Ian Maxwell must decide whether to renew the SFA's contract with Hampden Park or consider a move.GETTY IMAGES
Scottish FA CEO Ian Maxwell "insists he will not allow sentiment to cloud" his decision on the future home of the national side. With the governing body's rental agreement for the use of Hampden Park set to expire in '20, a choice will be made in August over "whether to move out" or continue holding int'l matches and "showpiece cup ties" there. Scottish League Two side Queen's Park, which owns the ground, agreed in principle to sell it to the SFA but Maxwell said that "he would not be afraid to choose" Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scottish Rugby (LONDON TIMES, 5/23).
Former Australian Grand Prix Corp. CEO Judith Griggs is "set to lead the working group tasked with resolving Football Federation Australia's governance gridlock." It is understood London-based lawyer Griggs is "in line to become the independent chair of the FFA congress review working group." The eight-member panel settled on Griggs as its preferred candidate, with FIFA's review committee "in the process of conducting an eligibility check" (AAP, 5/24).
Australian gymnastics officials "launched a plan to educate more than 200,000 young athletes on identifying and preventing child sex abuse." It will be the first initiative of its kind in the country. Gymnastics Australia is "teaming up" with child protection agency Bravehearts to provide training and materials for more than 600 affiliated gymnastics clubs and their staff, as well as 220,000 athletes -- 90% of whom are under 12 years old. The training will be mandatory for coaches and officials (RT, 5/23).
Rugby union player Fiao’o Fa'amausili "shelved retirement plans to become one of the first women in the full form of the game to receive national contracts from New Zealand Rugby" on Wednesday. NZR said in March that it would offer retainer contracts worth up to NZ$50,000 ($34,500) to the country's top 30 players in 15-a-side rugby for the first time, "while allowing them to remain employed or in study." Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore said that the prospect of a contract encouraged Fa'amausili "to delay her retirement" (REUTERS, 5/22).
