APL confirms expansion of the A-League with two new clubs joining by 2024

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A-League expansion
Image credit: Kritsana Laroque / Shutterstock.com

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have confirmed that Canberra and Auckland will be the A-Leagues’ preferred markets for the next round of expansion for the 2024-2025 season.

The decision was based on judging key criteria in areas such as potential fan-base, appropriate stadia, whether or not it would cannibalise existing fans and expanding the competitions’ footprint.

The A-League Men’s competition is set to further expand by the 2025-2026 season, with a further two teams to join the league. Expansion candidates are understood to include a second team in Brisbane, Wollongong, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Tasmania.

“We’re focused on building really strong sustainable clubs into the future, and we definitely think Canberra and Auckland fit that bill,” APL CEO Danny Townsend said.

“We want to go and look at all the things that you need to deliver a really successful football club… so we can sort of build a club in a box, and then find the right owner for the box.

“We’ve got under-served markets as the priority in this round…next round… we’re certainly looking at derbies (as a reason for expansion).”

Danny Townsend
Danny Townsend addressed the media regarding the latest expansion.

AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas, in response to the A-Leagues announcement, stated to Soccerscene:

“The A-Leagues have always said they want to expand, so I understand their decision in that context,” he said.

“Having said that, that was before the new NSD was firmly in the works and it comes at a time when Football Australia has also flagged it aims to expand the number of strong clubs in the country, by means of a new national second tier. 

“In doing that, Football Australia has called for EOI’s from clubs with a demonstrated tradition and contribution to the game with a connection to their community – whereas the A-League is proposing to expand by creating new, private entities and then deciding on a location or territory for them. 

“My concern is about how the two diametrically opposite, and perhaps competing, approaches to building strong clubs will be incorporated into a coherent strategy, allowing unification of our tiers consistent with FA’s stated objectives.” 

Canberra will be returning to the national men’s top league for the first time in over 20 years with the Cosmos folding in 2001, while the Auckland-based Football Kings folded back in 2004.

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Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Launches Youth League and Poaching Program

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Blacktown District Soccer Football Association has outlined a package of initiatives for the 2026 season centred on youth development, coach education and the celebration of female participation, as the Western Sydney association moves to raise standards across community football and strengthen pathways into state-level competition.

The centrepiece of the association’s development agenda is the Blacktown Youth Development League, a new competition structure spanning all youth Division One competitions in the Under-13 to Under-18 age groups, including Phoenix League female competitions involving both BDSFA and GDSFA clubs. The league applies a benchmarking framework adapted from Football NSW‘s junior competition standards, with clubs encouraged to implement structured training environments including a minimum of two sessions per week where possible.

BDSFA General Manager Owen Liiv said the initiative responded to clear demand from within the football community for more substantive development environments.

“It is pretty clear that people want more and better football experiences,” Liiv said. “The measure for us is high-quality youth football competitions within Blacktown and ultimately, stronger performances in state-wide competitions such as the Football NSW State Cup or Football NSW Champion of Champions.”

The referees branch will support the league by prioritising Division One fixtures and providing three-person match control where available, an operational commitment that acknowledges the role officiating quality plays in the overall development environment.

The Managerial Infrastructure

Running alongside the youth competition is a free coach education program, with Foundation of Football courses delivered across BDSFA’s 24 member clubs by permanent association staff. With more than 1,000 registered coaches across the district, BDSFA has set a target of 85 percent achieving Foundation of Football accreditation within three years. Removing cost as a barrier to accreditation is a deliberate structural choice, reflecting growing recognition across Australian football that coaching quality at community level is inseparable from participation outcomes.

The association also launched Female Football Week with a “Cocktails on the Pitch” event at Blacktown Football Park, attended by close to 100 players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers. Former Matilda Leah Blayney addressed the gathering, speaking about her pathway from Wentworth Falls to international football. BDSFA has indicated the event is likely to become an annual fixture on the association calendar.

Taken together, the initiatives reflect an association investing deliberately in the structural conditions that determine whether community football grows sustainably rather than opportunistically.

Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

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