Gungahlin United Football Club has this week announced its insolvency due to poor financial management and governance control by members of the previous administration.
The NPL football club reportedly owes ACT Government and numerous creditors approximately $550,000 in total, exceeding the estimated $200,000 from the club’s previous financial forecast submitted to Capital Football.
In a club statement posted on Facebook on the 18th of October, Gungahlin United FC stated the club will “cease to operate” as a registered association under the Association Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) and have begun the process to allow club members time to trial with other teams.
“It is deeply saddening that the actions and mismanagement of a few individuals have now resulted in the displacement of over 2,000 players plus the coaches, volunteers, and families,” they said.
“The Club had significantly overspent within the NPL Men’s program and operated without the necessary checks and balances to ensure financial and operational accountability.
“This mismanagement directly contributed to the Club’s deteriorating financial position and its inability to meet key obligations.”
Capital Football confirmed that the football club was informed in 2024 about their NPL licence, which was issued with conditions requiring repayment of outstanding debts owed to both Capital Football and the ACT Government.
“Capital Football regrets that financial mismanagement has led to a situation in which a club believes it can no longer continue operations,” they said via press release.
“The immediate priority for Capital Football is to ensure that all players affiliated with GUFC, particularly the participants in community competitions, are provided with opportunities to continue playing football within the ACT region.
“Capital Football encourages the broader football community to show respect and support for GUFC players, families and volunteers during this challenging time.”
The Future For GUFC Members
A second Gungahlin United club statement released on the 20th confirmed the club has found it legally and ethically improper to operate while insolvent and to trade in the state.
Gungahlin United Football Club players, volunteers, coaches, and other members of the club are now looking at their future in the sport within ACT after being informed of the insolvency this week.
However, families of the club’s younger players have been hit the most by the news since the club is a social place for the community to exist in during the football seasons, as well as the fact their local football club is disappearing.
A large number of families are now looking for the next appropriate NPL club that is open for new players for next year’s season, but not every young player can simply transfer into a new club, which has been one of the major disruptions experienced by GUFC families.
However, if young players are not able to enter into an NPL club affiliation team by next year, the next option is signing up for recreational teams in the state.
Gungahlin United FC are currently in the process of refunding players who paid towards program funds.
