Football NSW and Sydney Civil announce two-year partnership to support First Nations football pathways

Football NSW is proud to announce a two-year partnership with Sydney Civil as its Official First Nations Partner, supporting First Nations participation and development opportunities across the game.

Sydney Civil is a Sydney-based civil engineering company with a strong commitment to reconciliation and building respectful relationships, fostering understanding and creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This commitment is demonstrated through Sydney Civil’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), released in January 2026.

With a shared passion for creating meaningful, long-term partnerships that support First Nations participation and provide opportunities for young people through sport, Sydney Civil will support a number of Football NSW First Nations initiatives over the next two years.

As part of the partnership, Sydney Civil will become the Major Partner of the Football NSW NAIDOC Cup teams, with its logo featuring on the back of the team jerseys.

The NAIDOC Cup provides a meaningful representative pathway for First Nations footballers from across NSW, while celebrating culture, connection and community through football.

First Nations footballers aged 13 to 16 are selected in Football NSW First Nations State Teams to compete against First Nations State Teams from Northern NSW Football, providing young players with an opportunity to represent their state and further develop through the game.

Sydney Civil will also present the Sydney Civil First Nations Coaching Scholarship Program, delivered in collaboration with Football NSW. The program aims to reduce barriers to participation and provide increased development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coaches seeking to progress through elite coaching pathways.

Reflecting on the importance of the partnership and the opportunities it will create for players and coaches, Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said.

“We are delighted to welcome Sydney Civil as Football NSW’s Official First Nations Partner for the next two years. Their commitment to reconciliation and creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aligns strongly with our own commitment to using football as a vehicle for connection, participation and opportunity.

“The NAIDOC Cup and First Nations Coaching Scholarship Program provide important pathways for players and coaches, and this partnership will help us strengthen and expand those opportunities. We look forward to working closely with Sydney Civil to create a lasting impact both on and off the football field.”

For Sydney Civil, the partnership represents an opportunity to turn its commitment to reconciliation into meaningful initiatives that support participation and development through football. Sydney Civil CEO Adrian Mourad said.

“Sydney Civil is proud to partner with Football NSW to support First Nations players and coaches over the next two years. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities through sport, supporting development pathways and celebrating culture, connection and community.

“We look forward to working alongside Football NSW through the NAIDOC Cup and the Sydney Civil First Nations Coaching Scholarship Program to help create a positive and lasting impact for First Nations football.”