Australian NPL clubs persevere through COVID restrictions

The COVID-19 pandemic has put an immense strain on football clubs worldwide, and Australia is no exception. From stop-start seasons, stifled player development, and clubs being put under financial stress, National Premier League (NPL) clubs have faced some of their biggest challenges.

Bentleigh Greens are one of many clubs hit by lockdowns and postponements, as they have seen the second NPL Victoria season in a row disrupted by the pandemic. Bentleigh Greens President Trifon Rellos has seen his team heavily affected by this.

“Financially game takings are gone, canteens are gone. Now with the junior programs, we have with the mini roos and NPL kids we don’t know the parents are going to ask for, whether they want their money back,” he said.

“The impact has been massive, but not just financially.”

Not every club and league has been heavily impacted. Edgeworth Eagles Football Director and Treasurer, Warren Mills, explains that the Further Northern New South Wales region has managed to avoid the worst of the pandemic.

“Newcastle has been a lot less impacted than others. Last year was pretty horrendous obviously, we started later but we managed to get in a competition, playing our competition plus finals,” he said.

“This year we’ve got two rounds to go. To be fair we’ve been much luckier than others.”

In contrast with other clubs in New South Wales and Victoria, Warren believes that the amateur status of the Newcastle clubs has helped weather financial strain.

“Financially it hasn’t been a massive drain on us. We are more amateur than Sydney or Melbourne, in terms of wages paid out. Its smashed those clubs a lot more.” he said.

The season will be completed once restrictions in the Hunter region are eased, with one advantage they have over other areas being that they rarely share grounds with summer sports.

“I don’t think there is anybody who doesn’t have their own ground in Newcastle,” he said.

“We have the potential to host the grand final this year, and we’ve just got a new 1.1 million dollar clubhouse. Newcastle is very lucky that way.”

Football Victoria recently agreed to a ground-sharing agreement with Cricket Victoria, in an attempt to alleviate this issue if the season is restarted.

For regional NPL clubs in Victoria, they have been in and out of lockdown more than anywhere in the country. For the Goulburn Valley Suns, their season has been disrupted by not only state-wide lockdowns, but also a major outbreak within the city of Shepparton.

Goulburn Valley head coach Craig Carley believes that players at the club are uniting together through the hardship.

“We don’t know what’s going on at the moment, but we need to try to tick over. Previously we were able to do that as a team because the metropolitan area was in lockdown, the last couple of weeks it’s been individual training,” he said.

“We’ve got players posting times on runs and activities that they are doing. It’s been good from a team point of view with players pushing each other and staying connected, even though everyone is in lockdown. The longer that goes on the hard that is going to get.”

Rellos fears that these disruptions could cause setbacks for some of the most talented players at Bentleigh Greens.

“It’s a sad situation that we are in for our children, and our young senior soccer players. We need to remember that the boys that are playing under 16s and 18s and talented, and they are just about to break into that senior team,” he said.

“I think this year is worse than last year. Those boys and their careers have been cut short by coronavirus. These kids need to break into the senior team, god knows if they will. Some might lose interest and not come back as football players.”

For others, they can only appreciate that their seasons and clubs have only had minor disruptions.

“In Newcastle, we’ve been so blessed. I don’t know how we’ve hardly had a case while we are so close to Sydney. It hasn’t the impact on us that a lot of areas have.” Warren said.

Every state has had different challenges they have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. For NPL clubs in New South Wales and Victoria, some are facing the biggest in their history. Most are looking forward to next season, hoping for the light at the end of the tunnel following these hard times.

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Inaugural Female Referee Mentoring Program Launched by Football NSW

Football NSW has launched the Female Referees Mentoring Program, a groundbreaking initiative which aims to support and develop  female referees throughout the state.

This unique program builds on the groundwork set by recent NSW Football Legacy scholarship initiatives, continuing to create opportunities and support greater gender diversity in football officiating.

It’s another strong example of Football NSW’s ongoing commitment to developing and supporting female referees.

Football NSW’s Referees Development & Education Manager Emma Kocbek highlighted the organisation’s commitment to empowering female referees through mentorship, fostering inclusion and strengthening the game with greater diversity.

“Football NSW is committed to creating an inclusive environment that encourages women to thrive in all aspects of the game,” Kocbek said in a press release.

“This mentoring program is a significant step forward in empowering female referees, providing them with the tools, confidence, and mentorship needed to succeed at higher levels.

“We believe that diverse refereeing panels lead to a more dynamic, fair, and engaging game for everyone.”

The Mentoring Program is designed to support Level 3 and Level 4 female referees by connecting them with experienced mentors.

Through tailored guidance, real-world advice, and ongoing support, participants will grow their skills, build confidence, and develop as leaders on and off the field.

This support will help them advance in their refereeing careers while also playing a part in encouraging more women to get involved in officiating—across NSW and beyond.

This innovative initiative is part of Football NSW’s wider commitment to increasing female involvement and leadership at all levels of the game.

By backing and developing female referees, Football NSW hopes to inspire more women to take up officiating and help build a football community that is more inclusive, diverse, and representative of everyone who loves the game.

Football NSW’s Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd emphasised that ongoing government funding is vital to grow mentoring programs, boost referee numbers, and build a stronger, more supportive sporting community.

“Government funding plays a crucial role in the successful implementation and growth of the mentoring programs,” Todd said in a press release.

“As participation numbers continue to rise, sustained investment is essential to ensure we are not only increasing the number of referees but also enhancing their skills and confidence.

“By prioritising this investment, we can build a more robust and well-supported sporting community that benefits players, coaches, and referees alike.”

In the coming weeks, Football NSW will be working closely with Referee Branches to identify both mentors and mentees for the program.

This project is proudly backed by the NSW Office of Sport through the NSW Football Legacy Program, and by the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care through its Play Our Way Program.

Football Victoria unveils CoacHER Pathway Program

Football Victoria (FV) proudly launched the CoacHER Pathway Program at The Home of the Matildas on May 10, marking a significant milestone for women in coaching, the largest female-only coaching course ever delivered in the state.

More than 85 passionate women came together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. The CoacHER initiative is all about breaking down the barriers women face in coaching, while building a supportive, long-term development pathway for both new and experienced female coaches.

Coach Education Coordinator Emily Sutcliffe reflected on the launch, and its aim to build a sense of community, confidence, and belonging among women in football.

“Seeing such a large group of women all in one space, learning and supporting one another, was incredibly powerful,” she said via press release.

“The day was more than just technical training — it was about creating an environment where women felt genuinely seen, heard, and valued. In a powerful moment, two participants approached staff in tears, overwhelmed by the sense of belonging in a space filled with like-minded women who share their passion for football.

“For many of these women, this was the first time they’d ever been in a coaching space surrounded entirely by other women. It’s hard to put into words how meaningful that is.

“One coach shared her journey in football, recalling the challenges she faced when coaching her son’s team – including repeated derogatory comments questioning her capability simply because she was female. She shared with tutors that this was the first time in years, she felt truly supported.”

Nearly 72 women proudly completed their Foundation of Football course, while 15 advanced coaches took part in FV’s first-ever in-person, female-only CPD workshop, themed ‘Match Day’. The CoacHER Pathway Program is open to women of all ages and experience levels — from seasoned coaches to current players and those completely new to coaching.

Participants also had the special opportunity to attend the Melbourne Victory FC semi-final the past weekend, further strengthening bonds and creating space for meaningful conversations among women in the football community.

With only 14% of coaches in Victoria identifying as female, CoacHER is a key part of FV’s commitment to achieving gender equity in football.

The program is designed to:

  • Remove financial and accessibility barriers to coaching education and CPD
  • Boost female representation across all levels of football — from grassroots to elite
  • Provide meaningful mentorship, peer support, and networking opportunities

“Visibility is critical,” Sutcliffe continued via press release.

“The more women we see in coaching roles, the more we inspire the next generation of girls to step up — not just as players, but as leaders in our game.”

Saturday’s launch was just the beginning. FV is committed to delivering more female-only coaching programs, expanding the CoacHER network, and ensuring every woman involved in football has the opportunity to thrive. With the help of the Growing Football Fund, this program was able to come to life, proudly supported by Football Australia and CommBank.

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