Parker S. McKenzie

Soccerscene • 29th September 2021

What the future holds for futsal in Australia

The return of the National Futsal Championships is a huge boon, according to two people key to the development of the game within Australia. Last month Football Australia announced the return of the National Futsal Championships, pitting states against each other in a tournament that has been on hiatus since the start of the pandemic.

Soccerscene • 15th September 2021

Jamie Harnwell driving the game forward in Western Australia

Jamie Harnwell is Perth Glory’s record appearance holder, with 256 games across three decades. Now Chief Football Officer for Football West, he spoke to Soccerscene about the changes from the NSL to the A-League, the challenges of running a football federation, and his favourite footballing moments throughout his career.

Soccerscene • 9th September 2021

FIFA's mission to expand the World Cup will only damage it

With 166 member nations of FIFA voting to explore the concept of a two-year cycle for the World Cup, questions need to be asked whether too much of a good thing will destroy what makes the competition special. One of the best parts of the World Cup is the spectacle of it all. The elite quality of the tournament is already being watered down with the changes to the format, with 48 teams instead of 32. While allowing more teams in will create new markets for the competition, it isn’t like the Wo

Soccerscene • 7th September 2021

Carlos Salvachúa: "Playing without promotion and relegation is a big problem"

Carlos Salvachúa was Victory assistant coach under Kevin Muscat, before taking over as caretaker manager. He has coached professionally in Spain and Belgium, including six years at the Real Madrid academy, overseeing the development of the club’s rising stars.

Soccerscene • 2nd September 2021

Pararoos captain Ben Roche: "Football has the ability to start important conversations"

Ben Roche has played 54 times for the Pararoos – Australia’s only national team for people with cerebral palsy – and captained the team around the world. He spoke to Soccerscene about what the Pararoos have done for him, the future of the team after the exclusion of the sport from the Paralympic Games, and how the footballing community can further embrace the squad.

Soccerscene • 27th August 2021

What will a National Second Tier mean for the NPL?

As the concept of a National Second Tier becomes a reality in Australia, there are questions on what the removal of the biggest clubs will mean for the State League competitions. Football Australia are still discussing and workshopping the format of the concept, and how it operates and coexists with the National Premier Leagues (NPL) is one of the biggest questions. When the NPL was created in 2013, the aim was to standardise the State League competitions across Australia and serve as a second

Soccerscene • 25th August 2021

Australian NPL clubs persevere through COVID restrictions

The COVID-19 pandemic has put an immense strain on football clubs worldwide, and Australia is no exception. From stop-start seasons, stifled player development, and clubs being put under financial stress, National Premier League (NPL) clubs have faced some of their biggest challenges.

Soccerscene • 17th August 2021

A-League top bosses contemplate disruption to season

A-League bosses have spoken about the implications of more disruption for the 2021-22 season, with over half the Australian population currently under lockdown or restrictions.

Soccerscene • 13th August 2021

Channel 10 and Paramount+ have hit the ground running

Channel 10 and Paramount have hit the ground running by promoting the A-League to both casual fans and bolted-on supporters, and Australian football will only continue to benefit from their commitment towards promoting the beautiful game.

Soccerscene • 11th August 2021

Football Victoria CEO Kimon Taliadoros: "We have a demand for playing football exceeding the ability to provide opportunities"

Kimon Taliadoros played for some of Australia’s biggest clubs in the National Soccer League, and joined Football Victoria (FV) as president of the federation in 2015 before becoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February of this year. He spoke to Soccerscene about the challenges he has faced so far at FV, increasing participation in football, and how sport serves as an escape for many in our community.

Soccerscene • 2nd August 2021

Capital Football CEO Phil Brown: "The facilities don't reflect the change in participation by women and girls"

Phil Brown has had a career in football administration that has spanned the Asian continent. Now the CEO of Capital Football, he spoke to Soccerscene about helping bring the Asian Cup to Australia, the changing demographics of football, and the opportunities football can create.

Soccerscene • 30th July 2021

Futsal deserves to be in the Olympics

Few sports currently excluded from the Summer Olympics are as ready – or deserving – as futsal. The addition of Futsal to the Olympics would not only bring excitement to the games through the entertainment factor, but also create further opportunities for players to develop.

Soccerscene • 28th July 2021

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley: “It isn't a national competition without a Tasmanian team in it”

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley has been in the job since August 2018, and has had plenty of work cut out for him during a turbulent time in Australian football. He spoke to Soccerscene about his involvement in football, Tasmania’s A-League ambitions, and the future of the game in Australia’s smallest state.

Soccerscene • 20th July 2021

Knights Stadium: More than just a home ground

Knights Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in Australian football – for many it is more than just a stadium.

Soccerscene • 14th July 2021

Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis: "The biggest challenge we have in our game is infrastructure"

Western United have had a tumultuous start to life in the A-League. After weathering the start of the pandemic, Chief Executive Officer Chris Pehlivanis talks to Soccerscene about his involvement in football, building a stadium and the future of the A-League.

Soccerscene • 5th July 2021

National second division finds support within the A-League's top brass

As a national second division becomes inevitable, key stakeholders within the A-League agree it is crucial to the development of Australian football, forging a path for promotion and relegation to become a reality.

Soccerscene • 30th June 2021

Who will be the next Melbourne Victory CEO?

When Trent Jacobs announced in May that he would be stepping down as Melbourne Victory Chief Executive Officer (CEO), he left a colossal task ahead for whoever is his chosen successor.

Soccerscene • 22nd June 2021

Terry McFlynn: 'I'd like to see clubs have stand-alone facilities'

Terry McFlynn played over 200 games for Sydney FC, second only to Alex Brosque. After retiring from the game, he joined the staff at Sydney FC before heading west to be Perth Glory’s football operations manager, and he is also a Executive Committee member of Football Coaches Australia.

Soccerscene • 10th June 2021

Is it time for a national agenda regarding Futsal?

Futsal has played a huge role in the development of some of the most famous football players on the planet. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar are three of the biggest names in game, who all honed their skills playing the small-sided game.

Soccerscene • 1st June 2021

Melbourne Victory W-League head coach Jeff Hopkins: “There are so many positive things happening in the game right now”

Jeff Hopkins coached Melbourne Victory to the most dramatic of wins in this years W-League final – a goal directly from a corner kick, in the dying seconds of extra time.