Football NSW Welcomes Hills Association Zone Following By-Law Amendment
Football NSW advises that the Hills Association Zone is now admitted as a formal member of the Football NSW family, following amendment to the organisation’s By-Laws and Zone boundaries.
The Football NSW Board exercised its authority under Article 3.4 of the Constitution to redraw existing Zone boundaries, formally establishing a new Hills Association Zone in Sydney’s north-west and adjusting the boundaries of the Granville Association Zone accordingly thereby ending the temporal nature of Hills Association’s existence within the Football NSW structure for 9 seasons
These changes were submitted to Football Australia, which has since approved the amendments. As a result, Hills Football is now recognised as the Zone Council for the Hills Association Zone and will be invited to nominate two Registered Voting Members to Football NSW.
This historic move comes after nine years of Hills Football operating within a ‘virtual boundary’ under a deed of affiliation to Football NSW. Since its inception in 2017, Hills Football has registered more than 100,000 players and actively participated in numerous Football NSW and Football Australia initiatives — albeit without the formal right to democratic representation within the Football NSW governance structure.
“By formalising the boundaries of Hills, we are ending the uncertainty that has existed for both Hills and Granville and giving each Association clarity and security for the future It heartens me that both Associations have worked together on joint projects to date and this highlights the value of having good people in Associations who put football first in everything they do,” said Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas.
The newly defined boundary between the Granville and Hills Association Zones is the M2 Motorway, with no other changes made to the existing Association borders as outlined in the By-Laws.
Importantly, no changes will be made to the clubs currently participating in either the Granville or Hills Association competitions. Clubs that utilise grounds located outside their designated Association boundary will be permitted to continue doing so. However, should those grounds be vacated or cease to be used, or should council be minded to grant access to these grounds to other clubs within the home Association the right of use will revert to the Association within whose boundaries the grounds are geographically located.
Football NSW recognises that the process leading to this formalisation has been complex and not without its challenges. The organisation acknowledges the impact this change may have had particularly on the Granville Association and appreciates the patience and understanding shown by all involved throughout this transition.
The creation of the Hills Association Zone marks a significant milestone for community football in NSW, reflecting the sport’s continued growth and the importance of ensuring equitable governance, representation, and clarity for all stakeholders.
