Football was certainly the winner at the 2022 Bathurst Cup as a record breaking 89 teams competed in the two-day annual pre-season tournament for the Under 13’s to 18’s at the Proctor Park/Police Paddock Complex with Blacktown Spartans, Manly Warringah FA, local Sutherland FA side Grays Point FC and Hills United in two age groups being crowned winners in their respective age groups.
In the tournaments results it was Hills United FC who took out opening honours the Under 13s category with a 2-1 win over Belconnen United FC from Capital Football.
Blacktown Spartans denied Hills United FC the double in the Under 14’s, claiming victory through a a thrilling penalty shoot-out after regular time and golden goal could not separate both teams.
In the Under 15’s, Manly Warringah FA landed the big prize via the penalty shoot-out coming out on top over the South Coast Flame FC after trailing for most of the match in regular time.
While it was a Bathurst Cup to savior for Hills United FC as they did get their second Championship for the weekend in the Under 16s, defeating Nepean FC in a very tight contest with a 1-0 win.
In the new Under 18’s age group it was a huge moment for local Sutherland FA side Grays Point FC who defied the odds and produced an amazing result defeating Nepean FC in the final on penalties to send the title to an Association club.
Football NSW development manager of regional football Andrew Fearnley said the Bathurst Cup was a great opportunity for clubs to finalise their pre-season preparations.
“It was a great opportunity for so many teams to be able to play a number of matches against teams that they wouldn’t normally play in their regular season,” said Fearnley.
“It was another great opportunity for us to look at regional players from the regional teams as well.
“It’s a competition that has grown to a considerable size and most teams use it for their pre-season preparations plus it’s also a good event to play good football in.”
Former Socceroo Nathan Burns, originally from Blayney was also on hand to witness the two-day tournament at the complex he developed at as a youngster growing up.
“The Bathurst Cup provided a great opportunity for such a quality range of different teams to compete in at a great facility I remember vividly during my development stages as a footballer.”
This weekend will see the Girls in action as clubs from across NSW and beyond will descend to take part in the 2022 annual Proctor Park Challenge.
Results
