UEFA and European Parliament commit to promoting inclusion

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UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and European Parliament President David Sassoli have agreed for the organisations to work together to promote inclusion and safeguard solidarity.

During a videoconference on Tuesday, Čeferin and Sassoli discussed social and societal objectives – in particular the two presidents discussed fighting racism, improving inclusion and stopping prejudice.

“Europe is united in diversity but also in its love of football,” President Sassoli said.

“It brings people together from different backgrounds and unites communities – something we need more than ever as we rebuild after COVID-19.

“The European Parliament is committed to the fight against racism and will work closely with UEFA on projects to tackle prejudice and boost inclusion.”

UEFA President Čeferin shared a similar sentiment about promoting inclusion.

“From promoting values in education of young people, to promoting equality and diversity and fighting all forms of discrimination, UEFA and the European Parliament have a longstanding shared vision of European football as a force for good,” he said.

The pair also spoke about how European football can aid Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Whilst COVID-19 has temporarily postponed our plans to celebrate 60 years of EURO with a tournament bridging the entire continent, UEFA is doing all it can to ensure that football continues to spread joy and promote values to hundreds of millions of people across the EU,” confirmed Čeferin.

President Sassoli said that the European model of sport, that involved fans and strengthened communities needed to be protected.

“This contributes to a common European feeling. UEFA has an essential role to play in protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring it benefits Europe as a whole,” he added.

Čeferin and Sassoli also provided reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must not overlook what this crisis has taught us about the importance of continuing to build a model of sports that promotes football for the enjoyment of all, rather than the profit of the few,” Čeferin said.

The impact of the pandemic has offered plenty of valuable lessons to be learned going forward.

“This has been one of the most difficult years for football in Europe,” Sassoli said.

“Players have seen their leagues cancelled or postponed and fans have been unable to attend matches in person.”

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Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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