Also, why are they building a great big fucking stadium in a domestic area of hobart? :P

Sunshine Coast Sunshine Announce Unique Media & Sponsorship Partnership With Viacom & Umbro

In what is a world first, fledgling A-League club the Sunshine Coast Sunshine have entered into a unique partnership with media conglomerate Viacom and sporting goods manufacturer Umbro. As part of the agreement, a different media entity will be promoted on the Sunshine's kit for every game of the league season. A limited edition of 500 of these kits will be available on sunshinecoastsunshine.com.au/store/ltdkits after every game. Five dollars from each unique Umbro jersey sold will go to the Chosen Charity of the Sunshine's man of the match in that jersey.

As part of the deal, Viacom shows will be featuring guest appearances and cross-promotions featuring Sunshine players. New Sunshine recruit Deco will be making a guest appearance on an up-coming episode of Comedy Central's hit show "South Park", a first of many such appearances. This episode will be screened on SBS after the Sunshine have worn a limited edition South Park jersey on Matchday Four.

The Sunshine's Gameday 2 jersey will feature a promotion for the Viacom/Harmonix video game venture "Rock Band: Radiohead", with Sunshine and New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz available as an unlockable avatar in the PS3 version of the game. The first 100 jerseys will also be signed by both Radiohead and star striker Smeltz.

Given that Viacom are the parent company of varied media interests, from Paramount Pictures, to MTV and VH1, to video game developers Harmonix and cartoon network Nickelodeon (home of Spongebob Squarepants), we can expect a wide array of unique and collectible jerseys for fans of football, music, television and film alike.

According to Sunshine chairman Scouse Roar, the basic kit design will be released "in the coming days", and that we should "expect surprises" with some of the unique sponsorship opportunities that the new partnership will provide.

Sunshine Coast & Viacom: Letting The Sunshine (Members) In!

In a further addition to the exceptional and unique game-day experience to be experienced by Sunshine Coast Sunshine fans, supporters at Dick's Roast Spatchcock Park will be first in and best dressed for a variety of unique game day promotions. To kick off this extended partnership with Viacom, the Sunshine and Chairman Scouse Roar have announced that all inaugural members will have invites to the first ever Australian filming of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report", which will be shot inside Dick's Roast Spatchcock Park immediately following the club's first home game.

A special limited run of replica kits featuring Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as worn by the players on Matchday 1 will be available for purchase by members only - and will be signed by the entire squad, as well as Jon and Stephen!

Memberships are still available and be sure to snap them up quickly - this promises to be the first of many unique opportunities only available to Sunshine members!

question afro before things get under way... what about Asian Champions League, do we qualify?, how many teams because given the amount of divisions you'd think we'd have 4 under the current criteria for the ACL and if we do have the ACL criteria changed about foreign players and the squad selections for Asian competition

[size=7]Rivalry Heats Up North[/size]
Seb Hassett
The football rivarly has heated up in Queensland almost matching the temperatures in sunny North Queensland, as a war of words has been stoked between original A-League franchise Brisbane Roar and new addition North Queensland International. North Queensland who has sent tongues wagging by ruffling there southern neighbours with headline grabbing over the past month with a number of high profile arrivals at Inter such as world cup sensation Sami Khedira, Chelsea defender Alex and Barcelona wonderkid Bojan arriving in Townsville in recent times. Brisbane Roar have tried to keep up but seem to have been left behind by North Queensland and Sunshine Coast in Queensland since the changes by FFA about domestic football in Australia.

Chairman Thom Kelly sat down with the Sydney Morning Herald to speak about the launch of the new A-League and to talk about football in Queensland. "Down in Brisbane they don't seem to like us that much, we've stolen abit of there thunder so to speak" Kelly commented about Brisbane Roar after a spat between the clubs became public, Kelly says it all goes back to the Managers draft where they stole dutch manager Guus Hiddink from under there noses. "They haven't been happy for awhile, we got Hiddink and the papers in Brisbane said they were furious about it, then we bid for Schwienstieger and guess who outbids us, Brisbane. It's copycat behaviour, they seem slow to re-act to the new dynamics of the league which is unfortunate because we need a good competitive Brisbane for the benefit of the league".

Kelly went on to say "I don't know what there problem is, they've resorted to this smear campaign which is rather NSL really, seems like something that the old Sydney Olympic would do and that's not what we want for the game in Australia. They've gone ultra negative towards the other teams in Queensland and i don't think that sends a good message for the new league, that's not what the A-League is about, we need to embrace each other but keep a good healthy rivalry. It comes across as if Brisbane want to get rid of Sunshine Coast and North Queensland and have all of Queensland to themselves. We're trying to establish ourselves here, we've got a new training facility, we've renovated the stadium, we're making inroads to the North Queensland market that the Fury never got close to and all Brisbane want to do is just smear us, how is that suppose to help football in Queensland and more importantly football in Australia."

Renovated Townsville Stadium by NQIFC

I can't change the teams which qualify for the ACL. It will just be the league and play-off winners which qualify.

I also cant' change the fixtures around, so that will be luck of the draw for you.

but is the 4+1 rule still implemented because with the ACL, if it is then there's not much point to it then

Because of the higher league rep, the quality of the 'grey' players generated for the competition will be higher. Not to mention you'll have the regens in the reserve squad to fall back on combined with the 4-5 players that you picked up in the early draft rounds. You should be able to hold your own in the ACL, albeit that you won't win it.

Doc, I've increased Dairyfarmer stadium to 30k for you.

i too wouldn't mind bellerive oval being upped to about 22,000 if that's okay?

I wouldn't mind Dick's Roast Spatchcock Park being upped to about 110000 if that's OK afro

Continuing the proud tradition of Queensland teams based on a Coast. ;)

BBC sits down one on one with Brisbane Roar chairman.

The rivalry of Queensland seems to be heating up and after some heated words between the chairmen of Brisbane Roar and North Queensland International, NQI responded to all claims made by Roar chairman Ahmed Essof. Today Essof say down with the BBC to respond in person.

BBC: The NQI chairman says you have a smear campaign against other Queensland teams, is this true?
AE: No its not true. We understand what it means for all 3 queensland teams to succeed. We would never run smear campaigns against any Queensland team.

BBC: NQI claim their signing of Guus Hiddink was the catalyst for the war of words, any truth here?
AE: Haha, no not at all. We were interested in Guus, yes, but we knew how in demand he was and always had a backup plan. We never felt that losing out on Guus was a major issue for us.

BBC: Thom Kelly has spoken of the impact NQI are making on the North Queensland community, what is Brisbane doing?
AE: We care just as much about our community. We have been holding free coaching clinics on a weekly basis for all youngsters not in Brisbane central, but on the North and Southsides. Having a charity organisation on our away shirts, shows our commitment to supporting NPO organisations and just how much we care about helping the community. We have also paid for new kit and equipment for 5 schools in the Brisbane area and are looking at funding more. We care about improving the game in Queensland at a grassroots level and care about the community.

BBC: What about the loss of Schweinsteger?
AE: He is a big name player, so the interest was always there. We lost out on him, yes we were dissapointed, but we moved on and got in good players.

BBC: Do you think Brisbane Roar have the best?
AE: I wouldnt say the best. The players are realistic in their expectations. We know we not highly fancied and we happy with that. If we dont win the league, we have not underachieved then. If we do well then we exceed expectations and people can say, maybe their is some talent here. We tried to recruit to the best of our availabilities and we believe we have a good squad.

BBC: New owners, new stadium, new setup, how does it feel?
AE: Its great. As a Zimbabwean expat, to have South African owners is a nice feeling. We get along well and we share the same ambitions. The new stadium is great. It was tough to see Suncorp Stadium go, but we felt that the upgrade was necessary and the board struck deals with the NRL and QRU to setup the stadium. The board has the money and its great.

BBC: The stadium name is an interesting one?
AE: It all stems to the african heritage. Its probably not something the Brisbane people are aware of, but their is a big Southern African population here and they know of it. We have a strong marketing campaign and the message is getting out there.

BBC: Final message for NQI or Sunshine Coast (SCS)
AE: We dont want to run a smear campaign. We know how important it is for all 3 teams to succeed and want to work towards that. We want to work with the two clubs to develop our game and make Queensland that stronghold in Australian football for many years to come. A healthy rivalry is vital though, and we want to keep that going, but we would never do anything to jeapordise NQI or SCS in any way and i look forward to a strong healthy working relationship with both chairmen. I have actually issued an open invite to both the chairmen, manager and some of the players to attend a function at our new stadium.

Sydney: Ajax are favourites to win the Hyundai A-League this season according to former Red and Whites legends Johan Cruijff and Marco van Basten.

Cruijff, a four-time European Cup winner and van Basten, a three-time winner of the European Footballer of the Year are in Sydney, Australia as special guests at Redfern Ajax's inaugural fan day, celebrating their first season as a club.

And talking to ABC News, Cruijff said: "Redfern have specifically not splashed any big money to buy any ‘galactico’ type players. They will rely on the collective aspect of the side, and collectively Redfern will be capable of winning the league, it’s as simple as that. Last year guys like Wesley Sneijder, Mesut Özil and Mario Balotelli all played a key part for their sides overseas. We don't know whether they can do the same this year. We also don't know how good Rafael van der Vaart will be after a long time on the bench, or even Nicklas Bendtner after his long term injury."

Sunshine Coast Sunshine are also tipped by many to have an impact on the title race having acquired some big names over the summer. But Cruijff and van Basten believe Sunshine Coast may need more time before glory arrives at Spatchcock Park. "You can't compare Sunshine Coast Sunshine to Redfern Ajax," said van Basten. "Even before Mr Scouse and Luis Felipe Scolari arrived, there was already a winning mentality at Redfern Ajax. That foundation has not yet been built at Sunshine Coast.”

can i still request stadium names....if so, can i get 3 Kings Park.

Not sure what stadium name i put last time.

Sky Sports:
'So, Mr Rorke, how do you fancy your chances in this years competition?'

Rorke:
I fancy them greatly.

I will be answering no further questions.'

Suncorp stadium not good enough for you?

ABC NEWS
Cruijff First to Go
Johan Cruijff has promptly been sacked from his post as manager of Sutherland FC before he even arrived. Sutherland officials reportedly took offence to his promotion of city rival Refern Ajax. An announcement as to who will be manager for Sutherland FC in the inaugural season of the new A-league will be made in the coming weeks.

Sunshine Coast Sunshine Reveal Home Strip



Sunshine Coast Sunshine have revealed their home strip today, as the other Queensland clubs have engaged in their first mud-slinging ahead of the opening round.

As the Roar and NQI both threw thinly and not-so-thinly veiled insults the way of the A-League's new glamour club, Sunshine players Mario Balotelli and Marek Hamsik were modelling the new strip and filming a promo for their guest appearances on the Daily Show and Colbert Report respectively.

Sunshine Chairman Scouse Roar was present but declined an official interview, stating that 'We're going to do our talking on the field'.

FFA delivers financial deadline to would-be A-League outfit Sydney Rovers

A-League club-in-waiting Sydney Rovers has been given until next week to "show us the money" or they will have their licence to play in next season's competition revoked.

In what is looming as yet another seriously embarrassing situation for, the head body is understood to have issued the ultimatum after running out of patience with the western Sydney consortium.

Rovers have released their playing strip and logo but still don't have a chief executive and backroom staff in place 12 months after they were granted the licence.

The Rowden group had only been formed several months before being granted the licence, leading to questions about how their could be a decision in such a short time with the knowledge the franchise lacked the necessary funding.

Concerns were raised about the haste in which it was done and the seeming lack of transparency, given the other franchises had all put in as much as 18 months' work to get their bids to the final stages.

A spokesman declined to comment on the issue, instead preferring to say:

"Fuck Sutherland. Bunch of pricks. Marconi can go to hell as well. And don't get me started on those rednecks up in the Blue Mountains. Christchurch Athletic better watch themselves. They know why.

Powerful stuff.

FFA Chairman hits back at Scanlon
Staff Writer
FFA chairman Josh Hunt has hit back at AFC Melbourne chairman Kane Scanlon after complaints about the positioning of his tabel in the grand scheme of the domestic football restructuring. Scanlon was reportely incensed that his club had been placed in the second division. When asked about the conflict, Hunt was quoted as saying "He came late to the party, it would be wrong to establish his side in the top flight ahead of clubs that have been involved with, and promoting the growth and development of the league since the beginning."

When asked if this would reflect badly for the club, Hunt replied "I would certainly hope not. The players shouldn't be punished for a foolhardy outburst by the chairman. They should have just as strong a chance of promotion as any this season."

He continued, "I think perhaps Scanlon is misinformed, his complaint that his side had been "shafted" at the expense of teams like West Melbourne is irrelevant when he's competing in the same league as them. And as for missing draft rounds, AFC Melbourne failed to participate in the first 10 draft rounds. His whole outburst to the media is completely unprofessional and unwelcome."

It's believed that Scanlon could face media bans and fines in the future should he continue his outbursts at the 'unjust' league draw which was agonised over for several weeks.