Football NSW Delivers Record Growth Through Sporting Schools Program
Football NSW has recorded a landmark year in 2025 through the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools Program, cementing football’s position as the leading sport delivered in schools across New South Wales.
The Sporting Schools Program is a government-funded initiative designed to increase children’s participation in sport and strengthen connections between schools and community sporting organisations. Delivered nationally in partnership with more than 40 sporting bodies, the program provides schools with grants and resources to deliver engaging, high-quality sporting experiences.
In 2025, Football NSW was established as the preferred football program provider in New South Wales, enabling significant expansion in reach, workforce development, and program quality. This milestone has supported the delivery of consistent, inclusive football experiences while promoting healthy, active lifestyles and fostering a lifelong love of the game.
Across the year, Football NSW delivered 180 coach-led programs and 50 teacher-led programs, accounting for 3,186 hours and 133 days of football in schools. Participation levels were strong, with 17,119 students engaged through coach-delivered programs and 7,568 students through teacher-delivered programs.
Workforce development remained a key focus, with 50 new coaches onboarded and five coaching courses delivered to strengthen technical knowledge, safeguarding practices, and session delivery aligned with Football Australia and Football NSW standards. These efforts directly improved consistency, confidence, and program quality across all school-based initiatives.
The program also benefited from strong collaboration with local football associations, which played a vital role in delivering Sporting Schools programs through their own coaches.
Highlighting its national impact, football was recognised as the number one Sporting Schools provider in Australia in Term 2, 2025.
Sporting Schools football sessions are designed to be fun, inclusive, and introductory, aligned with the MiniRoos philosophy and Australian Curriculum, while providing clear pathways into community football.
With continued opportunities including women’s and girls’ clinics, futsal programs, coach education, and school support initiatives, Football NSW is well positioned and ready to kick off 2026 with even greater momentum.
