Former Socceroo joins pre-seed raise as grassroots sports platform expands into the US, UK and Middle East

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : Former Socceroo and Australian football icon Tim Cahill has joined Australian sports technology platform Nardo as an investor and strategic partner, as the company secures a $1 million pre-seed raise to accelerate expansion across the United States, United Kingdom and Middle East.

The investment marks a significant milestone for Nardo, a digital platform modernising how grassroots and semi-professional sports clubs design, manage and order teamwear through a streamlined end-to-end system. Built to replace fragmented, manual and outdated ordering processes, Nardo positions itself as the digital infrastructure layer behind grassroots sport, connecting clubs directly into a global manufacturing network and enabling fully custom teamwear at scale.

For Cahill, the decision to invest reflects a strong alignment with the role grassroots sport plays in the global game. “Grassroots football is where everything starts, it’s the heartbeat of the game globally,” Cahill said. “But for too long, local clubs have been stuck with outdated systems just to get players on the pitch. What Nardo is building gives clubs access to better tools, stronger identity and a far more professional experience.

“What impressed me is that this isn’t just an apparel business, it’s technology solving a real operational problem for clubs. The opportunity globally is massive and I believe Nardo is building something that can genuinely change how grassroots sport operates.”

Cahill added, “It’s a really exciting time to be launching, with all eyes on the World Cup and the Socceroos. I can’t wait to see how the tournament unfolds and join the rest of Australia in cheering them on. At the same time, football starts for all of us down at the local park, and that is where Nardo is going to make a real difference.”

Founded by Beau Catley, co-founder of streetwear label Geedup Co, Nardo began after a chance request from a local sports club exposed major inefficiencies within traditional teamwear supply chains. What followed was a complete rethink of how grassroots clubs source, customise and manage teamwear.Over time, Catley worked directly with grassroots and semi-professional clubs across football and rugby league to map the full end-to-end process, from design and sampling through to production and delivery, before partnering with co-founders Rhys Adams and Adam Famularo to scale the concept into a global technology business.

“The issue was never just the product, it was the entire operating model,” Catley said. “Clubs were navigating fragmented suppliers, unclear pricing and manual processes that created friction at every stage. We built Nardo to simplify the entire experience and give clubs one connected system from design through to delivery.”

Nardo Experience, the company’s core platform, enables clubs to:

● Generate fully custom apparel ranges

● Build digital lookbooks and order collections

● Access live pricing and quoting

● Manage approvals and sampling workflows

● Track production and delivery in real time

The platform replaces a traditionally manual process involving more than 130 separate touchpoints, consolidating it into a single digital workflow purpose-built for sports organisations.

Rather than operating as a traditional apparel supplier, Nardo connects clubs directly into a global manufacturing network, unlocking greater customisation, faster turnaround times and improved cost efficiency.

The United States has emerged as a major growth market due to the scale of its youth and grassroots sports ecosystem, alongside growing demand for custom team identity and more efficient operational systems. The company is also seeing early traction across the United Kingdom, Canada and the Middle East. Nardo is currently managing a growing pipeline of clubs preparing to onboard ahead of broader international rollout.

“This is about modernising the infrastructure behind grassroots sport,” Catley said. “Professional clubs have had access to world-class systems, branding and operational support for years. Grassroots clubs deserve that same experience.”

Teams and clubs can head to www.nardo-exp.com to join the waitlist to be one of the first on the platform.

About Nardo

Nardo is a design, procurement and apparel management platform purpose-built for grassroots and semi-professional sport. The company operates at the intersection of sport, apparel, design systems, supply chain and technology, connecting clubs into a global manufacturing network through its proprietary Nardo Experience platform. Nardo enables clubs to design, manage and order fully custom teamwear through a streamlined digital system that integrates live pricing, design tools, approvals and production tracking. Founded by Beau Catley alongside co-founders Rhys Adams and Adam Famularo, Nardo is building the infrastructure layer for modern teamwear, with a mission to reimagine how sport organisations access, design and manage apparel at scale.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Six members of the same family, including two current students and two employees of the Muscatine Community School District, were killed in a domestic shooting Monday afternoon in this eastern Iowa city, authorities said, with the suspected gunman later found dead from a self-inflicted wound.

Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies identified the suspect as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine. Officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a home on Park Avenue around noon and found four victims dead from gunshot wounds. Additional victims were later discovered at separate locations in the 1500 block of Mill Street and the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.

“All six victims are believed to be related to the suspect,” Kies said during an evening news conference. The chief described the incident as a domestic matter and confirmed McFarland fatally shot himself while speaking with police near the riverfront pedestrian bridge.

The Muscatine Community School District confirmed in a statement that two of the victims were current students and two were district employees. “It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family,” the district said. Counselors and support resources will be available starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday at multiple schools, including Muscatine High School, Susan Clark Junior High, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary and Franklin Elementary.

No further details about the victims’ identities have been released pending notification of next of kin. The investigation remains active, with assistance from the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Rapid Police Response and Multiple Crime Scenes

Police were initially called to the Park Avenue residence, where four people were found dead. During the investigation, officers learned there might be additional victims. A man was found dead from gunshot wounds inside a home in the 1500 block of Mill Street, and another man was discovered in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.

Kies said the suspect fled the initial scene and was later located on Riverfront Trail. He fatally shot himself during an encounter with officers. No officers were injured.

The department urged the public to avoid the riverfront area near Park Avenue during the active response. Multiple crime scenes were processed throughout the afternoon and evening, with detectives conducting witness interviews and collecting evidence.

“Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Lt. David O’Connor of the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 563-263-9922, extension 608,” the department said. Callers may remain anonymous.

Community Mourning and School District Response

The shooting has deeply shaken the small city of Muscatine, located along the Mississippi River about 30 miles west of the Quad Cities. The involvement of school district employees and students has prompted an immediate response from local education officials.

The district’s statement emphasized support for students, staff and families. “Counselors and support resources will be available starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday,” it said, listing several school locations where assistance would be provided.

Local leaders expressed sorrow and called for community unity. The incident marks a rare outbreak of violence in a city known for its manufacturing base and tight-knit neighborhoods. Muscatine County Emergency Management urged residents to avoid the affected areas during the active investigation.

Broader Context of Domestic Violence in Iowa

Domestic incidents remain a significant concern in Iowa and across the Midwest. According to state statistics, domestic violence calls represent a substantial portion of law enforcement responses each year. While mass casualty domestic shootings are uncommon, they highlight the potential lethality of unresolved family conflicts when firearms are present.

Iowa law enforcement agencies have increased focus on domestic violence prevention and early intervention programs. The Iowa Department of Public Health and local organizations provide resources for victims and families, including crisis hotlines and counseling services.

The Muscatine shooting comes amid national discussions about gun violence, mental health and domestic safety. While officials have not released information about a possible motive or prior incidents involving the suspect, the case underscores the importance of community awareness and support systems for at-risk families.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting with forensic processing at the multiple scenes. Autopsies are expected to be conducted in the coming days to determine exact causes of death.

Authorities have not released additional details about the victims or the suspect’s background, citing the active nature of the investigation. No charges have been filed, as the suspect is deceased.

The community is expected to come together in the days ahead for vigils and support events. Local churches and organizations have already begun offering counseling and resources for residents affected by the tragedy.

Muscatine, with a population of approximately 23,000, is known for its manufacturing industry and Mississippi Riverfront. The shooting has disrupted the normally quiet pace of life in this eastern Iowa city, leaving residents searching for answers and comfort.

As the investigation continues, police have asked for patience from the public. “This is a tragic and complex situation,” Chief Kies said. “Our thoughts are with the families and the entire community as we work to understand what happened.”

The Muscatine Police Department and partner agencies will provide updates as more information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on supporting those affected and ensuring the safety of the community.

The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the impact of domestic violence and the importance of mental health resources. Local organizations are encouraging anyone in need of support to reach out to available crisis services.

As Muscatine begins the healing process, the loss of six family members, including children and educators, has left an indelible mark on the community. The coming days will likely bring more details as investigators piece together the sequence of events.

For the families involved and the broader Muscatine community, the road to recovery will be long. Support from neighboring areas and state resources will be crucial in the weeks and months ahead.

According to a CNBC TV-18 report, the search operations were carried out regarding the royalty payment made by Vedanta Ltd to its parent company Vedanta Resources.

The stock has been in the spotlight through May after it began trading adjusted for the demerger of its Aluminium, Oil & Gas, Power, and Iron & Steel businesses.

Vedanta announced in April that every eligible shareholder would receive one share each of Vedanta Aluminium Metal (VAML), Talwandi Sabo Power (to be renamed Vedanta Power), Malco Energy (to be renamed Vedanta Oil and Gas) and Vedanta Iron and Steel for every share held in the parent company, marking one of the biggest corporate restructurings in India’s metals and mining sector.

Vedanta shares adjusted for the mega demerger at the end of the month, appearing to have crashed more than 63% in one single day. The stock then recorded sharp gains. While the eligible shareholders can continue trading Vedanta stock, the value attributable to these new entities is currently in price-discovery limbo, from the record date until their listings, since investors cannot trade them yet, even as Vedanta’s share price has already adjusted lower post-demerger.

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Last week, ICRA upgraded Vedanta’s long-term rating to AA+ (Stable), assigned a stable outlook and reaffirmed the short-term rating. “The rating action factors in ICRA’s expectation of a further strengthening in the credit profile of the Vedanta Group in FY2027, building on the considerable improvement witnessed in FY2026. This has been supported by a sharp increase in base metal prices, which has contributed to a strong financial risk profile for the Group, which reported an OPBDITA of $6.7 billion in FY2026,” the ratings agency said.
Post-demerger, ICRA expects the relatively stronger cash-generating entities within the Vedanta group to support the dividend requirements, with the flexibility to fund them from other group entities as well. ICRA also expects that the intra-group support among entities in the conglomerate will continue, if required. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)