Excitement levels on a high as Ferguson and NSFA prepare for kick-off

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Northern Suburbs Football Association CEO Ed Ferguson has welcomed the restart of the Community Football season as the sport prepares to reboot this weekend.

Well known for being the youngest CEO to represent our passionate Associations in NSW, the 27-year-old couldn’t hide his delight with the restart of our beautiful game.

“It’s the moment the entire football community has been waiting patiently for over 3 months.

“After a false start in March, our players, coaches, referees and parents are raring to go and looking forward to being back out competing with one another and joining their friends in playing the sport they love.

“The excitement spans far beyond the match-day field with our online coaching courses, referee courses and volunteer meetings showing the commitment and eagerness to get involved once again.”

Ferguson was appreciative of the NSFA Board as well as his staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and praised their commitment towards the game.

“Once again I am lucky to be surrounded by like-minded and passionate people that assisted in what were tough periods.

“The Board have been fantastic ensuring the safety of our community, not just with the NSFA but the whole of the Northern Suburbs region of Sydney comes first.

“We made the decision to suspend football a few days prior to FFA in a bid to ensure our community remains safe. This type of thinking, proactive nature and responsibility has continued throughout the pandemic allowing Clubs and our 16,000+ members to feel safe when returning to play.

“The NSFA Board also went above and beyond by ensuring all NSFA staff, including casual coaches under our banner were looked after during the pandemic. This type of commitment to our region and the people within truly shows their true colours and I could not be prouder to be involved in an organisation that is led in such a way.”

With all NSFA matches kicking off this weekend and finals planned for the 4th of October, Ferguson also highlighted the important role clubs and their volunteers played in ensuring all new ‘Return to Football’ guidelines were met, labeling them the best in Australia.

“To say the NSFA Clubs and their volunteer teams are the best in Australia would be bias….and I’ll stick by it.

“Every Club has been superb. I am fortunate to lead and be led by passionate, committed, and enthusiastic volunteers that have approached COVID-19 in a calm, composed and caring manner.

“The guidelines and requirements thrust onto our volunteers was no easy task to complete, however their willingness to have players back on the park in a safe environment shined through. I cannot fault my community and I’m looking forward to sharing stories of this weekend’s success’ and the satisfaction all football lovers feel when watching people on the park.”

As is the case for so many of our associations, the upgrade and need of more facilities was certainly high on the NSFA and Ferguson’s list as their 16,000 plus participants prepare to hit their respective football pitches this weekend.

“We are busting at the seams.

“We are thankfully not in a position yet like the Sutherland Shire with capacity having been met, however we expect to hit this point within the next 10 years and therefore targeted strategic facilities investment will be key to ensure our community can continue to participate in the sport they love.

“We are currently developing our NSFA Facilities Strategy to clearly outline our future direction, what’s needed and the support required from our five local councils and various MP’s.

“The NSFA region is sport loving and football loving.

“We hope to work with councils, MP’s and individuals that share our passion on improving the region and supporting our members.”