Soccerscene Launches ‘Unfiltered’ Podcast with Bill Papastergiadis

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Image Credit: Neos Kosmos

Soccerscene is kicking off a bold new chapter in football storytelling with the launch of its brand-new podcast, Unfiltered. The series promises honest, thought-provoking conversations about football culture, identity, and the stories fans don’t usually hear in mainstream coverage.

In the very first episode, host Mihaila Kilibarda sits down with acclaimed lawyer and South Melbourne FC President, Bill Papastergiadis, to explore football’s role in shaping communities, culture, and personal identity. From emotional connections to off-the-pitch stories, Bill’s perspective brings a unique depth to the game, blending intellectual insight with genuine passion.

“Football is more than just a game — it’s where culture, identity, and community meet,” says Papastergiadis during the episode. “It’s a space where stories are told, and people find belonging.”

Listeners can expect Unfiltered to go beyond match reports and transfers. Each episode will dive into the ideas, people, and cultural forces that make football one of the world’s most compelling sports. Episode 1 is available now, and it sets the tone for a series that will challenge, entertain, and inspire.

Listen now on Spotify: Episode 1 – Bill Papastergiadis

With Unfiltered, Soccerscene is giving fans a space to think, feel, and debate about the game they love. Further, it is encouraging conversations that are as engaging as the football itself.

Stay tuned for future episodes, featuring more voices shaping the beautiful game.

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Northern Motor Group joins FV as Official Automotive Partner

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Image credit: Football Victoria

In an announcement made last week, Football Victoria (FV) announced the Bundoora-based company as its Official Automotive Partner for the next three years, ushering in a new partnership driven by local identity.

Built in Victoria

The alliance betwen FV and Northern Motor Group stands as the latest locally-backed partnership in Victoria’s football landscape.

Furthermore, FV Executive Manager of Commercial, Chris Speldewinde, outlined why a connection with Northern Motor Group is an exciting step forward for the organisation.

“Northern Motor Group are one of the biggest and most respected automotive businesses in Melbourne and we look forward to working with them as our official automotive partner,” Speldewinde explained.

“It’s been an exciting offseason here at FV, with several key partnership signings coming on-board, and we are thrilled to welcome Northern Motor Group to the family.”

This season, partnerships within the Football Victoria pyramid have highlighted immense support from local businesses. With shared identity, values and commitment to the community, partnerships like this are set-up for success.

 

What the partnership will bring

The three-year partnership will look to provide Melbournians and FV staff with a range of benefits, from vehicle access to offers including:

  • 2-years free servicing
  • $500 cash back
  • $500 worth of accessories

Thus, the partnership will look to help locals and participants across FV, reflecting both parties commitment to giving back to the community.

“As enormous supporters of football in Victoria, signing on as Football Victoria’s official automotive partner is something we are very proud of,” said Northern Motor Group Dealer Principal, Nick Soklev.

“For over 40 years, we have been helping Melbournians find the car that is right for them, and we look forward to welcoming he Victorian football community to our dealerships.”

 

Final thoughts

Helping the community, providing exceptional service and creating a welcoming environment – the common values shared by both parties.

For FV and all its participants, Northern Motor Group can be the driving factor which propels football in Victoria to new standards in the years to come.

Football NSW Expands Flexible Football Program as Women’s Participation Surges

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Football NSW has expanded its Flexible Football Initiatives program into six additional associations in 2026, building on a successful pilot year that demonstrated measurable demand for shorter, more accessible formats among women and girls across the state.

The program, a key pillar of the NSW Football Legacy Program funded by the NSW Office of Sport, offers casual tournaments and abbreviated competitions designed to fit around the schedules of women who may not be able to commit to the structure of a traditional 90-minute outdoor winter season. The participation data supports the premise: women currently make up 33 percent of summer football participants compared to 26 percent in outdoor winter football, representing a gap that points directly to the role format flexibility plays in driving female engagement with the game.

First piloted in 2025 in partnership with Football Canterbury, Northern Suburbs Football Association, Macarthur Football Association and Hills Football, the program has now expanded to ten associations across NSW following strong results in its inaugural year.

“Flexible Football gives women more ways to get involved, whether through shorter games or casual competitions,” said Football NSW Female Football Coordinator Emma Griffin. “It’s about making football easier to access and helping more women enjoy playing.”

The structural logic is straightforward. Barriers to participation in women’s sport are rarely about interest, but rather are about time, cost, geography and the degree to which formal competition structures accommodate the realities of women’s lives. A program that removes the requirement to commit to a full winter season lowers the threshold at the point where many women disengage.

The initiative sits within a broader national picture of sustained growth in women’s football, with participation numbers at record levels following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup currently underway in Australia.

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