Historic Honour for Central Coast Football in Mudgee

Central Coast Football has etched its name into Football NSW history after being crowned the inaugural Football NSW Deploy Association Champion following a memorable in Mudgee.

The prestigious award recognises the association that accumulated the highest average Championship points across all its competing teams, highlighting not only success on the field but consistency throughout the tournament.

Central Coast’s triumph was underpinned by championship victories in the 13 Boys and 15 Girls divisions, while every team proudly represented the region across a week of high-quality football at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex.

For Central Coast Football CEO Alex Burgin, the achievement represents far more than silverware.

“It means a great deal, but not for the reasons people might expect,” Burgin said.

“At the heart of it, grassroots kids are why we do what we do. To see them travel to Mudgee, represent their region and succeed on that stage is exactly what this is all about.

“The award is a lovely recognition, but watching those players enjoy the experience is the real reward.”

While lifting two Championship trophies was a fitting reward for a successful campaign, Burgin believes the association’s greatest achievement was the culture displayed by every team throughout the week.

“I’m very proud, though what I’m most happy with is the way we approached the week both on and off the field,” he said.

“Our success came from humility and perseverance, from players and teams who kept turning up, kept working and never got ahead of themselves. The vibes were high all week, and we truly saw new friendships formed.”

The association’s 13 Boys and 15 Girls squads both produced outstanding performances to claim their respective titles, but Burgin said the results were only part of the story.

“The culture, without question,” he said when asked what impressed him most about the two championship-winning teams.

“On and off the field, our coaches led with team building and development first, and it showed in how those squads carried themselves.

“We played every single player in the squad equal game time – a true development opportunity for everyone involved. The trophies were a wonderful outcome, but it was the environment they created around the football that impressed us most.”

The inaugural Football NSW Deploy Association Championships were designed to provide players with a meaningful representative experience, and Burgin believes the tournament has become an invaluable part of the player development pathway.

“A tournament like this gives our players a genuine representative pathway and a chance to test themselves against the best in the state,” he said.

“For a lot of these kids it is a formative experience, and development, not just results, is what we want them taking home from it.”

The Championships also gave players the opportunity to build friendships with teammates while experiencing football in a unique regional setting.

“Off the field, it reinforced the value of the culture we try to build,” Burgin said.

“Our teams went about their week with humility and respect, and that is something you cannot coach into a group overnight.

“On the field, the standard across the associations was terrific, and it gave our players a real sense of where they sit and what is possible when they represent the Coast.”

As the celebrations continue, Burgin was quick to acknowledge the people who helped make Central Coast Football’s historic achievement possible.

“Firstly, thank you to our coaches who gave so much of their time, to Pete, our Coach Education Manager, and to all the parents who supported their kids and travelled to Mudgee—none of this happens without you,” he said.

“To the players, be proud of how you represented the Coast, and remember it was the way you went about it that made the week so special. Enjoy it and let it be a springboard for what comes next.”

Central Coast Football’s historic achievement not only delivered two Championship trophies and the inaugural Football NSW Deploy Association Champion title, but also showcased the values of teamwork, humility and player development that were at the heart of a successful first edition of the Football NSW Deploy Association Championships.

With the Championships set to return to Mudgee in 2027, Central Coast Football has established the benchmark for future associations to aspire to.