Football NSW TSP Squads Impress at 2025 State of Origin Cup
Football NSW’s Talent Support Program (TSP) squads delivered an impressive showing at the 2025 State of Origin Cup in Queensland, putting in three days of spirited performances that highlighted both individual talent and team cohesion.
The tournament brought together some of the best emerging players from across the country, and Football NSW’s squads rose to the occasion, displaying skill, resilience, and a commitment to the core values of being Adaptable, Brave, and Creative.
Both the NSW Boys Metro and NSW Boys Country squads enjoyed strong group stage campaigns, with Metro topping their group and Country finishing second — setting up an all-NSW clash in the semi-finals.
Metro edged out their Country counterparts in a tightly contested semi to book their spot in the Grand Final. Despite an early red card that made the task even harder, Metro pushed FQ Maroon all the way in the decider, eventually going down 2–1 in a valiant effort.
NSW Boys Country also showed grit and determination in their third-place playoff, narrowly losing 1–0 to FQ Silver after being reduced to ten players early in the match.
On the girls’ side, NSW Girls Metro and NSW Girls Country both demonstrated promising development and competitiveness throughout the tournament.
Girls Country reached the Plate Final, continuing to show their growth and unity as a team. Meanwhile, Girls Metro ended their campaign on a high note, prevailing in a penalty shootout against Northland Rangers to cap off a strong tournament.
A standout mention goes to Jacob Sousa, who finished as Football NSW’s top goalscorer at the tournament, netting five goals, a testament to his sharp attacking instincts and consistent threat in front of goal.
The State of Origin Cup once again underlined the depth and strength of Football NSW’s development pathway, with all TSP squads made up exclusively of players from NPL clubs. The tournament offered a valuable platform for these emerging players to challenge themselves against top-tier opposition.
While the title remains just out of reach, the performances in Queensland have laid a strong foundation for next year’s Emerging Championships.
The experience gained, along with the composure and character shown by all squads, is another positive step forward for Football NSW’s player development journey.
