Four Champions Crowned at Football NSW Deploy Association Championships

The inaugural Football NSW Deploy Association Championships came to a fitting conclusion on Thursday, with four teams crowned Champions following a thrilling Finals Day at a packed Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee.

Across four entertaining deciders, spectators were treated to outstanding football, dramatic moments and memorable individual performances, bringing the curtain down on a landmark first edition of the Championships.

The day began with the 15 Girls Association Championship Final, where Central Coast claimed the inaugural title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manly Warringah Football Association.

The decisive moment came courtesy of Ruby Sinclair, who calmly finished off a well-worked attacking move to score the only goal of the match and secure the first-ever 15 Girls Deploy Association Championship trophy for the Central Coast.

The excitement continued in the 13 Boys Association Championship Final, with Central Coast edging Northern Suburbs 3-2 in one of the matches of the tournament.

Northern Suburbs struck first in the ninth minute through Leon Nakamura, whose stunning long-range effort opened the scoring. Central Coast responded in the 18th minute when Lauchlan Millar finished off an impressive team move to level the contest.

Nate Rose then produced one of the goals of the Championships, weaving past multiple defenders before unleashing a sensational strike from distance in the 33rd minute to put Central Coast ahead 2-1.

Northern Suburbs refused to go away, with Oliver Mills restoring parity just a minute later. However, the decisive moment arrived in the 40th minute when Player of the Match Rose delivered a sublime pass to Arish Priya-Sinavas, who calmly converted to seal a memorable 3-2 victory and the 13 Boys Association Championship.

The 14 Boys Association Championship Final delivered the day’s greatest drama as Northern Suburbs defeated Hills Football 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match finished 1-1 following extra time.

Northern Suburbs opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Noah Park powered home a header from an Alexander Mouracadeh corner. Hills looked destined for heartbreak until Oliver Puglisi produced an extraordinary long-range strike in the dying moments of regulation to send the contest into extra time. With neither side able to find a golden goal winner, the Championship was decided from the penalty spot, where Northern Suburbs held their nerve to lift the trophy.

The final match of the Championships saw Manly Warringah Football Association claim the 14 Girls Association Championship with an impressive 3-0 victory over Northern Suburbs Football Association.

Freya Steen starred with a superb double, while Grace Mercer also found the back of the net as Manly Warringah produced a composed display to finish their campaign as Champions.

Following the finals, Football NSW hosted a Closing Ceremony celebrating the outstanding efforts of every association, player, coach, referee and volunteer who helped make the inaugural Championships such a resounding success.

Central Coast Football was also recognised as the inaugural Association Champion of the Tournament, an award determined by the average Championship points accumulated across each association’s participating teams throughout the competition.

Football NSW Chief Executive Officer John Tsatsimas praised everyone involved in making the inaugural event such a memorable occasion.

“The inaugural Football NSW Deploy Association Championships have exceeded all expectations and have provided a fantastic platform for our emerging players to showcase their talent in a truly special environment,” said Tsatsimas.

“Over the past week we’ve witnessed outstanding football, incredible sportsmanship and a genuine sense of community, with thousands of parents, families and supporters helping create an unforgettable atmosphere here in Mudgee.

“Congratulations to all of our Champions and to every player, coach and association that participated. I’d also like to sincerely thank our referees, match officials, volunteers, Deploy, Mid-Western Regional Council and the local community for their commitment throughout the tournament. Their contribution has been instrumental in the success of this inaugural event.

“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved in the first year of the Football NSW Deploy Association Championships and we’re already looking forward to returning to Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee in 2027.”

Football NSW extends its sincere thanks to every participating association, club, player, coach and team official whose dedication and commitment made the Championships such a success.

Special recognition also goes to the referees and match officials, whose professionalism ensured every fixture was played in the right spirit, as well as the thousands of parents, families, friends and supporters who travelled to Mudgee and created an outstanding atmosphere throughout the week.

The passion, enthusiasm and community spirit displayed across the Championships have laid the foundation for what promises to become one of the premier events on the Football NSW calendar.

Football NSW looks forward to welcoming everyone back to Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee for the next edition of the Deploy Association Championships in 2027.