2026 Sporting Schools Term 1 Review
From Playground to Pitch: Sporting Schools Driving Football Participation Across NSW
Term 1 of the Sporting Schools program has brought football back to life in school playgrounds across New South Wales, with 36 programs delivered and students embracing the opportunity to get active, learn new skills, and enjoy the game.
For many participants, these sessions represent a first introduction to football — delivered in a fun, inclusive and pressure-free environment. Importantly, the program has also seen a strong retention rate of 52.78%, with 19 out of 36 schools returning from previous programs. This highlights the growing value and impact of Sporting Schools across NSW.
Beyond participation, the importance of these programs is reinforced by recent insights from Net World Sports, analysing the AusPlay survey (May 2025), which found that 47.6% of Australian children are not regularly playing sport. Initiatives like Sporting Schools are crucial in reversing this trend by meeting young people where they are most comfortable — at school — and making sport accessible again.
Looking ahead, Term 2 is set to expand significantly, with plans to nearly double program delivery and reach more regional communities. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off on 11 June — right in the middle of the school term (22 April – 3 July) — there is no better time for schools to engage students and connect them to the excitement of the global game.
At its core, Sporting Schools is about creating a starting point. A simple introduction at school can lead to joining a local club, building confidence, forming friendships, and developing a lifelong connection to football.
Sign up now and bring football to your school.
Participating Schools – Term 1
- St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School
- York Public School
- Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School
- Thomas Reddall High School
- Macarthur Girls High School
- Taverners Hill Infants School
- St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School
- Kandos Public School
- Bronte Public School
- Heckenberg Public School
- Aspect South Coast School
- Holy Cross Primary School
- Nashdale Public School
- Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School
- Governor Philip King Public School
- Regents Park Public School
- Mount Hunter Public School
- Mater Dei Primary School
- St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School
- Warragamba Public School
- St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School
- Blairmount Public School
- Kingsgrove High School
- Birchgrove Public School
- St Pius X Catholic Primary School
- Batlow Technology School
- St Canice’s Primary School
- East Hills Public School
- St Mary’s Moruya
