Posts by Mark Stavroulakis
NSW Complete Championship Double at Emerging Socceroos Tournament
New South Wales have completed a remarkable clean sweep at the 2026 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships, with NSW Navy claiming the Under-16 Boys title and NSW Sky lifting the Under-15 Boys trophy on home soil at Valentine Sports Park. Adding to the occasion, Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic was in attendance for the finals, witnessing…
Read MoreFootball NSW Announces 2026 First Nations Scholarship Recipients
Football NSW has announced the recipients of its 2026 First Nations Scholarships, reinforcing its commitment to increasing participation, representation, and opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across all areas of the game. The scholarship program plays an important role in supporting First Nations participants by reducing financial and structural barriers, while also creating…
Read MorePositive Start for Northern Suburbs FA as Participation and Pathways Shine
The Northern Suburbs Football Association has enjoyed a positive and progressive start to the 2026 season, with strong momentum building both on and off the field across community football, infrastructure advocacy, and development pathways. A key focus for the association early in the year has been the ongoing push for improved facilities, highlighted by recent…
Read MoreRound 9 Preview – League One Women’s
Top Four Race Takes Centre Stage in League One Women’s Round 9 Round 9 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition shapes as a defining weekend in the race for finals, with crucial points on offer across a stacked Super Sunday. Six matches headline the action, including a blockbuster Match of the Round as…
Read MoreRound 12 Preview – League One Men’s
The big games in the FNSW League One Men’s competition just keep coming, with Round 12 set to take place across the Anzac Day weekend. Second-placed Northern Tigers travel to face Rydalmere Lions at the top of the table, while 14th meets 15th in a contest just as important at the bottom. Meanwhile, our cameras…
Read MoreRound 12 Preview – League Two Men’s
With nights getting colder, the football action is heating up in Round 12 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season, with a congested mid-season ladder presenting opportunities for many teams. Match of the Round: Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Dunbar Rovers FC Saturday, 25 April 2026 – 5:30pm, Christie Park Gladesville Ryde Magic will…
Read MoreYoung Talent Shines at Football NSW’s Junior Development Cup
Valentine Sports Park played host to the Junior Development Cup during the recent Easter holidays, bringing together teams from across the state for a two-day event centred on growth, enjoyment, and learning. Designed to complement regular season fixtures, the tournament environment offered players and coaches a unique opportunity to experience football in a different setting,…
Read MoreJDL Futsal Cup Draws Growing Participation Across NSW
The Football NSW-hosted JDL Futsal Cup continued to build momentum in April, as junior development league (JDL) clubs embraced the fast-paced indoor format at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope. Designed to introduce futsal into the JDL pathway, the tournament reflects Football NSW’s broader push to diversify development opportunities for young players. By incorporating futsal into its…
Read MoreRound 11 Review – League Two Men’s
Big results in the top half of the ladder saw the competition grow even closer following Round 11 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season. The Match of the Round this week saw Sydney University SFC continue their hunt to join that pack in a thrilling home win over Central Coast United FC.…
Read MoreRound 8 Review – League One Women’s
Round 8 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered another fascinating weekend of action, featuring big wins, exciting finishes, and plenty of passion as teams continued to jostle for position. There were six matches across the weekend, headlined by the Match of the Round between South Coast Flame FC and Newcastle Jets FC.…
Read MoreRound 11 Review – League One Men’s
All of the top four secured important victories in Round 11 of the Football NSW League One Men’s competition. They were joined by Macarthur Rams, who claimed bragging rights in the Macarthur derby, while it was a difficult weekend for sides battling near the bottom as the competition moves into the second third of the…
Read MoreRound 5 Set for Hahn Australia Cup as Upsets and Big Clashes Await
Round 5 of the Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds is locked in following the completion of the remaining Round 4 fixtures this week, with Marconi Stallions, Hakoah Sydney City East, Bulli FC, Shellharbour FC and Sydney CBD FC all progressing. The latest round delivered plenty of drama, headlined by a major upset at Barrack Heights,…
Read MoreNSW Sky U15s Crowned National Champions in Melbourne
New South Wales Sky Under 15 Girls have been crowned Champions at the 2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships in Melbourne, capping off a standout campaign with a commanding performance in the final. Selena Mifsud, Anabel Carbone and Rose Selimiotis were all on target as NSW defeated Football Queensland White to secure the national title, underlining…
Read MoreFootball4All Gala Day Returns to Celebrate Inclusion Across NSW
Football NSW is proud to host the 2026 Football4All Gala Day, a flagship inclusive community event dedicated to promoting participation, accessibility, and enjoyment of the game for people of all abilities. The Gala Day will take place on Sunday, 21 June 2026 at Valentine Sports Park, running from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The event is free…
Read MoreKaMana Workshops Empower Female Referees at Football NSW
Football NSW recently welcomed surf ironwoman and KaMana co-founder Lizzie Welborn to deliver a series of empowering workshops aimed at supporting the development of female referees. Held at Valentine Sports Park, the sessions were delivered to participants from both the Football NSW Referee Development Program (RDP) and the senior Referees Branch, focusing on key areas…
Read MoreRound 11 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round 11 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season sees teams hoping to catch the runaway leaders, with the headline action focusing on the other end of the ladder. Match of the Round: Sydney University SFC vs Central Coast United FC Saturday, 18th April 2026 – 5pm, Sydney University Football Ground Sydney University…
Read MoreRound 8 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 8 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition promises a big weekend of action that could shake up the current standings as we head into the third month of the season. There are six matches on the slate, including a blockbuster Match of the Round between leaders Newcastle Jets FC and fourth-placed South…
Read MoreState Cup Fever Returns as Record Participation Kicks Off Across NSW
he road to silverware begins this weekend as one of the state’s largest grassroots knockout competitions, the Football NSW State Cup, officially gets underway across New South Wales. Run by Football NSW, the State Cup, alongside the Robertson and Bill Cullinan Cups brings together association-based male and female club teams, as well as Country Association…
Read MoreRound 11 Preview – League One Men’s
Two local derbies headline Round 11 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition this weekend. One of which is our Match of the Round, with Macarthur Rams set to take on Bulls FC Academy, while Blacktown Spartans and Prospect United will unite for a special cause in their Friday night fixture. Match of the Round:…
Read MoreCommunity Rallies for “Vella Cup” Clash in Support of Local Family
A major night of football and community spirit is set to unfold this Friday, 17 April, as Blacktown Spartans take on Prospect United in a highly anticipated Football NSW League One Men’s local derby. The match, kicking off at 8:15pm at Blacktown Football Park, has been officially dubbed the Vella Cup, transforming what is already…
Read MoreRound 10 Review – League Two Men’s
The runaway leader continued to assert themself following Round 10 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season, while across the league late goals were scored. The Match of the Round this week saw Dunbar Rovers FC win the contest in the last moments to overcome Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC. Saturday, 11 April…
Read MoreRound 7 Review – League One Women’s
Round 7 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered a full menu of goals and drama for fans to feast on in a Super Sunday. There are six games to review this weekend, headlined by the Match of the Round between Bankstown City Lions FC and Central Coast Mariners FC. Let’s get into…
Read MoreRound 10 Review – League One Men’s
Round 10 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition delivered plenty of movement across the ladder as the season reached the one-third mark. The Match of the Round saw Newcastle Jets extend their unbeaten run with another three points, while elsewhere Blacktown Spartans claimed top spot with a statement win and Canterbury Bankstown took derby…
Read MoreRound 9 Review – League One Men’s
Round nine of the FNSW League One Men’s saw movement at the top and bottom of the table as we entered the third month of the campaign. Our match of the round saw Blacktown Spartans continue their positive run of form. Elsewhere, Bankstown City won their sixth straight game and Dulwich Hill climbed out of…
Read MoreRound 8 Review – League One Men’s
Just one game was decided by more than a single goal in Round Eight of the FNSW League One Men’s competition, played across Friday and Saturday. Rydalmere Lions claimed the Match of the Round honours with a hard-fought win over Western City Rangers, while Bankstown City, Dulwich Hill and Blacktown Spartans also secured maximum points…
Read MoreRound 7 Review – League One Men’s
There was drama aplenty in Round Seven of the FNSW League One Men’s competition this weekend as we approach the end of the second month. A last-minute equaliser kept Northern Tigers undefeated across seven rounds, while Prospect United picked up their first win of the season elsewhere. Match of the Round: Northern Tigers 1-1 Hills…
Read MoreRound 3 Review – League One Women’s
Round 3 of the Football NSW League One Women’s delivered plenty of drama and excitement as teams continued to find their rhythm early in the season. Across six matches played over Saturday and Sunday, fans were treated to high-intensity contests, dramatic goals, and moments of individual brilliance. The Match of the Round saw Blacktown Spartans…
Read MoreRound 5 Review – League Two Men’s
Round 5 of the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s competition delivered another dramatic weekend of action, with several statement victories, the fall of previously unbeaten sides and goals flowing across the league. The standout clash came in the Match of the Round where Nepean FC continued their remarkable start to the season, remaining the…
Read MoreRound 2 Review – League One Women’s
Round 2 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition delivered another action-packed weekend as goals flowed across the league and several sides made early statements in the race for points. Five matches were contested, headlined by the Match of the Round between Blacktown City FC and Nepean FC, with late drama, hat-tricks and high-scoring…
Read MoreRound 1 Review – League One Women’s
Round 1 of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition kicked off with a bang, delivering goals, drama and statement performances across a blockbuster Super Sunday. Six sides opened their campaigns with victories in an action-packed start to 2026. Here’s how the opening weekend unfolded. Match of the Round Blacktown Spartans FC 6–1 Inter Lions…
Read MoreRound 4 Review – League One Men’s
Round Four of the FNSW League One Men’s competition delivered goals, drama and late heartbreak, with all but one side finding the back of the net across a gripping weekend of action. With six winners across two massive days, momentum is beginning to build and storylines are starting to take shape. Let’s dive into the…
Read MoreRound 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.…
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