Football NSW Girls Shine in Opening Round of 2025 NAIDOC Cup
The 2025 NAIDOC Cup kicked off in spirited fashion on Thursday at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen, with Round 1 delivering a mix of highs and lows for Football NSW as they battled Northern NSW Football in the prestigious First Nations tournament.
Held on Guringai Land, the annual tournament celebrates Indigenous culture through football, and once again showcased some of the brightest young talents from across the state.
Girls Lead the Way
Football NSW’s Girls squads started their campaigns in dominant fashion. The Under-14s secured a clinical 3-0 victory over Northern NSW Football with goals from Aya Mohana, Mariyah Hammoud and Markie Robinson getting on the scoresheet, while the Under-16s followed suit with an emphatic 4-0 win. The pick of the goals was a stunning ‘Olimpico’ from Summer Smith. Both sides demonstrated strong cohesion and attacking flair, putting them in a commanding position heading into the final day of competition.
Tough Day for the Boys
In contrast, the Boys teams faced stiff opposition. The Under-14s were edged out 2-0 in a tightly contested match, while the Under-16s struggled to gain momentum, falling to a 5-0 defeat. The teams will be looking to bounce back on Friday as they regroup for the final round.
Silverware on the Line
Friday’s fixtures promise to be decisive, with silverware on the line. Football NSW is chasing its fourth consecutive NAIDOC Cup title, having lifted the trophy in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Fans can catch all the action live via the official Football NSW YouTube channel, as the tournament continues to honour excellence in football and Indigenous culture.
NAIDOC Cup Round 1 Results:
14 Boys: Lost 2-0
14 Girls: Won 3-0
16 Boys: Lost 5-0
16 Girls: Won 4-0
