Football NSW crowned 2024 National Para Football Champions

Football NSW has claimed its sixteenth successive National Para Football Championship title at the tournament defeating Football West 3-1 at the AIS in Canberra on Saturday.

Individual awards were presented following the final whistle with Football NSW lifting the National Para Football Championships trophy for the eighteenth time in the competition’s history.

NSW DEFEND NATIONAL PARA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLE

Football NSW claimed the Gold Medal at the 2024 National Para Football Championships after overcoming a determined Football West side, 3-1.

With the stands packed, spectators were treated to a tense and fiery contest, as the two top teams fought for every inch in a match truly worthy of a Final.

The standout was CommBank Pararoo and Football NSW dynamo Daniel Campbell, whose strike power made the difference, scoring all three of NSW’s goals and consistently testing Football West’s defence throughout the match.

Football West continued pressing, with Connor Bunce narrowing the deficit to one goal just before half-time. Daniel Campbell’s third goal came shortly after the second half resumed and proved to be the decisive moment, despite Football West fighting until the last second.

With over 70 caps for the CommBank Pararoos, Football NSW captain Ben Atkins-Illek, a veteran of CP Football in Australia, called this victory the sweetest he’s experienced.

“It’s an incredible feeling right now. It gets harder each year, WA put up a really good fight today. This is probably the hardest one we’ve ever won,” Atkins-Illek said.

“We had to be confident against WA and take our chances when they came. They (Football West) really gave us a good game today.

“Winning the Para Nationals becomes more meaningful each year, especially as I get a bit older and enter the later part of my career. It’s even more special watching the young players come through.”

NATIONAL PARA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 AWARD WINNERS

• FT1 of the Tournament: Rafferty Bacon (Football West)
• FT2 of the Tournament: Connor Bunce (Football West)
• FT3 of the Tournament: Daniel Campbell (Football NSW)
• Golden Glove: Christian Tsangas (Football VIC)
• Golden Boot: Giacomo Izzo (Football West)
• Young player of the Tournament: Giacomo Izzo (Football West)
• Female player of the Tournament: Katelyn Smith (Northern NSW Football)
• Bronze Medal player of the match: Christian Bitsikas (Football VIC)
• George Tonna Medal (Gold Medal player of the match): Will McGrath (Football NSW)

FINAL STANDINGS | NATIONAL PARA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 | AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT, CANBERRA, ACT