City of Canada Bay Council waive field hire costs

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Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA) clubs have been given relief following the decision by the City of Canada Bay Council to waive ground hire costs.

The move was made in an effort to lessen the financial burden on CDSFA clubs who have been heavily affected by the impact of COVID-19 enforced lockdowns.

The substantial support from the Canada Bay Council comes at a critical time for community football during this difficult period, in the lead up to the 2022 season following yet another interrupted year due to the pandemic.

“Our local football clubs have done it tough over the past 18 months and I’m thrilled that we are able to provide fee relief to ensure that, when these current lockdowns lift, local football clubs are ready to get back on the field,” City of Canada Bay Council Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.

“I can’t wait to see football back in action in the City of Canada Bay – seeing friends and families throughout our community back on our fields.

“I hope that this support from the City of Canada Bay will help local clubs bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge highlighted his support for the action, delivered by the City of Canada Bay Council.

“Well done to the City of Canada Bay Council for showing its support behind our code in what have been tough times due to the pandemic,” he said.

“It’s announcements such as this from the City of Canada Bay Council that go a very long way in assuring our football community are aided in their push towards kicking off the 2022 season on the right foot.”

Canterbury District Soccer Football Association CEO Ian Holmes was appreciative with the ongoing support of the Mayor in his efforts to assist each club.

“The CDSFA wants to thank Mayor Angelo Tsirekas for steering this through Council,” he said.

“The City of Canada Bay Council remains an LGA focussed on the local community and recognises the vital role of community sport.

“Mayor Angelo and Council have always respected our five clubs and the club volunteers. The financial relief provided is greatly appreciated.”

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Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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