his deep understanding of the Far North and Gulf football landscape, along with his hands-on experience working directly with clubs and participants, will be invaluable in helping us continue to strengthen clubs and grow the game across the region,” he said via press release.

Sangma’s appointment marks a significant step forward in Football Queensland’s commitment to empowering regional communities and ensuring the continued growth and success of the game throughout Far North and the Gulf.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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