Posts by Mark Stavroulakis
Change of Guard at Nepean FA as New Leadership Drives Grassroots Growth into 2026
The Nepean Football Association is set to enter an exciting new chapter in its history, with long-serving Chief Executive Officer Linda Cerone announcing her retirement after an extraordinary 28-year tenure at the helm. Cerone’s departure marks the end of an era for Nepean FA, with her total involvement in football spanning an incredible 34 years.…
Read MoreBankstown City Turn to Club Junior Panny Nikas to Lead 2026 Charge
Bankstown City FC have confirmed the appointment of Panagiotis “Panny” Nikas as the club’s new head coach for the remainder of the 2026 Football NSW League One Men’s season. Nikas steps into the role following the departure of Fabian Miceli, who parted ways with the club after Bankstown City’s Round 15 defeat to the Newcastle…
Read MoreTamsin Colley Leads Inclusive Football Push with Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC
Football NSW ParaMatilda star Tamsin Colley continues to be a driving force for inclusion in the game, headlining the upcoming “She Kicks” all-abilities football skills program in partnership with Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC. The 23-year-old Australian Paralympian, who proudly represented the green and gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, remains a strong advocate for accessibility…
Read MoreRound 16 Preview – League Two Men’s
With the first half of the season completed, the chase for second could not be closer, learnings from this year’s previous matchups will be tested, and the league leaders will look to streak ahead in Round 16 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season. Match of the Round: Central Coast United FC…
Read MoreFootball Australia Launches Free Referee Wellbeing Webinar with Leading Sports Psychologist
Football Australia is continuing its commitment to supporting community match officials with the launch of a free online webinar focused on managing match day pressure. The session forms part of Football Australia’s wider focus on improving the development, wellbeing and performance of referees at all levels of the game, ensuring officials are equipped with the…
Read MoreNSW Match Officials Earn A-League Men’s Grand Final Appointment
Football NSW is proud to acknowledge three of its match officials who have been appointed to the A-League Men’s Grand Final between Auckland FC and Sydney FC this Saturday. Kearney Robinson, Brad Wright and Sam Kelly have all been selected as part of the officiating team for the season decider, marking a significant recognition of…
Read MoreRound 13 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 13 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition is a blockbuster weekend of action which will help shape up the ladder as we head to the halfway mark of the season. There are six games to enjoy on a Super Sunday including a top-of-the-table clash between SD Raiders FC and Newcastle Jets FC…
Read MoreFinal Four Locked In: Australia Cup Round 7 Fixtures Confirmed
The final stage of the HAHN Australia Cup Preliminary Round is set, with Round 7 fixtures confirmed as eight clubs move within one win of the national stage. Blacktown City FC, Sydney United 58, APIA Leichhardt FC, Rockdale Ilinden, SD Raiders FC, Wollongong United FC, Fraser Park FC and Sydney Olympic FC are now just…
Read MoreRound 16 Preview – League One Men’s
Having crossed the halfway point of the FNSW League One Men’s season, it’s time to take stock of where our teams are and look ahead to Round 16 to be played this weekend. Our match of the round sees a revitalised Western City Rangers host Macarthur Rams. While plenty of eyes will be on Bankstown…
Read MoreFootball NSW celebrates volunteers during National Volunteer Week
Football NSW is proudly celebrating the outstanding contribution of volunteers across the football community as National Volunteer Week gets underway from Monday 18 May to Sunday 24 May. Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers, National Volunteer Week highlights the incredible people who give their time, energy and passion to support community sport and, in particular,…
Read MoreRound 12 Review – League One Women’s
Round 12 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition featured some outstanding results for sides jostling for the top four. There were six games to enjoy across Sunday’s fixtures, headlined by the Match of the Round which featured Marconi Stallions FC and Camden Tigers FC. Let’s get onto the review! Match of the Round:…
Read MoreRound 15 Review – League Two Men’s
The conclusion of Round 15 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season marks the halfway point, with Mounties Wanderers FC leading the league by 12 points and a plethora of sides in the hunt for second heading into the second half of the season. The Match of the Round this week saw Dunbar…
Read MoreRound 15 Review – League One Men’s
Round 15 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition saw even more surprise results, a last-minute winner for the competition leaders and a high-profile coaching casualty as we cross the halfway point of the season. Match of the Round: Hakoah FC 1-3 Inter Lions Inter Lions secured a third straight victory defeating Hakoah FC 3-1…
Read MoreManly Warringah FA Builds for the Future as 2026 Season Kicks Off
The Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) has officially launched its 2026 grassroots season alongside a new three-year strategy covering 2026 to 2028, setting a clear direction focused on strengthening community football, improving coach development, expanding pathways, and enhancing the organisation’s overall profile and leadership. The strategy is designed to build on the strong foundations of…
Read MoreClub Changer Club of the month for May – Maroubra United
Football NSW has named Maroubra United Football Club as its Club Changer Club of the Month for May, recognising the club’s outstanding commitment to creating a positive environment for players, volunteers, officials, and supporters. Club Changer is Football Australia’s Club Development Program, which aims to protect and enhance clubs to make them stronger and more…
Read MoreRound 7 Set to Deliver Cup Fireworks as Hahn Australia Cup Race Heats Up
The Round 7 Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Round fixtures have been confirmed following Friday’s draw, with four high-stakes clashes now set to decide which teams will progress to the coveted Round of 32. The winners will secure a place at the national stage of the Hahn Australia Cup, where they will not only face the…
Read MoreEOI Forms – National Fustal Championships 2027 Futsal State team coaches
Football NSW is inviting suitably qualified coaches to apply for several coaching positions in its Futsal State Team Metropolitan and Country Program for January 2027. The Football NSW Futsal State Team program provides players with the opportunity to compete at the FA National Futsal Championships (NFC) and be exposed to both the highest level of…
Read MoreEOI – Futsal Technical Lead – NFC State Team Program
Football NSW is seeking additional support through the appointment of Technical Leads to assist with our NFC Futsal State Team program. Football NSW is looking to engage expertise to contribute further resources, knowledge, and leadership to our state team program. This role is designed to further support the development of our NSW players and coaches…
Read MoreEastern Suburbs FA 2026 season off to strong start with growth across pathways
The 2026 season is officially underway across the Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA), with a series of key initiatives highlighting continued growth across youth development, women’s football and refereeing pathways. Eastern Suburbs Football Association CEO John Boulous said the association remains focused on creating meaningful opportunities across all levels of the game. “The Eastern Suburbs…
Read MoreBlacktown District SFA driving grassroots growth with major 2026 initiatives
Blacktown District Soccer Football Association (BDSFA) has outlined a series of key initiatives for 2026, with a strong focus on youth development, coach education and celebrating female participation as the grassroots season gets underway. The programs include the introduction of the Blacktown Youth Development League (BYDL), continued investment in free coach education for member clubs,…
Read MoreFinal Four Confirmed for Australia Cup Round 7 Showdown
The Hahn Australia Cup Round 6 Preliminary fixtures were finalised overnight, with the remaining four teams locking in their place in Round 7 — the final qualifying stage where winners will go on to represent Football NSW in the 2026 Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 where they will face potential A-League sides. Sydney United…
Read More2026 Football NSW Female Football Week Award Winners Announced
As part of Female Football Week celebrations, Football NSW has recognised outstanding individuals across the game, with Alana Zic (Female Referee of the Year), Farah Rahmati-Zaran (Female Coach of the Year), Leah Spaine (Female Player of the Year), Tamara Mulroney (Community Champion of the Year), and Dona D’Amico (Female Volunteer of the Year) all honoured…
Read MoreFrom NSW Pathways to the Big Stage: Isabella Mossin Earns Referee of the Year Honour
Leading NSW born Referee Isabella Mossin has capped off a remarkable rise through the officiating ranks, being crowned Ninja A-League Referee of the Year and earning appointment as the lead match official for this Saturday’s Grand Final between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park. At just 25 years of age, Mossin becomes the…
Read MoreRound 12 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 12 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition brings another exciting weekend of action and the final week of Female Football Week, which will help teams gain position in the chase for the top four. There are six games to run the rule over coming up on Sunday, headlined by the Match of…
Read MoreRound 15 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round 15 marks the halfway point of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season, with the race for second tightening by the week and the runaway league leader edging ever closer to promotion glory. Match of the Round: Dunbar Rovers FC vs Fraser Park FC Saturday, 16 May 2026 – 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports…
Read MoreRound 15 Preview – League One Men’s
Just eight games remain in the first half of the FNSW League One Men’s competition and, as such, they’re beginning to mean a little more with Round 15 to take place this weekend. Our Match of the Round takes us to Eastgardens while there’s a big Friday night of action on the cards across Sydney.…
Read MoreStrong NSW Representation in Football Australia AFC Futsal Level 2 Coach Program
As many as 10 emerging coaches from New South Wales were among participants in the Football Australia – AFC Futsal Level 2 course held at the Centre in Dural, joining coaches from across the country in an important step in their development journey. Strongly represented by NSW-based coaches from clubs across Football NSW competitions, the…
Read MoreFootball Canterbury Launches 2026 Walking Football Hub at Cooke Park
Football Canterbury is set to elevate its Walking Football offering in 2026, officially unveiling Cooke Park in South Strathfield/Belfield as the new home of its growing social football program. The centrally located venue on Chisholm Street will provide a purpose-built base for Walking Football participants from across Sydney, with strong numbers already travelling from multiple…
Read MoreFraser Park FC Host Club Capability Workshop Focused on Game-Based Learning
Fraser Park FC recently hosted a Club Capability workshop delivered by Jack Rolfe, challenging coaches to rethink session design and how it can deepen the impact on player development. Rolfe reinforced the principle that the game should drive the learning an approach aligned with the philosophy at Football NSW. Coaches were encouraged to ensure training…
Read MoreMacarthur Football Association Driving Growth On and Off the Field
Macarthur Football Association (MFA) continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading football associations in New South Wales through its ongoing investment in player development, coach education, and community football initiatives. A major milestone for the Association in 2025 has been the success of the Macarthur Talent Development Program (TDP), with 50 players…
Read MoreFrom NSW to Indonesia: Alexia Karrys-Stahl making her mark abroad
Football NSW Futsal Premier League Open Women’s talent Alexia Karrys-Stahl is continuing to make waves on the international stage, enjoying a standout start to her overseas futsal career with Indonesian side MSP Merdeka Juara. A proven performer in the Futsal scene, Karrys-Stahl who represented Australia’s Women’s Futsal side, highlighting her pedigree at both domestic and…
Read MoreRound 14 Review – League Two Men’s
The League Two Men’s competition continued to get tighter in Round 14 of the 2026 season, just three points separating 2nd from 8th as the competition inches nearer to the halfway mark. The Match of the Round this week saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC come from behind and continue their strong form away to Inner…
Read MoreRound 11 Review – League One Women’s
Round 11 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered another action-packed weekend, featuring exciting contests, dramatic momentum swings, and key results that continue to shape the ladder. Across six matches on Sunday, teams battled hard for crucial points, headlined by the Match of the Round between Sutherland Strikers FC and Blacktown Spartans FC.…
Read MoreRound 14 Review – League One Men’s
The promotion race and relegation battle continue to heat up as the temperature cools across the FNSW League One Men’s competition after 14 gripping rounds. Once again, several sides dropped points in the top four shake-up, with Bankstown City the only team in the leading pack to take maximum reward. At the other end, Inter…
Read MoreThe Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project: Football Associations Mobilise to Protect Local Clubs
The safety of players, coaches, volunteers, and spectators remains a central priority for sporting organisations across Australia. This commitment has taken a substantial leap forward through the Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project, an initiative designed to locate, register, and map Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across NSW sports facilities. The goal: ensure that lifesaving equipment…
Read MoreBig Wins and Cup Drama Define Sapphire Cup Round 4 Action
Round 4 of the Sapphire Cup delivered a spectacular mix of dominant victories, standout individual performances, and high-drama encounters as teams battled for progression in the prestigious knockout tournament. One of the most dominant displays came from Northern Tigers FC, who produced a ruthless attacking performance to defeat Central Coast Mariners 7-1 at North Turramurra…
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