Football NSW confirms the return of futsal in 2021

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Futsal competitions are set to return across NSW this year with Football NSW announcing two competitions in conjunction with various Futsal Premier League clubs, alongside two Football NSW affiliates PCYC Marrickville and The Centre Dural.

This news comes off the back off the unfortunate development that the usual Futsal Premier Leagues competitions for 2021 have officially been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Football NSW has been working closely with Local Futsal Affiliates, who have thrown its support behind running and delivering competitions which will once again see players return to venues and participating in the sport of futsal.

PCYC Marrickville is excited to serve the futsal community by hosting junior competitions only consisting of several clubs, including Football NSW Futsal Premier League teams kicking off this weekend on Sunday October 31 and will run up to December 19.

The competition has been set for eight rounds providing a good array of young talent from the Under 8’s right through to the Under 13’s age grades for both boys and girls.

In addition, The Centre Dural has announced its competition will mirror Football NSW’s Futsal Premier League structure by providing age grades from the Under 10’s Boys and Girls right through to the senior men & women.

This competition will be played on Saturdays starting on October 30 and will run until December 18, consisting of four Futsal Premier League clubs.

In a statement, Football NSW Futsal Manager Jordan Guerreiro was delighted to see the sport given the green light to have competitions run once more, considering the heartache during the last two years due to the pandemic.

“I am extremely excited and proud that we have been able to engage with key members of our Futsal community to get Futsal up and running again in 2021,” he said.

“It’s been a difficult period as most can imagine with all the unknown information and protocols with the return to community sport along with the Public Health Order from the NSW Government during our lockdowns.

“A considerable amount of effort has gone into providing opportunities where we can ensure that our Futsal community can come back and play our wonderful game in the best and most efficient way possible. We are prioritising the safety of the participants in coordination with our Futsal affiliates and Futsal clubs through Covid Compliance to the NSW PHO.

“We viewed this opportunity with two of our Affiliates reaching out to provide this opportunity to showcase what Futsal means to the community and the clubs involved. It was necessary to provide these competitions at this time of the year as it plays an integral role to the development of our sport and players.

“We view this opportunity as a Futsal fiesta type of environment where all our players can have fun playing the sport with their teammates as well as enjoying the atmosphere in celebrating Futsal as a game and developing their ability and potential.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank all key members who were involved in this process in having these competitions commence in what have been unprecedented times for all in our sport.

“Good luck to all clubs and affiliates involved in getting their respective competitions up and running in what will be a solid 2021 season for all involved.”

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Football Victoria Backs Campaign to Shield Junior Players from Gambling Harm

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More than 600 sporting clubs across Victoria have enrolled in a state government program designed to limit young players’ exposure to gambling, with Football Victoria now urging its community clubs to join before a late-July registration deadline.

The Love the Game initiative asks clubs to formally commit to a set of principles: refusing sports betting sponsorships, developing internal harm prevention policies, and building environments where coaches, parents and players are equipped to discuss gambling risks with children.

The program’s public health rationale has a sharper statistical edge than its community-facing materials suggest. A 2025 study of Victorian secondary school students aged 12 to 17 found that nearly 30% had gambled at some point, and among those who had gambled in the past year, 7.5% met the criteria for problem-gambling and a further 26.8% were classified as ‘at-risk’. The research, commissioned by the state government and published earlier this year, also found that students exposed to gambling venues and advertising were more likely to gamble or to do so in a risky manner.

The most recent Victorian Population Gambling Study found that Victorians aged 18 to 24 are the group least likely to gamble overall, yet carry the highest rates of harmful gambling across all age groups. Young people aged 18 to 34 are around five times more likely to bet on sports than older cohorts.

When the data lands at the clubhouse door

Football Victoria’s support for the program reflects a broader recognition within community sport that participation rates and club culture are connected. The environments clubs create shape whether young people stay in sport and what norms they carry with them into adulthood. For football specifically, which draws participants across a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, that responsibility is not evenly distributed. Approximately 440,000 Victorians, or 8.5 per cent of the state’s population, are classified as being at some risk of experiencing problem gambling.

The Victorian Government’s program gives clubs more than symbolic membership. Registered clubs receive practical tools to develop governance frameworks around gambling harm, resources for coaching staff and volunteers, and standing as part of a growing network of clubs taking a formal position on the issue.

Researchers have described the current framing of gambling harm as a matter of personal responsibility as inadequate, arguing it is a public health issue requiring a systemic response. Community football clubs, with their reach into households across the state, are one of the institutional levers available to make that response visible.

Melbourne Victory driving strong partnerships with BYD

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The innovative vehicle manufacturer will join the Victory family as a Major Partner and Exclusive Motor Vehicle Supplier in a 12-month deal.

 

Elite performance, accessible for all

The alliance between Melbourne Victory and BYD reflects both parties’ commitment to progress, efficiency and high performance. It brings together two organisations who share vision and values, two fundamental aspects of any successful partnership.

On one hand is a rapidly growing and community-connected manufacturing company with over 100 sites, intent on providing reliable vehicles to Australian families. On the other, a successful club in the heart of Melbourne, with ambitions to progress on the pitch while regularly engaging with the community.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, commented on the strong foundations of the partnership with BYD.

“Founded only a decade apart, there is a shared history of, and ambition for, continued accelerated growth between Melbourne Victory and BYD.”

“Not only is there a clear alignment of our vision and values to lead, unite, connect and inspire, but a mutual commitment to creating a better future for our communities.”

 

Delivering for the community

As part of the partnership, BYD’s branding will feature on Victory’s home and away jerseys, as well as across the Academy, media and Community assets.

Moreover, the agreement comes as a response from Victory to members and fans’ wishes for not just any vehicle partner, but one which is appropriate and coherent to their day-to-day lives. And as BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Collins, explained, the new energy vehicle manufacturer is driving far more than just passengers.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Melbourne Victory, a club that shares our relentless drive for performance and innovation,” expressed Collins.

“As the exclusive vehicle supplier, we’re not just providing new energy mobility; we’re supporting the team’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”

New energy, new partner and new ambitions for Melbourne Victory, who will compete on the international stage next season in the AFC Champions League Two.

And with a partner like BYD to back them, players and fans in the Victory family will be hoping it is the start of a journey to success.

 

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