New Matildas coach wants more backing for A-League after CBA windfall
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has called for more support for A-League Women after Football Australia announced a multi-million dollar deal with Commonwealth Bank to support the game at all levels for the next six years.
Already the naming rights sponsor of the Matildas, the deal will see the Commonwealth Bank become the major sponsor of the Socceroos as well, along with the ParaRoos, ParaMatildas and emerging national sides. FA had announced earlier this week that Subway would cease to be the Socceroos' major sponsor in August.
Montemurro took over earlier this month from interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, who said in May domestic football in Australia needed 'significant improvement in its professionalism.'
'You always want more support in any scenario, it's a given,' Montemurro said. 'The reality is that the A-League is the league that it is and there is a focus on clubs now to really understand the sustainable structures in place in terms of how they're developing players.'
Montemurro built his coaching career in Australia, notably with Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, before moving to European giants Arsenal, Juventus and most recently Lyon in France.
He is confident that as domestic football grows in professionalism, it will build a stronger talent pipeline ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.
'There's an example of Melbourne City which I was involved in, going all the way through in the Asian Champions League,' Montemurro said. 'So now these clubs have a bit of a name, and I suppose a direction on where they need to go.
'But more importantly, we need to now link the development [of the clubs] with the national team – start thinking, 'If we are a developing nation in terms of a league, then let's start to identify some players for the next generation and the generations to come.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
ASX slips on Thursday on weaker than expected job figures
Commonwealth Bank closed at a record high on Thursday, but it was not enough to lift the broader market as weaker than expected job figures and fears of the possibility the US would strike Iran weighed on the local market. The ASX 200 closed marginally lower for the third straight day down 7.50 points or 0.09 per cent to 8,523.70. The broader All Ordinaries also finished down on Thursday, dropping 16.50 points or 0.19 per cent to 8,741.40. Australia's dollar slumped 0.66 per cent against the US dollar and is now buying 64.64 US cents. Seven of the 11 sectors were lower with large falls in materials, information technology and utilities offsetting strong gains out of the financials and consumer discretionary sectors. Shares in Australia's largest lender CBA soared during early trading as high as $183.23 before settling at $182.85. This beat the previous record close of $182. NAB shares also finished heavily in the green up 1.06 per cent to $39.12, Westpac soared 1.73 per cent to $33.59 and ANZ jumped 0.31 per cent to $29.13. Offsetting a bounce in the financials were falls in the materials sector. BHP slumped 1.98 per cent to $36.13, Rio Tinto sank 2.31 per cent to $103.55 and Fortescue decreased 1.73 per cent to $14.77. Gold miners also slipped after a strong run with Northern Star Resources falling 0.97 per cent to $20.38 and Evolution Mining plunged 4.54 per cent to $7.78. The market seesawed throughout Thursday's trading and was up slightly before the announcement of Australia's job figures. In a surprise to the market, 2500 fewer Australians were employed in May compared to April. Betashare chief economist David Bassanese said Thursday's employment data was no smoking gun for a rate cut. 'My base case remains that the RBA will hold fire on rates until the release of the June quarter CPI in late July,' he said. 'If the result confirms a continued decline in trimmed mean inflation to 2.6 per cent in line with RBA expectations, the RBA will likely cut policy rate by 0.25 per cent in August – so households may just need to wait another few weeks for further mortgage relief.' The market also traded lower on fears as to whether the US would strike Iran, a move that Tehran warns would lead to retaliation on US interests in the area. 'I may do it, I may not do it,' US President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House. 'I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' In company news fashion retailer KMD Brands which owns Kathmandu and Rip Curl fell 3.77 per cent to $0.26 after telling the market warmer autumn weather had a negative impact on sales. WiseTech Global shares also fell 1.87 per cent to $106.89 on the back of news directors Charles Gibbon and Michael Gregg would leave the board.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Closing Bell: ASX bets on July rate cut as employment data lands
Markets pricing a 78pc chance of rate cut following labour data Unemployment levels remained steady ASX dips on broad weakness in tech, resources and healthcare stocks The ASX ended up in negative territory this afternoon, but not by much (-0.09%). It wasn't the worst performance, considering how many headwinds global markets are dealing with at present. There's the lingering threat of more tariffs from the US alongside the more pointed tension between China and America, the four-year saga of the war between Ukraine and Russia, and now the Israel-Iran conflict has turned up the heat even more. In that context, losing just 0.48% over the last five trading days doesn't sound too bad. Financials, and particularly the seven big banking stocks on our ASX200 Banks index, were the bright spot in today's subdued market. They couldn't outweigh falls in info tech, materials, utilities and healthcare, but Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) added 1.48%, NAB (ASX:NAB) 1% and Westpac (ASX:WBC) 1.7%. The All Ords Gold index was an anchor for the ASX, shedding 1.79% and dragging the 200 Resources and Small Ords down with it. Bets on for July rate cut as employment remains steady The ABS released its Labour Force Australia survey today, revealing unemployment levels have largely remained steady in May. Looking at the seasonally adjusted numbers, both the participation and underemployment rate fell slightly, down just 0.1 point, but the overall number of unemployed people fell by about 2,600 individuals, or 0.4%. Analysts say that's about as expected, as the past 12 months of strong job uptake levels out to more average numbers. "Looking ahead, the labour market's strong run over the past 12 months will slowly fade. Global uncertainty is clouding business decisions and prompting many firms to temper hiring plans," Oxford Economics Australia economist Kar Chong Low told the ABC. Bloomberg's numbers say traders reckon this is a green light for another interest rate cut in the RBA's July meeting, with the market pricing a 78% chance. Going by historical correlation, if the market sentiment stays that high right up until the meeting day, a cut is as close to certain as anything can be in this economy. ASX SMALL CAP LEADERS Today's best performing small cap stocks: Security Name Last % Change Volume Market Cap ATX Amplia Therapeutics 0.23 184% 60634193 $31,424,166 PRX Prodigy Gold NL 0.002 100% 3299814 $3,175,056 SFG Seafarms Group Ltd 0.002 100% 191757 $4,836,599 RPG Raptis Group Limited 0.16 67% 529504 $16,832,873 NHE Nobleheliumlimited 0.019 58% 5390085 $7,194,300 CCO The Calmer Co Int 0.003 50% 3661014 $6,022,707 FTC Fintech Chain Ltd 0.003 50% 167980 $1,301,539 ALM Alma Metals Ltd 0.004 33% 491861 $4,759,036 CTN Catalina Resources 0.004 33% 285724 $7,278,057 SRN Surefire Rescs NL 0.002 33% 5592144 $3,729,668 AHN Athena Resources 0.0065 30% 10001178 $11,329,785 HPC Thehydration 0.013 30% 2783892 $3,833,009 SCP Scalare Partners 0.13 30% 29521 $4,183,502 CP8 Canphosphateltd 0.04 29% 234815 $9,509,576 ALR Altairminerals 0.0025 25% 3717714 $8,593,488 AU1 The Agency Group Aus 0.02 25% 1341209 $7,033,225 OEL Otto Energy Limited 0.005 25% 1332565 $19,180,039 OKJ Oakajee Corp Ltd 0.02 25% 60000 $1,463,136 OMG OMG Group Limited 0.005 25% 1318028 $2,913,180 OVT Ovanti Limited 0.0025 25% 156524 $6,011,030 REZ Resourc & En Grp Ltd 0.02 25% 1124092 $10,746,226 ROG Red Sky Energy. 0.005 25% 2050000 $21,688,909 ELS Elsight Ltd 1.335 22% 1220702 $198,097,920 IFG Infocusgroup Hldltd 0.011 22% 12471483 $2,483,656 MQR Marquee Resource Ltd 0.011 22% 1914418 $5,024,723 Making news… Amplia Therapeutics (ASX:ATX) has achieved a second complete response in its 55-patient Accent trial evaluating FAK inhibitor narmafotinib in combination with chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer. It's big news, as complete responses are very rare in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. A complete response (CR) means a disappearance of all tumour lesions has been maintained for more than two months. A seminal study demonstrating the effect of chemotherapies gemcitabine and Abraxane in advanced pancreatic cancer reported only one complete response out of 431 patients. Peak Minerals (ASX:PUA) reckons it's sitting on a monazite-heavy mineral assemblage at Minta Est, part of the Minta rutile project in Cameroon. The company's sampling has revealed monazite content levels of up to 73%, alongside 35% rutile and 28% zircon. Monazite is valued at about 3-fold rutile and zircon, offering a potentially lucrative opportunity. PUA also averaged 2.4% heavy mineral content over 47 drill holes covering 121 square kilometres, with every hole returning mineralisation. Surefire Resources (ASX:SRN) has kicked off 5,000m of drilling at its Yidby gold project in WA, looking to expand the project's gold footprint. The drill bit will also be testing new targets at the Fender and Marshall prospects and an extensive gold geochemical anomaly at the Money target, which will feel the drill's bite for the first time. Hydralite, better known as The Hydration Pharmaceuticals Company (ASX:HPC) on the ASX raked in US$308k in unaudited sales for the month of May, up 34% on April and 18% on May last year. It's a milestone for the company as the highest monthly total for the 2025 FY, underpinned by gross margins of 66.5%. Resources & Energy Group (ASX:REZ) is poised to receive a cash injection of $1 million and 33 million QMines (ASX:QML) shares after getting the green light for the sale of the Mount Mackenzie gold project from due diligence teams. The shares will be voluntarily be held in escrow for 12 months, offering REZ upside to whatever QML finds at Mount Mackenzie through its new share holding in the company. ASX SMALL CAP LAGGARDS Today's worst performing small cap stocks: Security Name Last % Change Volume Market Cap AFA ASF Group Limited 0.004 -33% 91846 $4,754,385 AXP AXP Energy Ltd 0.001 -33% 161237 $10,027,021 LNR Lanthanein Resources 0.001 -33% 5463026 $4,215,272 TKL Traka Resources 0.001 -33% 1320000 $3,188,685 AMI Aurelia Metals Ltd 0.2175 -29% 64448869 $516,234,655 BLU Blue Energy Limited 0.005 -29% 4258787 $12,956,815 VN8 Vonex Limited. 0.018 -28% 591400 $18,815,088 EEL Enrg Elements Ltd 0.0015 -25% 40307965 $6,507,557 BAS Bass Oil Ltd 0.023 -23% 4933335 $8,714,251 PGY Pilot Energy Ltd 0.006 -20% 10175643 $16,189,950 FAU First Au Ltd 0.004 -20% 2592000 $10,359,966 LU7 Lithium Universe Ltd 0.008 -20% 10180704 $7,859,796 MMR Mec Resources 0.004 -20% 271460 $9,248,829 RLG Roolife Group Ltd 0.004 -20% 142376 $7,963,906 NUC Nuchev Limited 0.185 -18% 68794 $32,926,343 PNT Panthermetalsltd 0.014 -18% 3023033 $5,115,377 AJL AJ Lucas Group 0.005 -17% 3000000 $8,254,378 DGR DGR Global Ltd 0.005 -17% 598401 $6,262,176 GLL Galilee Energy Ltd 0.005 -17% 2818092 $4,243,157 OLI Oliver'S Real Food 0.005 -17% 279999 $3,244,392 PVT Pivotal Metals Ltd 0.01 -17% 13339185 $10,886,711 LMG Latrobe Magnesium 0.008 -16% 4544607 $24,952,605 MEK Meeka Metals Limited 0.1475 -16% 49351910 $440,248,405 AVD Avada Group Limited 0.11 -15% 746 $11,041,553 CR3 Core Energy Minerals 0.011 -15% 1347637 $5,133,013 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ADX Energy (ASX:ADX) has progressed its shallow gas ambitions in Austria with the maturing of seven prospects to drill-ready status. The prospects hold mean prospective resources totalling 29 billion cubic feet of gas. EZZ Life Science (ASX:EZZ) has officially entered the US with four new supplements under its new brand, EZZDAY. TRADING HALTS African Gold Ltd (ASX:A1G) – resource upgrade Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX:AGE) – cap raise Estrella Resources Ltd (ASX:ESR) – exploration update Microba Life Sciences Ltd (ASX:MAP) – cap raise Prominence Energy Ltd (ASX:PRM) – acquisition & cap raise Universal Biosensors Inc (ASX:UBI) – cap raise Magellan Asset Management (AASF) – operational issues Savana US Small Caps Active ETF (ASX:SVNP) – IT/maker disruptions At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While ADX Energy and EZZ Life Science are a Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
CommBank to sponsor Socceroos as well as Matildas
Football Australia has confirmed that CommBank will become the FIFA World Cup-bound Socceroos' new naming rights sponsor as part of the financial institution's growing investment in the sport. Already the main backer of the Matildas, CommBank will take over from Subway as the Socceroos' major sponsor in September. It's part of a new six-year deal, reportedly worth between $10m and $15m each year, that will result in the bank becoming FA's major sponsor at all levels. The FIFA World Cup-bound Socceroos have secured a new naming rights sponsor. Picture:'We are beyond delighted to take this next step in our relationship with CommBank and continue with our joint purpose of creating a game that is accessible to and loved by all Australians,' FA's interim chief executive officer Heather Garriock said. 'CommBank have been incredible partners since 2021. In the four years since, we have together taken the women's and para games from strength to strength, and we cannot wait to extend this success into other programs.' The sponsorship will also result in CommBank's naming rights scope expanding to the Olyroos, the Young Socceroos and the Joeys. CommBank chief executive Matt Comyn, said: 'With the Socceroos facing the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Matildas preparing for the Australia-hosted AFC Women's Asian Cup, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of football in Australia.'
