Posts by Mark Stavroulakis
Football NSW Welcomes Solomon Islands for Youth Olympics Preparation Match
Football NSW’s 17s Boys Futsal Talent Support Program (TSP) went head-to-head with the Solomon Islands in an entertaining international friendly at Valentine Sports Park on Tuesday night, helping the visiting side prepare for next month’s 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The friendly provided the Solomon Islands with a valuable opportunity to test themselves against…
Read MoreFrom Bankstown to the Top of Australian Football: Mark Milligan Headlines Coaching Conference
Former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning head coach Mark Milligan will be the guest of honour at the sold-out 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, to be held at Valentine Sports Park on 21–22 November. Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches will bring together coaches from across the game for two days of practical sessions,…
Read MoreFootball 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…
Read MoreJeff Stewart nominated for Administrator of the Year at 2026 NSW Sports Awards
Jeff Stewart’s remarkable contribution to grassroots football has earned further recognition, with the long-serving outgoing Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) CEO nominated for Administrator of the Year at this year’s NSW Sports Awards. The nomination caps off a massive year for Jeff, who was recently honoured with a coveted Football NSW State Award at the…
Read MoreFootball NSW Celebrates Community Heroes at 2026 State Dinner
View the Full list of winners Photo Gallery From a remarkable 35 years of service to grassroots football to extraordinary acts of sportsmanship and the emergence of future leaders, the Football NSW State Dinner celebrated the people, clubs and associations making a lasting difference across the game. Football NSW’s 2026 State Dinner brought the community…
Read MoreRefereeing talent takes centre stage at Champion of Champions 2026
The depth of refereeing talent across community football was on full display at the 2026 Champion of Champions grand finals, with representatives from 16 referee branches coming together to officiate the action at Valentine Sports Park. The grand finals provided a valuable opportunity for referees and match officials to showcase their skills on one of…
Read MoreFrom Talent ID to the Big Stage: Young Referees Rewarded with Finals Appointments
The Football NSW All Age Women’s and All Age Men’s Champion of Champions Finals provided another important showcase for the development of young match officials, with emerging referees taking on key appointments at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday 18 October. With support from their local referee branches and experienced colleagues, the young officials demonstrated the…
Read MoreDouble the Glory: Kirrawee Kangaroos, Seaforth FC and St Augustine FC Complete Historic Doubles
Three clubs have enjoyed a season to remember, with Sutherland Shire Football Association’s Kirrawee Kangaroos Under 15 Girls and Manly Warringah Football Association’s Seaforth FC Under 16 Girls and St Augustine FC Under 18 Men completing impressive doubles by winning both their respective State Cup Finals and Champion of Champions titles in 2026. The outstanding…
Read MoreSeven Heaven: Hurstville City Minotaurs Make Champion of Champions History
Hurstville City Minotaurs have cemented their place in NSW football history, claiming a record-breaking seventh Over 45s Champion of Champions title after defeating Eastwood St Andrews FC 3-0 at Valentine Sports Park last Sunday. The Football St George powerhouse proved too strong for their opponents at the 56th Champion of Champions Finals, producing a commanding…
Read MoreFootball NSW Referees celebrate season of excellence at annual awards
The Football NSW Referees Branch came together at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, on Friday, October 9, to celebrate the 2026 season and recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of its refereeing community. Senior members of the branch gathered for the annual awards evening, celebrating those nominated for and recognised with end-of-season honours, while acknowledging…
Read MoreGrassroots football shines at the 56th Champion of Champions finals
Valentine Sports Park was alive with excitement on Super Sunday as it hosted the 56th edition of Football NSW’s Champion of Champions finals, one of the biggest highlights of the grassroots football calendar. Eighteen thrilling matches were played back-to-back, showcasing the very best community football talent from across the state in a memorable celebration of…
Read MoreNext Generation of Officials: Football NSW Referee Academy Graduates Make Their Mark
Football NSW is celebrating the achievements of its 2026 Referee Academy graduating class, with a new generation of officials making significant strides across the state’s football competitions and earning opportunities on some of the game’s biggest stages. The 2026 program challenged participants through a comprehensive 10-week selection process that included physical and theoretical testing, as…
Read MoreWest Griffith Soccer Club Celebrated as October’s Club Changer Club of the Month
Football NSW has recognised West Griffith Soccer Club as its Club Changer Club of the Month for October, celebrating the club’s outstanding commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and sustainable environment for players, volunteers, officials and supporters. Club Changer is Football Australia’s club development program designed to support clubs in becoming stronger, more resilient and…
Read MoreChampion of Champions Finals Set for Another Huge Celebration of NSW Grassroots Football
Football NSW is preparing for another unforgettable celebration of grassroots football, with the 2026 Champion of Champions Finals set to bring together the best community teams from across the state at Valentine Sports Park this Sunday A total of 18 grand finals will take place across the day, with 36 teams battling it out for…
Read MoreFootball NSW Celebrates 20 Female Coaching Scholars
Football NSW recently celebrated the achievements of 20 female coaches who have taken a significant step forward in their coaching journeys after receiving part scholarships through the CommBank Growing Football Fund. Proudly supported by Football Australia and CommBank’s Growing Football Fund, the initiative has provided 20 female coaches with financial support to complete their AFC/FA…
Read MoreGrassroots Football Boosted As Three Football South Coast Clubs Secure Facility Funding
Football NSW has welcomed a significant boost for grassroots football across the South Coast, with three Football South Coast clubs receiving much-needed funding through the NSW Government’s Active Regional Communities Package Community Participation Program. The investment will support important facility upgrades at Albion Park White Eagles Soccer Club, Woonona Football Club and Fairy Meadow United…
Read MoreMaddy Allum Appointed To History-Making Australia Cup Final
Football NSW referee Maddy Allum will represent NSW on one of Australian football’s biggest stages after being appointed as Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) for Saturday’s Hahn Australia Cup 2026 Final between South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Victory FC at AAMI Park. Allum’s appointment is a significant achievement and recognition of her continued development, professionalism…
Read MoreRegional Talent On Show As Football NSW TSP Squads Impress At FV ID Cup
Football NSW’s commitment to developing regional talent was on full display last week, with Under 14 Boys and Girls squads from the Talent Support Program (TSP) Regional competing at the Football Victoria ID Cup. The tournament provided an invaluable opportunity for some of NSW’s most promising regional players to test themselves against representative teams from…
Read MoreFrom TSP To International Glory: NSW Players Help Joeys Lift CFA Invitational Trophy
The strength of the Football NSW player development pathway has once again been showcased on the international stage, with five former Football NSW Talent Support Program (TSP) graduates playing a key role in the CommBank Joeys’ triumph at the 2026 CFA Invitational in Shenyang, China. The squad, featuring some of Australia’s brightest Under 16 talent,…
Read MoreNAIDOC Cup Continues To Strengthen First Nations Football Pathways
The 2026 NAIDOC Cup has come to a successful conclusion following three memorable days of football, culture and community at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. The annual tournament once again brought together Football NSW and Northern NSW Football, providing a platform to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and communities while showcasing…
Read MoreNAIDOC Cup Underway As NSW’s Best First Nations Talent Comes Together
The 2026 NAIDOC Cup has officially kicked off at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, with Football NSW and Northern NSW Football coming together for a celebration of First Nations culture, community and football. Following a memorable opening ceremony, the annual tournament began on Wednesday with talented First Nations players from across NSW representing their…
Read MoreVale Andrew Fathers
Football NSW was saddened to learn of the passing of former employee Andrew Fathers. Andrew was a well-known and highly regarded member of the football community across NSW, dedicating many years of service to the game in a variety of roles both on and off the field. During his time with Football NSW, Andrew worked…
Read MoreFootball NSW and Sydney Civil announce two-year partnership to support First Nations football pathways
Football NSW is proud to announce a two-year partnership with Sydney Civil as its Official First Nations Partner, supporting First Nations participation and development opportunities across the game. Sydney Civil is a Sydney-based civil engineering company with a strong commitment to reconciliation and building respectful relationships, fostering understanding and creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and…
Read MoreFootball NSW Delivers First 2026 Futsal CPD Workshop
Football NSW has launched its 2026 Futsal Coach Professional Development (CPD) Program, providing coaches with valuable opportunities to further enhance their knowledge and continue developing within the game. The first Futsal CPD workshop of the year was recently delivered for coaches preparing for the upcoming futsal season, with Football NSW Futsal Coach Education Tutors leading…
Read MoreThree Decades Of Service Rewarded As Santino Grieco Claims Charles Valentine Medal
More than three decades of dedication to football in New South Wales was recognised on Thursday night, with Inter Lions FC’s Santino Grieco awarded the prestigious 2026 Charles Valentine Medal at the Football NSW Annual Gala Dinner. Presented by Football NSW Chair Gilbert Lorquet and Deputy Chair Deborah Chapman, the Charles Valentine Medal recognises an…
Read MoreFootball NSW Celebrates 2026’s Best At Gala Awards
Football NSW celebrated an unforgettable 2026 season in style on Thursday night, with more than 900 guests descending on The Star Event Centre for the 2026 Football NSW Annual Gala Dinner. Players, coaches, referees, administrators, volunteers, club representatives and special guests gathered for Football NSW’s night of nights, celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions across…
Read MoreMounties Wanderers Ready To Make Their Mark In League One
Mounties Wanderers FC are already looking towards their next challenge after securing promotion back to the Football NSW League One Men’s competition for 2027 following a dominant campaign in League Two Men’s. The achievement marks the second time in three seasons that Mounties, coached by Andre Schroeder have earned promotion to the second tier, having…
Read MoreFrom Junior To Head Coach: Elrich Leads Parramatta Back To League One
For Tarek Elrich, Parramatta FC’s promotion to the Football NSW League One Men’s competition represents far more than a successful season. Having played for the Eagles at junior level, Elrich has now helped guide his boyhood club back into the state’s second tier for the first time since 2017, securing promotion following a dramatic playoff…
Read MoreVezos And Lewis Earn Alpha Awards Finalist Recognition
NSW football photography has received a boost with Football NSW photographer Andrew Vezos and fellow NSW photographer Georgia Lewis both named finalists in the 2026 Alpha Awards. Vezos’ photograph, titled ‘Goal. Behind the goal’ following a shot from this year’s NPL Men’s NSW competition match between Rockdale Ilinden v St George FC, has been shortlisted…
Read MoreConnection, Family And Community At Heart Of 2026 NAIDOC Cup Jersey
Connection, family and community will take centre stage at this year’s NAIDOC Cup, with the winning jersey design set to be worn by Football NSW players at the 2026 tournament in Lake Macquarie. Created by a talented Gamilaraay artist Kayley King, the winning artwork was selected to represent the values at the heart of the…
Read MoreWodonga Heart FC Named September Club Changer Club of the Month
Football NSW has named Wodonga Heart Football Club as its September Club Changer Club of the Month, recognising the club’s outstanding commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and positive environment for players, officials, volunteers and supporters. Club Changer is Football Australia’s Club Development Program, designed to help clubs become stronger, more resilient and sustainable while…
Read MoreVale Tony Stecca
Football NSW extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and wider St George FC community following the passing of long-time clubman Tony Stecca, who passed away on Saturday, 12 September at the age of 89. Tony was a much-loved and respected figure within St George football, having dedicated more than five decades of his…
Read MoreSt George FC Rally From Behind To Secure NPL Men’s NSW Survival
St George FC have retained their place in the NPL Men’s NSW competition after producing a dramatic second-half fightback to defeat Northern Tigers 3-1 at Barton Park on Saturday night. The Saints trailed at half-time after the Tigers produced a strong opening 45 minutes, but a relentless second-half performance ultimately turned the Promotion/Relegation Playoff on…
Read MoreParramatta FC Soar Back To League One After Playoff Triumph
Parramatta FC have completed a remarkable decade-long journey back to the League One Men’s competition, securing promotion for 2027 despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat to Prospect United SC. The Eagles prevailed 5-3 on aggregate in the 2026 Football NSW League One Men’s/League Two Men’s Promotion/Relegation Playoff, doing more than enough across the two legs to…
Read More$17.5 Million Newington Reserve Transformation Delivers Major Boost For Football
Football in the Parramatta region has received a major boost with the completion of the $17.5 million transformation of Newington Reserve, providing local players, clubs and families with a state-of-the-art sporting and recreation destination. The redevelopment has delivered a new synthetic sports field, modern sports pavilion, outdoor fitness equipment, BBQ facilities, improved parking and upgraded…
Read MoreThe Voices Of Jubilee: Commentary Teams Ready For NPL NSW Grand Final Stage
The biggest day on the NPL NSW calendar is almost here, and while the players will take centre stage at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium this Sunday, some of the competition’s most experienced media professionals will be there to bring every moment to life. The 2026 NPL NSW Grand Finals will see Bulls FC Academy…
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