Posts by Mark Stavroulakis
NSW Shines at School Futsal National Championships in Brisbane
The 2025 School Futsal National Championships lit up the Nissan Arena in Brisbane from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 November, showcasing some of the best young futsal talent from across Australia. New South Wales enjoyed strong representation across the tournament, with teams qualifying through their performances at the NSW State Futsal Championships. NSW fielded sides…
Read More2025 Football NSW Goalkeeping Coaching Conference Sets a New Benchmark for Australia
More than 120 goalkeeper coaches from across NSW and interstate converged on Valentine Sports Park for the inaugural 2025 Football NSW Goalkeeping Coaching Conference, the first event of its kind in Australia and a milestone moment for the nation’s goalkeeper development pathway. Delivered through an intensive one-day program, the conference featured theory and field sessions…
Read MoreMt Druitt Town Rangers Announce New Era as Western City Rangers FC
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have officially announced a bold new chapter, confirming they will transition to their new identity as Western City Rangers Football Club. The rebrand reflects the club’s growing ambition and its commitment to representing the wider Western Sydney region, while maintaining the proud heritage established in 1970. Club officials emphasised that although…
Read MoreFootball NSW Strongly Represented in Inaugural Australian Championship Final Appointments
Football NSW will feature prominently on the national stage this Saturday, with Referee Eric Saba and Assistant Referees Cameron Wright and Alessandro Llana appointed to officiate the inaugural Australian Championship Final between South Melbourne FC and National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW side Marconi Stallions at the Olympic Village. This trio’s appointment is a significant recognition…
Read MoreClub Capability Building Workshop Kicks Off the 2026 Season
The Football NSW Club Technical Development Team delivered the first Club Capability Building Workshop of the new season on 1 December 2025. The session opened with a presentation on compliance clarity from Stephen Bott and Will Tan, setting the tone for a day focused on shared learning and practical development. Attendees then split into two…
Read MoreFootball NSW congratulates Graham Arnold on induction into the NSW Hall of Champions
Football NSW proudly acknowledged Graham Arnold on his induction into the NSW Hall of Champions at the 2025 NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony, held on Monday 24 November at the Sydney Event Centre – The Star. Football NSW nominated Graham for this honour in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as both a player and coach,…
Read MoreFootball NSW Launches First AFC Women’s Asian Cup Schools Activity Book Session at Birchgrove Public School
Football NSW has taken an exciting step towards celebrating the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, delivering its first Schools Activity Book session at Birchgrove Public School on Friday, 21 November. The session marks the beginning of a new initiative that brings the tournament into classrooms through fun, football-themed learning experiences. As part of the…
Read MoreCoaches Unite for a Landmark 2025 Football NSW Coaching Conference at Valentine Sports Park
It was another weekend to remember at Valentine Sports Park, the home of Football NSW, as more than 1,000 coaches from across New South Wales and interstate came together for the sold-out 2025 Football NSW Coaching Conference. Over two action-packed days, the event once again reinforced its standing as Australia’s largest coaching conference, uniting coaches…
Read MoreValentine Sports Park Comes to Life as 2025 Football NSW Coaching Conference International Guests Inspire Coaches
Valentine Sports Park came alive on Thursday as coaches from all levels of the game descended on the home of football for a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Football NSW (FNSW) proudly delivered a series of free CPD workshops for coaches, technical directors, and coach education tutors headlined by a world-class lineup of…
Read MoreFootball NSW Pursue Remarkable 17th Straight National Para Football Title
Football NSW’s Para Football squad will be chasing history next month as they look to secure an extraordinary 17th consecutive National Para Football Championship title at the 2025 tournament, held at the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora, Victoria. Running from Monday 8 December to Friday 12 December, the Sky Blues, coached by Pete Nowakowski,…
Read MoreHistoric Debuts for Referee Talents at Inaugural Australian Championship
The inaugural Australian Championship delivered not only high-quality football but also a proud moment for the nation’s refereeing community, with three emerging officials making their national debuts through the Football NSW Referee Academy and Football Australia National Referee Academy pathways. Football NSW Referee Academy member Noah Moss, Football South Referees representative Brooklyn Faucett, and Northern…
Read MoreFootball NSW Announces New Association Championships to Launch in Mudgee
Football NSW is proud to announce the launch of the Football NSW Association Championships, a brand-new annual youth football tournament set to kick off in July 2026 in Mudgee, NSW. This exciting new competition will replace the former Association Youth League (AYL) and serve as a celebration of grassroots football and player development across the…
Read MoreSouthern & Ettalong United FC Named Football NSW’s Club Changer Club of the Month for November
Football NSW has announced Central Coast Football’s Southern & Ettalong United Football Club (SEUFC) as its Club Changer Club of the Month for November. The Club Changer Program, developed by Football Australia, is designed to protect, enhance, and future-proof community football clubs by strengthening their structures, sustainability, and long-term success. Central Coast Football CEO Alex…
Read MoreMedia Accreditation Opens for 2026 Football NSW Senior Competitions
Football NSW is now accepting applications for media accreditation ahead of the 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) NSW and Football NSW Leagues senior seasons. This accreditation allows journalists, photographers, social content creators, and broadcasters to access Football NSW’s senior-only fixtures throughout the upcoming season. Accredited Access Covers: All NPL Men’s NSW and NPL Women’s NSW…
Read More2026 Football NSW Club Development Conference
Join us at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday 7 February 2026 for the third edition of the Football NSW Club Development Conference, a day dedicated to helping community clubs grow, plan strategically, and connect with industry experts. We invite association staff, and club committee members to hear from leading voices across topics like safeguarding, volunteerism,…
Read MoreCelebrating the Heart of the Game: Football NSW’s 2025 State Dinner
Football NSW’s 2025 State Dinner was held in grand style at the Visy Dior International in Norwest on Saturday, marking a special night of celebration for the community football family. A standout moment of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious George Churchward Medal to Ian Cockburn of the Southern Branch Association, honouring his…
Read More2025 Futsal Premier League 2 Mid-Season Review – Open Men’s
The Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s competition has reached the halfway mark, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting run home. With eight teams vying for supremacy, let’s take a look at how each side is tracking as we head into the business end of the 2025 season. West City Crusaders – Setting…
Read More2025 Futsal Premier League 2 Mid-Season Review – Open Women’s
The Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s competition has reached its halfway point, and the race for the finals is heating up. With plenty of storylines emerging across all eight clubs, here’s how the teams are shaping up heading into a massive second half of the 2025 season. Macarthur Quake Futsal Club – Quaking Back…
Read More2025 Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Mid-Season Review
As the 2025 Futsal Premier League Open Women’s season reaches its halfway mark, four teams have emerged as genuine contenders for silverware. Below them, the signs are encouraging for improving sides like Dural Warriors and Sydney Allstars, who are beginning to find their rhythm. UTS Northside – Setting the Standard Leading the competition with 18…
Read More2025 Futsal Premier League Open Men’s – Mid-Season Review
The 2025 Futsal Premier League Open Men’s season has reached its halfway mark and it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. While Mountain Majik have set the early pace with a perfect record, a thrilling five-team battle is unfolding for the remaining semi-final spots. Meanwhile, Sydney Futsal Club have…
Read MoreTechnical Leaders Unite at Valentine Sports Park for 2025 End of Season Workshop
Football NSW brought the curtain down on the 2025 season on Wednesday evening with the annual End of Season Technical Director Workshop hosted at Valentine Sports Park. The evening brought together representatives from 34 clubs and 63 technical leaders from across the state to celebrate the achievements of the season and share key insights from…
Read MoreBelrose-Terrey Hills Raiders Claim Double Glory at Champion of Champions
It was a weekend to remember for the Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders Soccer Club (BTH) who claimed a stunning double victory at the prestigious Football NSW Champion of Champions tournament, with both their Under 15 and Under 17 boys’ teams securing titles in front of proud supporters at Valentine Sports Park. The twin triumphs cap off…
Read MoreSporting Rovers Celebrate Historic Double at Champion of Champions Finals
Southern Districts Football Association side Sporting Rovers FC have etched their name into the record books with a remarkable showing at the 2025 Football NSW Champion of Champions, with both their Under 13 and Under 14 Boys teams claiming grand final victories in what Club President Kevin George has hailed as the club’s proudest achievement…
Read MoreLindfield FC Creates History with Dominant Champion of Champions Performance
In what has been hailed as one of the most remarkable performances in recent memory, Northern Suburbs Football Association’s Lindfield FC has made history at the 2025 Football NSW Champion of Champions finals, claiming victory in all four of its final appearances. Taking out titles in the 15 Girls, 18 Women, 21 Women, and All…
Read MoreLilli Pilli U16 Girls Crowned Champion of Champions to complete the treble
In a triumphant end to a stellar season, the Lilli Pilli Under 16 Girls who represented the Sutherland Shire Football Association have been crowned Football NSW Champion of Champions, claiming the prestigious title in a thrilling final on Sunday at Valentine Sports Park clinching their third piece of silverware this year. The Champion of Champions…
Read More2025 Champion of Champions Match Reports
Valentine Sports Park came alive on Super Sunday as it hosted the 55th edition of Football NSW’s Champion of Champions finals — a marquee day in the grassroots football calendar. Eighteen thrilling matches were played back-to-back, showcasing the very best community talent from across the state in what was a true celebration of the beautiful…
Read More60 Referees Set to Shine at 2025 Football NSW Champion of Champions
This Sunday promises to be a milestone moment for 60 of New South Wales’ most dedicated match officials, as they step onto the pitch for the 2025 Football NSW Champion of Champions at Valentine Sports Park. Renowned as the state’s premier grassroots knockout tournament, the Champion of Champions not only showcases the best community football…
Read MoreMWFA Leads the Way with Six Clubs in Champion of Champions Finals
This Sunday, the Northern Beaches will be proudly represented on one of NSW community football’s biggest stages, as six clubs from the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) compete in the Champion of Champions Finals at Valentine Sports Park. It’s the highest number of clubs from any single association in the 2025 tournament — a fact…
Read MoreFour Lindfield FC teams ready for Champion of Champions finals
Northern Suburbs Football Association’s Lindfield Football Club is writing a proud new chapter in its storied history this Sunday, with four of its teams set to take the field at the prestigious Champion of Champions Finals at Valentine Sports Park. It’s a rare and remarkable feat for any club—let alone a community-based club—to see four…
Read MoreShining a Spotlight on Grassroots Excellence: Introducing the Club of the Year Award
The 2025 State Awards will welcome another exciting addition to this year’s celebrations — the inaugural Nine Ad Manager Community Club of the Year award. Introduced by Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet, this new award category recognises exceptional community clubs that are leading the way in innovation, inclusion, development, and positive impact within their football…
Read MoreCelebrating Excellence: New ‘Association of the Year’ Award to Debut at 2025 State Awards
The 2025 State Awards will see the exciting introduction of a brand-new category, Nine Ad Manager Association of the Year, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact across football associations in NSW. This new category will sit alongside another new inclusion, Nine Ad Manager Community Club of the Year. Proudly sponsored by Nine Ad Manager, this…
Read MoreAPIA Leichhardt Tigers Juniors Gunning for Back-to-Back Champion of Champions Titles
APIA Leichhardt Tigers Juniors FC Over-35s, representing Football Canterbury, will be aiming to defend their crown when they take on Dunbar Rovers from Eastern Suburbs FA in the 2025 Champion of Champions final this Sunday at Valentine Sports Park. After claiming the 2024 title with a convincing 3-1 win over Penrith Rovers, head coach Daniel…
Read MoreHurstville City Minotaurs Eye Sixth Champion of Champions Title
Hurstville City Minotaurs, one of the most decorated Over-45s teams in NSW, are set to make a triumphant return to the Champion of Champions final this Sunday at Valentine Sports Park, following a one-year absence from the big stage. Representing Football St George, the Minotaurs are no strangers to success, boasting five titles in the…
Read MoreHurlstone Park Wanderers Named Club Changer Club of the Month
Football NSW has named Hurlstone Park Wanderers as its Club Changer Club of the Month for October, recognising the club’s outstanding commitment to creating a positive environment for players, officials, and supporters. The Club Changer initiative is part of Football Australia’s Club Development Program, designed to support clubs in building long-term sustainability, resilience, and success.…
Read MoreNSW’s Grassroots Elite Set to Shine at 2025 Champion of Champions Finals
Football NSW is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year as the 55th Champion of Champions Finals take centre stage this Sunday, October 19, at Valentine Sports Park. A total of 18 blockbuster matches will be played across three fields in a single action-packed day, as 36 of the state’s top…
Read MoreBumper Weekend of Coach Education at Valentine Sports Park
Valentine Sports Park was buzzing with activity this weekend as Football NSW hosted a massive line-up of coach education events, drawing over 125 coaches from across the state. With six courses running simultaneously at the iconic home of football, the weekend marked one of the most ambitious and wide-reaching coach development efforts in recent years.…
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