ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURNS IN 2026
For the first time since 2011, Associations within Football NSW will have the opportunity in 2026 to field true representative teams when the Association Championships are conducted in Mudgee in July.
Inter-district football has largely been a forgotten piece of a lengthy and successful football history within NSW. It produced the players that took the Socceroos to their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 1974, and players that reignited that appearance run just twenty years ago.
Unfortunately, since the amalgamation of the NSW Amateur Soccer Federation and the NSW Soccer Federation a little over twenty years ago, Football NSW has progressively encroached on the community level of the game. What were once strong, Inter-District and Representative football competitions between Associations have been gradually eliminated. The last actual association representative competition was the Metropolitan League conducted for junior boys in 2011.
This shift has been framed as the expansion of “elite pathways” and “programs”. Still, the practical effect has been a hollowing out of community football structure, diverting players, coaches, referees, and resources away from local competitions into club competitions administered by Football NSW. It has come at a significant direct expense of the community game.
Football Canterbury has been a continuing advocate for the return of representative football. To provide community players the opportunity to remain with their Club – their home – and also be rewarded with selection for their District. And in our case, the chance to don the traditional Royal Blue and Gold of Football Canterbury.
With the inaugural Association Championships being conducted in July 2026, Football NSW have listened to the grassroots masses and delivered what we all hope will build into a successful sustained representative event seeing the best of all football associations participate.
Since 1938, when the Association won its first State Championship in the Under 18 division, Football Canterbury (then known as Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association) has collected fifty-four (54) State Championship titles. This was across Under 10 to All Age Men divisions. The last title in 1989 in the Under 11s.
In 2026, both male and female community football players and team officials will have the opportunity for selection in each of the four teams Football Canterbury are entering.
Under 13 and Under 14 Boys
Under 14 and Under 15 Girls
Additionally, identified youth referees will be selected to attend the Association Championships to gain advanced education while providing the teams with quality officiating.
Football Canterbury is excited about this return to representative football and will be encouraging is growth into additional age groups as the Association Championships gains momentum.
During the 2026 Winter season registration period, namely January-February, players and team officials that have registered for a Football Canterbury participating club are to keep an eye on the Association’s social media, eDM announcements, and their own club communications for nomination and trial information.
Coaching EOIs are expected to open in early February, with a C Diploma a requirement as well as being registered to actively coach a team within the Association for 2026.
Player and Manager EOIs are also expected during February. A reminder, players also need to be registered to play for a club within Football Canterbury.
It’s now time for all within the Association – Clubs, Officials, Players – to work together to build a successful representative program back to Football Canterbury.
