Macca’s City Cup 2026: Providing the stage to perform in Victoria

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Image credit: Melbourne City FC

The fifth edition of the Macca’s City Cup, brought to the community by McDonald’s Victoria and Melbourne City FC, will unite thousands of players, supporters and coaches from across Victoria later this month.

Participation at an all-time high

Last year, the 2025 Macca’s City Cup was a resounding success for all players and participants involved.

Over a mere three days of action, the tournament saw 370 teams compete, bringing together over 4000 participants across 903 total games played. In fact, it became the biggest junior tournament in Australia.

Although these numbers are hugely impressive and prove that youth football participation is stronger than ever before, this year promises to go one step beyond.

With 384 teams registered, players and supporters alike can expect to see plenty of action and talent on display when the competition kicks off on Friday 27 March.

The chance to play and perform

The Macca’s City Cup is a shining display what truly matters when it comes to the grassroots game: encouragement, participation and competition. We spoke to Director of Australian Football Skool, Rolando Navas, about the tournament’s popularity and importance for young footballers in Victoria.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of teams that have registered this year,” said Director of Australian Football Skool, Rolando Navas.

“For this year, there will be 388 teams that we’ll admit into the competition. That equates to about over 5000 players,”

“We make an effort to make sure there are as many competitive games as possible, across all age groups. One of the really positive things I’ve seen is the number of girls teams that have joined this year – it’s been incredible.”

 

Combined community effort

Kids of all ages – boys and girls – will be arriving in their thousands for the biggest pre-season tournament in the state. The sheer number of participating teams is testament to AFS’ commitment to providing a supportive sporting environment year after year, as well as to the continued support from McDonald’s Victoria, Melbourne City FC and the City of Casey.

“We’re obviously using three venues this year: Casey Fields, Inez Hunter Reserve and Ramlegh Reserve,” Navas continued.

“They’re amazing fields and, without [the City of Casey], we wouldn’t be able to host such an event.”

It is thanks to the combined dedication of the organisers and partners that young footballers in Victoria will have the chance to showcase their ability once again and, most importantly, enjoy the sport they love the most.

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GIS and ACPE join forces to strengthen football coaching and tactical development

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The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) will support Hills Football Association in delivering a specialist coaching workshop designed to improve player development, tactical understanding and performance analysis.

Taking place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the ACPE campus in Sydney Olympic Park, the workshop will bring together experienced football coaches and performance analysts to explore practical approaches to developing players’ tactical awareness, decision-making and understanding of the game.

Titled Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding, the event will run from 6pm to 8.30pm and feature two workshops focused on translating coaching theory and performance analysis into practical learning environments.

Former Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni, who has also led the national women’s teams of the United States, Canada and New Zealand, will present the first session, Working with International Players.

The workshop will examine how coaches can design training sessions that develop tactical execution under realistic match conditions, with an emphasis on practice design, player decision-making and effective coaching behaviours.

The second session, From Video to Understanding, will be facilitated by experienced performance analysts from GIS and ACPE.

Participants will explore how match footage can be used to strengthen tactical learning, encourage player reflection and develop independent decision-making.

The session will also examine how coaches can structure effective video reviews that align with coaching objectives and a team’s playing model.

Supporting the next generation of football coaches

The initiative highlights the growing importance of combining traditional coaching methods with modern performance analysis to support player development across Australian football.

As clubs and football organisations increasingly seek to improve coaching standards, access to practical education and industry expertise remains an important component of developing more effective learning environments.

The workshop is designed for coaches seeking player-centred approaches that encourage footballers to read the game, understand tactical situations and make better decisions on the pitch.

Participants will receive two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development (CPD) recognition.

For GIS, the collaboration provides another opportunity to connect its specialist sports education and analytics expertise with the practical demands of football coaching.

The institute delivers postgraduate sports education through online learning and stadium-based campuses internationally, including Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG.

Its Sydney offering includes the Master of Sports Analytics and Master of International Sports Business, supporting the development of professionals across the sporting industry.

ACPE, established in 1917 and based at Sydney Olympic Park, brings extensive experience in sport, health and physical education, with a strong emphasis on industry-focused learning and practical professional development.

Together with Hills Football Association, the two education providers aim to equip coaches with practical knowledge that can be applied directly within their football environments.

Event details

  • Event: Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding
  • Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
  • Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
  • Venue: ACPE Campus, 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
  • Presenter: Tom Sermanni
  • Facilitators: Performance analysts from ACPE and GIS
  • CPD: Two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development

Coaches interested in attending are encouraged to register through the event’s official registration channel.

For more information about the education providers, visit Global Institute of Sport and Australian College of Physical Education.

Football NSW backs 20 female coaches with qualification scholarships

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has supported 20 female coaches to complete their AFC/Football Australia C Diploma qualification in 2026, using scholarships funded through Football Australia and CommBank’s Growing Football Fund to reduce the cost of coach education.

The initiative included a dedicated female-only C Diploma course delivered by Football NSW in April and May, attended by 13 coaches. An additional seven received support to complete courses closer to their local communities, improving access for coaches across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.

Football NSW Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd said the scholarships had helped address a key barrier to coaching development.

“These scholarships have helped remove a significant barrier for many female coaches seeking to progress their coaching journey,” Todd said.

Todd said the combination of a female-only course and support for locally accessible qualifications had created pathways for 20 women to develop their skills and contribute to football in their communities.

The program reflects an ongoing challenge for the sport: increasing women’s participation also requires investment in the coaches who lead teams, develop players and help shape club environments.

By helping cover qualification costs, the scholarships give recipients an opportunity to strengthen their coaching knowledge and leadership capabilities while expanding the pool of qualified female coaches available to clubs.

The support also connects to the wider Growing Football Fund, a joint Football Australia and CommBank initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

The fund’s community grant program offers eligible clubs and associations grants of up to $5,000 to help attract or retain women and girls in football, with applications for the 2026–27 round closing on 20 October 2026.

The governing body also offers Women in Football Coaching Scholarships worth 50 per cent of course costs, with applications limited.

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