Football NSW Freezes Community Registration Fees for Junior and Youth Players in 2027
Football NSW has confirmed a fee freeze for junior and youth community footballers in 2027, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the game accessible and affordable for players and families across New South Wales.
Senior players will also benefit from a modest increase of less than 1.5 per cent, as Football NSW continues to manage rising costs while supporting the growth and development of football across the state.
This puts the fee freeze front and centre, directly supports the headline and clearly communicates the benefit to players and families.
Under the 2027 fee structure, registration fees for junior players aged 5–12 and youth players aged 13–18 will remain unchanged at $54.42, inclusive of GST. Senior registration fees for players aged 19 and above will increase by $1.50, from $106 to $107.50.
Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said maintaining affordability for younger participants and their families remained a key priority for the organisation.
“Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation,” Tsatsimas said.
“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect. For senior players, we have kept the increase to less than 1.5 per cent, well below the rate of inflation.”
Football NSW continues to face inflationary pressures across its direct and indirect operating costs, making it important to balance financial sustainability with the need to keep football affordable for its members.
The Football NSW registration fee comprises two components: an insurance component, which contributes to the cost of the Football NSW Insurance Program, and a capitation component, which supports the organisation’s operations. The insurance component is calculated using claims data, claim values and participation numbers across different categories of football, with the aim of ensuring that each sector contributes its fair share towards the cost of the program.
Following adjustments to its insurance program, Football NSW has secured savings across its total insurance costs. As a result, the insurance component of community registration fees will decrease by 3.11 per cent in 2027. The organisation has also reported that the upward cost trend in the personal accident component of its insurance program has ended, helping to ease pressure on registration fees.
Football NSW will continue working with clubs and associations to identify practical measures to manage risks and address rising public liability costs, with the aim of placing downward pressure on insurance expenses.
For 2027, Football Australia has also consolidated its previous National Registration Fee and PlayFootball service fee into a single charge known as the National Football Development Contribution (NFDC). The contribution will be $22 for junior and youth participants and $49 for senior participants, inclusive of GST.
The NFDC is collected directly by Football Australia at the time of registration and is separate from the Football NSW registration fee. It does not pass through Football NSW or contribute to the organisation’s operating revenue.
The 2027 registration fee structure reflects Football NSW’s ongoing commitment to managing costs responsibly while maintaining the services and support required to grow and develop football throughout the state.
By freezing fees for junior and youth players and limiting the increase for seniors, Football NSW aims to provide greater cost certainty for participants, families, clubs and associations ahead of the 2027 season.
