Football SA confirms Two New Teams for HPG Homes State League 2

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Football South Australia has confirmed the inclusion of Para Hills East SC and Sturt Marion Thunder SC in the HPG Homes State League 2 competition from the 2027 season, following approval by the Football SA Board this week.

The announcement continues the planned expansion of State League 2 into a North and South conference system, each comprising twelve teams. This season already welcomed Angle Vale SC, Barossa United, Elizabeth Downs and Plympton Bulldogs into the competition, with both new clubs having established themselves early in the 2026 campaign. With Para Hills East and Sturt Marion Thunder now confirmed, two positions remain available for the 2027 intake.

Football SA General Manager of Football Operations George Georganas said the expansion reflected the strength of clubs across the state ready to take the next step into semi-professional football.

“The inclusion of Para Hills East SC and Sturt Marion Thunder SC is another important milestone in that journey and reflects the strength of clubs seeking to take the next step into semi-professional senior football, while also providing a complete pathway for junior players to progress into the elite levels of the game,” Georganas said.

Para Hills East SC Chairman Aaron Smith said the club was eager to bring its culture to a wider football community, while Sturt Marion Thunder SC Chairman Binny Moon described the confirmation as an important step in building a sustainable and respected club within the Football SA system.

The expansion provides aspiring clubs with a structured pathway into the state’s semi-professional environment while strengthening junior development pipelines at community level.

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Football West hosts Papua Football Academy as Asian ties deepen

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Image Credit: Football West

Football West has hosted members of the Papua Football Academy from Indonesia on an eleven-day exchange visit to Perth, marking a significant step in the governing body’s Asian Engagement Strategy and demonstrating football’s capacity to build meaningful cross-cultural relationships across the region.

Supported by the WA Government, the visit brought 60 players aged 13 to 15 from across Papua province to train alongside Football West Academy players and local clubs, including Perth Azzurri and Perth Glory. The group also attended A-League and New Balance NPL WA matches, toured Optus Stadium, visited the WA Institute of Sport, ECU Joondalup and John Curtin College of Arts, and met with the Indonesian Consulate General in Perth.

“Football West is committed to leading football diplomacy in the region, and this program is a great example of football’s power to connect people, build relationships and create genuine pathways,” said Football West Asian Engagement Advisor Robbie Gaspar. “It’s all about the people-to-people connections”.

 

Leading initiatives

Established in 2022 through a partnership between PT Freeport Indonesia and the Football Association of Indonesia, the Papua Football Academy provides high-performance training, education and welfare support for talented young players from one of Indonesia’s most geographically remote provinces. The program has quickly become one of Indonesia’s leading youth development initiatives, with ambitions to build international connections through training camps, matches and partnerships.

Papua Football Academy Director Wolfgang Pikal said the visit had provided his players and coaches with a standard of facilities and competition exposure unavailable at home. “We have nothing like this in Papua,” he said. “It has allowed the coaches to learn something new and for the kids to measure themselves against young players in Perth.”

Pikal flagged hopes of placing two or three players in Perth competitions in the future as the partnership develops.

BDAFA emphasies youth and community through football initiatives

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Image credit: Football NSW

As the 2026 grassroots season begins, Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) commenced a series of initiatives to underline the importance of community, youth participation and inclusivity.

Accessible, affordable, enjoyable

The work of BDAFA highlights the core values which uphold grassroots football in Australia.

Bringing the community together, creating inclusive environments, and keeping the game affordable are all at the forefront of recent initiatives.

As a result, the 2026 season promises to be a huge success for all involved – from players to volunteers.

“At the heart of everything BDAFA does is our community,” said General Manager, Leanne Millar, via press release.

“This season, we’re proud to be keeping football affordable for our children and creating competitions where everyone feels welcome to be part of the game.”

The vision to ensure football remains accessible – whether socially or financially – is behind BDAFA’s work. Providing free footballs for kindergarten students, and capping registration fees for 6 and 7-year-olds at $50 highlight the organisation’s commitment to the grassroots landscape in the region.

 

Creating a home for all

Moreover, supporting drives to increase participation in the local community – from young people to Over-35s, is the recently established Bankstown “Home of Football.”

But while a multi-purpose facility and synthetic pitch are welcome additions to the local infrastructure, their value goes far deeper.

The “Home of Football” is not just a venue for the game itself, but a place where all can come together through a shared love of football.

“The development of Bankstown’s Home of Football is one of the most significant milestones in the association’s history,” continued Millar.

“The synthetic pitch has been in use for the past three years, and now, with the completion of the building, we have a truly multi-purpose venue that will serve not only our football community but the wider community as well.”

Grassroots is the foundation of the game we love.

Thankfully, BDAFA is making sure it has a sustainable and successful future ahead.

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