There was plenty for the Bankstown football community to celebrate this week as our representative teams proudly showcased the talent, passion and spirit of local football at the Football NSW Association Championships in Mudgee.
Held from 7–9 July, the championships brought together representative teams from football associations across New South Wales, giving young players the opportunity to compete against some of the state’s best while proudly representing their local football community.
Selected from players across Bankstown District Football Association’s 19 affiliated clubs, four representative teams travelled to Mudgee to wear the green and gold in the Under 13 Boys, Under 14 Boys, Under 14 Girls and Under 15 Girls competitions.
The results speak for themselves.
Three Teams Reach the Knockout Finals
In an outstanding achievement, three of Bankstown’s four representative teams progressed to the qualifying finals, with the Under 13 Boys, Under 14 Boys and Under 14 Girls all advancing to the knockout stage.
Competing against many of the state’s largest football associations, Bankstown’s players demonstrated exceptional skill, resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament, proving the strength of football development across our local clubs.
While the results were impressive, the championships were about much more than wins and losses.
For many players, it was the first opportunity to play alongside talented footballers from other Bankstown clubs, united by one badge and one goal—representing their community with pride.
The experience created lifelong memories for players, coaches and families alike, while showcasing the strong football culture that continues to thrive across the Bankstown district.
More Than a Team. One Football Community
Association Tournament Technical Director Josh Wells praised the commitment shown by everyone involved throughout the campaign.
“It has been a fantastic couple of days here in Mudgee. The positive vibe from everyone from the time we arrived has been tremendous.
There were so many brilliant performances over the last two days, and that’s a credit to the hard work of our coaches over the past few months. There was a real connection within the teams, thanks to the commitment of our coaches and managers.
The support from families was incredible, with so many staying to watch and cheer on every Bankstown team, regardless of who was playing. I’m already excited about building on this year’s performance and continuing to grow the program.”
Josh also acknowledged the enormous contribution of volunteers, particularly Leanne, whose work behind the scenes helped make the representative campaign possible.
A Tournament to Remember
Under 14 and Under 15 Girls coach Rachel Lombe said the tournament was a memorable experience for everyone involved.
“To have all four teams there and three make the knockout rounds is something we should all be incredibly proud of.
The players absolutely loved the experience. They gave everything they had all weekend, and you could see the effort, heart and pride every time they stepped onto the field representing Bankstown. They should all be proud of what they achieved.”
Bankstown Referees Represent with Pride
The championships also highlighted the quality of Bankstown’s referee development, with four local match officials selected to officiate throughout the tournament.
Congratulations to:
- Lukas Bayley
- Leon Panopoulos
- Kaylah McMahon
- Jacinta Aoun
Their selection is a fantastic achievement and reflects the important role referees play in the continued growth of football across our district.
Building the Future of Bankstown Football
The Football NSW Association Championships provided more than just high-quality competition, it gave young players the chance to create friendships, learn from experienced coaches, challenge themselves against strong opposition and proudly represent their football community.
Most importantly, it demonstrated what makes football in Bankstown so special.
When players, coaches, referees, volunteers and families from 19 clubs come together under one badge, they represent something much bigger than themselves.
Congratulations to every player, coach, manager, referee, volunteer and family member who represented Bankstown District Football Association in Mudgee. You have done our football community proud.
