Australian clubs begin second phase of selection process for National Second Tier

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Image credit: Football Australia/Brett Costello

24 clubs will participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the National Second Tier (NST) selection process, as Football Australia edges closer to an official start date for the competition.

Only two or four clubs will join the eight foundation clubs for the inaugural competition, which is planned to start in March/April 2025.

Within their submission, clubs will need to demonstrate their operational and commercial readiness, alignment with strategic objectives, and a commitment to developing talent and engaging communities.

To assess clubs’ financial readiness, Football Australia has again sought the services of Australian financial services firm, BDO, to deliver analysis that will be crucial to the sustainability of the NST and its member clubs.

Clubs must submit their RFP by mid-April for assessment. The ‘Completion Phase’, where potential clubs will learn their fate, has been set for June 2024.

Speaking via press release, Football Australia CEO James Johnson believes the refined second phase represents a great opportunity for Australian football clubs.

“The RFP phase is a cornerstone in our journey towards a more dynamic and competitive National Second Tier as we look for clubs which will elevate the game, contribute to their communities, and embody the spirit of inclusivity and excellence,” Johnson said.

Football Australia is yet to decide on the format for the inaugural competition, which will be affected by whether it chooses two or four teams from the RFP phase. The two proposed formats are:

  • A 10-team competition with two rounds plus a Finals Series, totalling 18 regular season matches.
  • A 12-team competition with two rounds plus a Finals Series, totalling 22 regular season matches.

Last November, eight clubs from New South Wales and Victoria were successful in the first phase of the NST selection phase. These clubs include:

New South Wales

  • APIA Leichhardt FC
  • Marconi Stallions FC
  • Sydney Olympic FC
  • Sydney United 58 FC
  • Wollongong Wolves FC

Victoria

  • Avondale FC
  • Preston Lions FC
  • South Melbourne FC

Clubs from states outside New South Wales and Victoria will be hopeful of their inclusion to make the second tier truly national, but as CEO Johnson eludes, the selection process will not be sentimental.

“Our goal is clear: to identify clubs that align with our strategic objectives and are ready to rise to the occasion. The clubs that join us in this journey will play a crucial role in enriching the tapestry of Australian football,” Johnson added via media release.

The NST represents an exciting opportunity for Australian football to evolve on an unprecedented scale. Football fans should be reassured by Football Australia’s commitment to delivering a careful and considered selection process that ensures the safety of Australia’s most significant football institutions.

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Creativity, wellbeing and benchmarking: Football NSW launches 2026 Girls Youth League season

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Over 200 technical directors and coaches descended on Valentine Sports Park this weekend to launch the 2026 Girls Youth League (GYL) and Girls Junior Development League (GJDL) season.

Two core themes dominated the conference: cultivating player creativity and integrating structured wellbeing programs.

Football Australia National Team Coaches Mike Cooper and Alex Epakis led the technical delivery. The duo ran practical sessions focused on intervention methods and decision-making. Their presence ensures the state league speaks the same tactical language as the national pathways.

Benchmarking the Future

The operational spotlight fell on the Club Standards & Benchmarking Framework. Now entering its third year, the policy carries significant weight. Football NSW briefed clubs on how 2026 performance metrics will directly dictate competition structures for 2027.

Football NSW Club Technical Development Manager Neil Mann emphasised the shift away from pure results-based assessment.

“The success of a youth development program should not be determined solely by league outcomes,” Mann said.

“It provides guiding principles to help clubs create positive environments… while allowing clubs to retain their own identity.”

Person First, Player Second

Wellbeing professional Holly Fuda delivered the keynote address. She challenged directors to embed mental health strategies into daily training, rather than treating them as tokenistic add-ons.

Football NSW Head of Football Development Ed Ferguson reinforced this cultural shift.

“The curiosity and contribution across both days is testament to our ecosystem,” Ferguson said.

“Every club in attendance highlighted their responsibility to develop better individuals through football. That puts us in a strong position to create environments built on trust.”

Indonesian Consul General hosted in WA by Football West

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Image Credit: Football West

Football West has moved to strengthen its strategic footprint in Southeast Asia, hosting a high-level diplomatic delegation at the Sam Kerr Football Centre this week.

The newly appointed Consul General of Indonesia to Western Australia, Irvan Buchari, and Consul for Information and Cultural Social Affairs, Antonius Prawira Yudianto, met with Football West executives to map out the next phase of the state’s Asian Engagement Strategy.

Facilitated by Indonesia Institute President and former professional footballer Robbie Gaspar, the dialogue focused on leveraging the “world game” to deepen the sister-state relationship between Western Australia and East Java. This partnership was commercially validated last July during the historic exhibition match between the WA Men’s State Team and Liga 1 giants Persebaya Surabaya.

Operationalising Sports Diplomacy

Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell, who hosted the delegation alongside COO Perry Ielati, emphasised that the visit was about operationalising future opportunities rather than just a ceremonial tour.

“Football West has built very strong ties with Indonesia over the past decade… especially with our sister state East Java,” Harnwell said.

“We have sent many senior and junior sides to compete in Indonesia and hosted visiting teams. These occasions are great sporting and cultural experiences and help build mutual understanding and friendships.”

The meeting highlights the increasing role of sports diplomacy in state government relations. The Persebaya fixture notably attracted WA Premier Roger Cook and East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono, proving football’s unique capacity to open doors in the region.

Mr Gaspar, a key architect of the relationship, noted the potential for future growth.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Football West to grow the relationship and build meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships with Indonesia,” Gaspar said. “Football is such a powerful platform for connection, trust, and long-term collaboration between our two countries.”

Football West acknowledges the vital backing of the WA Government in driving this strategy, ensuring the code remains a central pillar of Western Australia’s international outreach.

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