Posts by Mark Stavroulakis
Round 3 Review – League One Men’s
Round three of the FNSW League One Men’s competition continued to provide plenty of drama and some surprise results across the weekend. Northern Tigers won their third straight game at home, while both Hurstville Zagreb and Western City Rangers claimed their first victories of 2026. Match of the Round: Hurstville Zagreb FC 1-0 Inter Lions…
Read More2026 Sapphire Cup Club Entries Now Open!
The road to Sapphire Cup glory starts now. Club entries for the 2026 Sapphire Cup are officially open, with the state’s premier senior women’s knockout competition poised to reach even greater heights following a thrilling 2025 campaign. Last season delivered unforgettable moments, with APIA Leichhardt FC crowned champions after a standout victory over Mount Druitt…
Read MoreRound 3 Preview – League One Men’s
With three teams taking maximum points and another three yet to register a point — including the competition favourite — over the opening two rounds, Round Three of the FNSW League One Men’s competition looms as teams begin to gain or lose momentum. Match of the Round: Hurstville Zagreb FC v Inter Lions Friday 20…
Read MoreRound 3 Preview – League Two Men’s
With the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season into Round 3, every team will hope to have taken on learnings from their first few matches, with early form teams appearing. Four teams went two-for-two after Round Two, one more remains undefeated and six others will hope to grab their first win. The Match of…
Read MoreFootball NSW delivers successful FNSW Heroes Program for teachers
Football NSW proudly delivered its latest FNSW Heroes Program on Thursday 22 January, with 10 teachers taking part in the exclusive professional development initiative. The program was made available specifically to teachers who delivered a Sporting Schools Program throughout 2025, recognising their commitment to growing participation and providing quality football experiences for students across NSW.…
Read MoreHawkesbury City Hawks retain the Stroke Recovery Cup for 2026
The Hawkesbury City Hawks have retained the Stroke Recovery Cup for 2026 following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gladesville Ryde Magic in their Football NSW League 2 Men’s First Grade clash. Now in its sixth year, the annual fixture once again brought both clubs together to raise awareness and funds for stroke recovery and rehabilitation.…
Read MoreRound 2 Review – League Two Men’s
Round 2 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season saw four teams go two-from-two to begin the season as every side looked to get into the groove of the new year. The Match of the Round this week saw Fraser Park FC overcome Bankstown United FC in a tight encounter at home. …
Read MoreRound 2 Review – League One Men’s
There was no shortage of talking points after Round Two of the FNSW League One Men’s competition, which took place over the weekend. Blacktown Spartans continued their hot start to the season, Hakoah picked up the scalp of Bankstown City, and Northern Tigers celebrated a milestone for one of their most loyal players, Ally Brown.…
Read MoreRegistrations Now Open for the 2026 Football NSW Futsal Schools Championships
Schools across the state are gearing up for one of the biggest school futsal competitions on the calendar, with registrations now officially open for the 2026 Football NSW Futsal Schools Championships. Kicking off in March, the Championships will once again bring together talented students from across NSW to compete in a fast-paced, high-energy format of…
Read MoreRound 2 Preview – League One Men’s
A Western Sydney derby headlines round 2 of the Football NSW League One Men’s Competition this weekend. With teams having shaken off the cobwebs, it promises to be an entertaining Saturday evening with seven games taking place, while Central Coast Mariners host Macarthur Rams in the sole Sunday kick off. Match of the Round: Western…
Read MoreRound 2 Preview – League Two Men’s
With the first round of fixtures completed, every team in the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s competition will hope to have a positive Round 2 with match time under their belt. With every team having experienced a win or a loss in the opening round, the stage is set for more action in Round…
Read MoreEmpowering Grassroots: Clubs Unite at 2026 Football NSW Conference
Over 220 attendees gathered at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday, 7 February for the 2026 Football NSW Club Development Conference. With registrations continuing to roll in for the 2026 season, representatives from more than 110 community football clubs across Sydney Metropolitan, regional NSW, Northern NSW and Capital Football attended what proved to be a jam-packed…
Read MoreMacarthur Talent Development Program Reaches Major Milestone
The Macarthur Talent Development Program (TDP) has reached a significant milestone, with 50 players progressing from the program into representative football for the 2026 season alongside their club commitments. Launched in Term 3, 2025, the TDP was established to identify and nurture talented players competing in local competitions, including the Macarthur SAP (MSAP) League and…
Read MoreRound 1 Review – League One Men’s
Round one of the FNSW League One Men’s competition delivered plenty of drama, including what could be one of the league’s most thrilling games in recent memory. Rydalmere Lions stunned Bankstown City thanks to an Isaac Cunningham hat-trick, while promoted sides started positively and Macarthur Rams claimed a big win over Western City Rangers. Here’s…
Read MoreRound 1 Preview – League Two Men’s
The wait is over. Round One of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season arrives with fresh faces, renewed ambitions and plenty on the line from the opening whistle. New challengers enter the fold, familiar rivals renew battles, and every club will be desperate to turn pre-season promise into early points. With storylines everywhere…
Read MoreRound 1 Preview – League One Men’s
Fresh faces, new coaches and a reshaped competition — the Football NSW League One Men’s season launches this weekend with plenty of intrigue and early-season edge. Four clubs arrive via promotion or relegation, while several others begin new eras from the dugout. With action spread across three days, Round One offers the first glimpse of…
Read MoreFootball NSW Live Streaming Returns Bigger Than Ever in 2026: Real Football. Home Grown
Football NSW’s commitment to showcasing the game at its purest continues in 2026, with every National Premier Leagues Men’s and Women’s NSW match set to be streamed live and free on YouTube once again. From packed suburban grounds to the biggest moments of the season, real football, homegrown stories and local rivalries will be on…
Read MoreGirls Youth League Season Launch Brings Focus on Creativity and Wellbeing
More than 200 technical and coaching staff from Girls Youth League (GYL) and Girls Junior Development League (GJDL) clubs gathered at Valentine Sports Park over the weekend for the official launch of the 2026 Girls Youth League season. The season launch centred on the theme of “Developing creativity within our players”, alongside the growing importance…
Read MoreFootball NSW League Two Men’s 2026 Season Preview
After a season full of firsts in 2025, the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s competition shapes as one of the most open and unpredictable in recent memory. With multiple sides eyeing premiership honours and promotion, and significant player movement across the off-season, the campaign promises plenty of intrigue. Two familiar names return to the…
Read MoreFootball NSW League One Men’s 2026 Season Preview
The 2026 FNSW League One Men’s season is just days away, and with it comes a campaign that promises intrigue, unpredictability and plenty of talking points. With four new clubs entering the division and nine teams beginning the season under new coaches, change is a constant theme heading into Round 1. While the competition looks…
Read MoreFootball NSW Referees Branch Gears Up for 2026 Season at Pre-Season Seminar
Valentine Sports Park played host to more than 150 senior referees from the Football NSW Referees Branch last Sunday, as match officials gathered to prepare for the upcoming 2026 football season. The annual pre-season seminar remains a cornerstone of preparation for referees who will officiate across the Football NSW National Premier Leagues and Leagues competitions,…
Read MoreCraig Fisher Awarded Football NSW Referees Branch Life Membership
Football NSW Referees Branch has proudly awarded Life Membership to Craig Fisher in recognition of his outstanding service and lasting contribution to refereeing in New South Wales. The honour was presented at the Referees Branch pre-season seminar, marking a significant milestone in a distinguished officiating career. Craig began his refereeing journey at the state level…
Read MoreNSW Officials Reach A-Leagues Milestones in 2025/26 Season
Football NSW has congratulated 11 match officials who have reached significant career milestones after making their debuts in the A-League Women and A-League Men competitions during the first half of the 2025/26 A-Leagues season. The appointments highlight the continued strength of the refereeing pathway in New South Wales, with officials progressing from grassroots and state…
Read MoreNSW Referees Named on FIFA International Referee List for 2026
A number of NSW match officials have been recognised with selection on the 2026 FIFA International Referee Lists, reflecting the strength of the state’s refereeing pathways and its continued contribution to the international game. Among those appointed is NSW referee Tim Danaskos, who has been named on the FIFA International Referee List for the first…
Read MoreNSW Referees Shine at National Futsal Championships
Football NSW congratulates the 28 NSW referees and seven match official staff members who represented the state with distinction at the 2026 National Futsal Championships on the Gold Coast. The Championships were held from Tuesday, 13 January to Saturday, 17 January 2026, across two premier venues, the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre and Carrara…
Read MoreIan Holmes OAM Recognised in Australia Day 2026 Honours
Football NSW Board Member and long-serving football administrator Ian Holmes OAM has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to football, particularly community football, in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List. Ian has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of more than five decades of dedicated service to the game…
Read MoreA-Leagues to operate Central Coast Mariners’ Academy for season 2026
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) can today confirm it will operate the Central Coast Mariners’ Academy (CCM Academy) through to the end of the 2026 National Premier League (NPL) season. Last week, the APL announced that it had taken over the management of the Central Coast Mariners FC on an interim basis while a sales…
Read More2026 Football4all Gala Day Save the Date Announced
Football NSW is pleased to announce that the annual Football4all Gala Day will be held on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at the Home of Football NSW, Valentine Sports Park. The Football4all Gala Day is a celebration of inclusion and community, bringing together children and young adults with disability or additional needs for a day of…
Read MoreRegents Park Saints FC Pushes for Women’s Football Legacy Funding
With women’s and girls’ football participation continuing to grow rapidly across New South Wales, grassroots clubs like Regents Park Saints FC are calling for legacy-focused investment to ensure facilities keep pace with demand ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. Regents Park Saints FC has outlined a Wishlist of proposed upgrades to their home ground of…
Read MoreFootball NSW Crowned 2026 Mitre National Futsal Champions on the Gold Coast
Football NSW have been crowned the 2026 Mitre National Futsal Champions, following an outstanding week of competition at the 2026 National Championships held on the Gold Coast. The title capped off a highly successful tournament for Football NSW, highlighted by multiple Grand Final victories across several age groups and categories, reinforcing the state’s strength and…
Read MoreFootball NSW Coaches Deepen Global Connections Through 2026 Japan Coach Education Exchange
Football NSW has proudly celebrated the success of the 2026 FNSW Japan Coach Education Exchange, an international learning experience that further strengthened the long-standing relationship between Football NSW (FNSW) and the Japan Football Association (JFA). A cohort of 14 coaches travelled to Japan to take part in a high-performance coach education program, gaining rare insight…
Read MorePILA Goalposts Renews Partnership with Football NSW Through 2027
PILA Sports, Australia’s market leader in football goalposts and sports field equipment, has renewed its long-standing partnership with Football NSW through to the end of 2027, extending the relationship to an impressive 18 consecutive years. Under the renewed agreement, PILA will continue as the exclusive Official Goalpost Partner of Football NSW and Valentine Sports Park,…
Read MoreFootball NSW Statement: Central Coast Mariners
Football NSW have been made aware of the resumption of the Central Coast Mariners licence by the APL. Football NSW have sought clarity from the APL in relation to its management of the current situation and its plan for its programs that participate in the FNSW competitions for men and women’s and boys and girls…
Read MoreKappa Extends Partnership as Official Apparel Supplier of Football NSW
Following an extensive and highly competitive tender process, Football NSW is pleased to announce that Kappa has been re-appointed as the Official Apparel Supplier through to the end of 2030. The new agreement extends the strong partnership between the two organisations to nine years and reinforces Kappa’s long-term commitment to supporting football at every level…
Read MoreVipers Bite Again to Secure Back-to-Back Open Men’s Titles
Mascot Vipers sealed consecutive Futsal Premier League Open Men’s championships with a thrilling 7–4 victory over Eastern Suburbs Hakoah at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday evening. Carrying strong momentum into the Grand Final, the Vipers once again rose to the occasion, delivering a ruthless attacking performance that ultimately proved the difference, as Hakoah were left…
Read MoreMalone the Hero as Hakoah Complete Extra-Time Comeback Classic
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah completed a remarkable comeback to defeat Dural Warriors 4–3 after extra time in a thrilling Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday night. In a contest where neither side deserved to lose, the Warriors produced a spirited and disciplined performance but were ultimately denied as Hakoah…
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