changes to capital football

[NicCarBel]

And if that’s the case there’s something really wrong going on. Because essentially that would mean every current NPL club is happy with yoogali staying in the league, yet they’re kicked out. So clearly there’s been some back room stuff happen.

I've passed on your info about the secretary not being a former, and being current - I think we all assumed it was former because surely there’s governance about clubs actually being involved in making these decisions, so I think that won’t be the last we’ve heard of this..

 

[LFC]

Wow - I certainly hope that's an outdated website, because that's pretty damning on it it's own if she is still officially tied to the club. That club has also been the one to bite back the most in public when Yoogali brings it up by the way...

On another note - turns out it actually isn't officially the end of the saga yet:

View attachment 2682
View attachment 2683

Just wow, will be curious what the FA get back with 31 July.

 

[NicCarBel]

Just wow, will be curious what the FA get back with 31 July.

knowing the world - probably a "something, something, member federations responsible for their own governance, yada yada ya"

 

[LFC]

yes wouldn't be surprised with the current crop in there.

 

[FootballSam]

I've passed on your info about the secretary not being a former, and being current - I think we all assumed it was former because surely there’s governance about clubs actually being involved in making these decisions, so I think that won’t be the last we’ve heard of this..

Really you've got two counts there, because you've also got the West Canberra relation still coaching at the club. Honestly, I'm not sure there's much of an argument against the conflict of interest. If I was Yoogali, I'd be posting it everywhere and also posting the letter of support signed by everyone of the current NPL clubs. How can you be kicked out of NPL if you have unanimous support by the NPL?

 

[NicCarBel]

Really you've got two counts there, because you've also got the West Canberra relation still coaching at the club. Honestly, I'm not sure there's much of an argument against the conflict of interest. If I was Yoogali, I'd be posting it everywhere and also posting the letter of support signed by everyone of the current NPL clubs. How can you be kicked out of NPL if you have unanimous support by the NPL?

Closest thing they've published is the letter informing them of the final decision/appeal (published in a recent post), and the letter they received from when the review was initially released (published by Vince Rugari in his SMH article on this)

I've posted both before - the initial letter is hard to read, so will copy the wording below the FB post showcasing their most recent letter:


CAPITAL

FOOTBALL

Paul Fisher

President

Yoogali Soccer Club

Football House

Unit 2/3 Phipps Close

Deakin ACT 2600

PO Box 50 Curtin ACT 2605

T +61 2 6260 4000

info@capitalfootball.com.au

ABN: 16 413 452 268

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Re: Participation in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

Dear Paul,

Following our meeting last week, I write to formally confirm that Yoogali Soccer Club will not be

invited to participate in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

This decision has not been made lightly. Capital Football recognises the commitment and

contributions your club has made to participate in Capital Football competitions over the years.

However, our strategic direction and competition structure require that all NPL first grade clubs

provide a complete player development pathway including the participation in our sanctioned

SAP competitions as well as Junior League or NPL Youth competitions.

As you are aware, access to the NPL Youth competition is subject to promotion through the

established Junior League pathways. Clubs are not granted direct entry or exemptions. This

ensures fairness and maintains the competitive integrity of the junior competitions, which are

essential to the broader NPL ecosystem.

To comply with the player pathway requirement, Yoogali SC would need to enter a team in the

Junior League competition in 2026. However, this is not a viable option. The significant travel

required for other Junior League clubs to compete in Griffith on a regular basis presents a

substantial barrier. Feedback from our member clubs indicates that travel of this distance is not

feasible and would result in multiple match forfeits, thereby significantly undermining the

integrity of the competition. This would detrimentally impact player participation, family

engagement, and club operations. As such, the ongoing inclusion of a senior team without

corresponding junior teams compromises the sustainability and integrity of our competitions.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of our competition structures and club alignment

with Capital Football's strategic priorities.

Capital Football is responsible for governing and administering football in the ACT and

surrounding regions, as defined in our Service Agreement with Football Australia. Our

jurisdiction extends beyond the ACT to include select regional areas of southern New South

Wales, such as Cooma, Queabeyan, Goulburn and Bungendore ensuring appropriate access to

competition for nearby communities.

In 2017, Capital Football extended an invitation to clubs from the Riverina region to participate

in our competitions. While these teams competed within our structure, they remained aligned

with Football NSW for development and representative pathways.

Despite the outcome for 2026, Capital Football remains committed to supporting Yoogali SC

through the 2025 season to ensure a positive and respectful conclusion to your participation.

We will work closely with your club and competition staff to manage any logistical and

administrative matters and to maintain competition integrity through to the season's end.

We acknowledge the important role Yoogali SC has played in our NPL Men's competition and

thank you for your contributions. While this change is difficult, we are committed to maintaining

a collaborative relationship and supporting the continued growth of football in Griffith and the

broader Riverina region.

Looking ahead, a formal requirement for all NPL first grade clubs to provide a pathway from SAP

as well as Junior Leagues or NPL Youth, through to NPL first grade will come into effect for the

2027 season. Clubs not yet meeting this requirement may apply for an exemption for the 2026

season, which the Capital Football Board will consider on a case-by-case basis. However, due

to the reasons outlined above, it is not feasible for Yoogali SC to field a Junior League team in

2026 and beyond. As a result, the Board has determined that 2025 will be Yoogali SC's final

season in Capital Football competitions.

Capital Football remains committed to supporting football across our region and recognises the

important role Yoogali SC plays in your local community. We welcome the opportunity to work

with your club to explore future options, including possible engagement with Football NSW, that

align with your location and player development needs.

This decision has been made following thorough consultation and review. Capital Football will

now focus on supporting the club to complete its final season in the competition.

Yours sincerely,

Angelo Konstantinou

President

Samantha Farrow

Chief Executive Officer

 

[FootballSam]

Closest thing they've published is the letter informing them of the final decision/appeal (published in a recent post), and the letter they received from when the review was initially released (published by Vince Rugari in his SMH article on this)

I've posted both before - the initial letter is hard to read, so will copy the wording below the FB post showcasing their most recent letter:


CAPITAL

FOOTBALL

Paul Fisher

President

Yoogali Soccer Club

Football House

Unit 2/3 Phipps Close

Deakin ACT 2600

PO Box 50 Curtin ACT 2605

T +61 2 6260 4000

info@capitalfootball.com.au

ABN: 16 413 452 268

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Re: Participation in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

Dear Paul,

Following our meeting last week, I write to formally confirm that Yoogali Soccer Club will not be

invited to participate in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

This decision has not been made lightly. Capital Football recognises the commitment and

contributions your club has made to participate in Capital Football competitions over the years.

However, our strategic direction and competition structure require that all NPL first grade clubs

provide a complete player development pathway including the participation in our sanctioned

SAP competitions as well as Junior League or NPL Youth competitions.

As you are aware, access to the NPL Youth competition is subject to promotion through the

established Junior League pathways. Clubs are not granted direct entry or exemptions. This

ensures fairness and maintains the competitive integrity of the junior competitions, which are

essential to the broader NPL ecosystem.

To comply with the player pathway requirement, Yoogali SC would need to enter a team in the

Junior League competition in 2026. However, this is not a viable option. The significant travel

required for other Junior League clubs to compete in Griffith on a regular basis presents a

substantial barrier. Feedback from our member clubs indicates that travel of this distance is not

feasible and would result in multiple match forfeits, thereby significantly undermining the

integrity of the competition. This would detrimentally impact player participation, family

engagement, and club operations. As such, the ongoing inclusion of a senior team without

corresponding junior teams compromises the sustainability and integrity of our competitions.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of our competition structures and club alignment

with Capital Football's strategic priorities.

Capital Football is responsible for governing and administering football in the ACT and

surrounding regions, as defined in our Service Agreement with Football Australia. Our

jurisdiction extends beyond the ACT to include select regional areas of southern New South

Wales, such as Cooma, Queabeyan, Goulburn and Bungendore ensuring appropriate access to

competition for nearby communities.

In 2017, Capital Football extended an invitation to clubs from the Riverina region to participate

in our competitions. While these teams competed within our structure, they remained aligned

with Football NSW for development and representative pathways.

Despite the outcome for 2026, Capital Football remains committed to supporting Yoogali SC

through the 2025 season to ensure a positive and respectful conclusion to your participation.

We will work closely with your club and competition staff to manage any logistical and

administrative matters and to maintain competition integrity through to the season's end.

We acknowledge the important role Yoogali SC has played in our NPL Men's competition and

thank you for your contributions. While this change is difficult, we are committed to maintaining

a collaborative relationship and supporting the continued growth of football in Griffith and the

broader Riverina region.

Looking ahead, a formal requirement for all NPL first grade clubs to provide a pathway from SAP

as well as Junior Leagues or NPL Youth, through to NPL first grade will come into effect for the

2027 season. Clubs not yet meeting this requirement may apply for an exemption for the 2026

season, which the Capital Football Board will consider on a case-by-case basis. However, due

to the reasons outlined above, it is not feasible for Yoogali SC to field a Junior League team in

2026 and beyond. As a result, the Board has determined that 2025 will be Yoogali SC's final

season in Capital Football competitions.

Capital Football remains committed to supporting football across our region and recognises the

important role Yoogali SC plays in your local community. We welcome the opportunity to work

with your club to explore future options, including possible engagement with Football NSW, that

align with your location and player development needs.

This decision has been made following thorough consultation and review. Capital Football will

now focus on supporting the club to complete its final season in the competition.

Yours sincerely,

Angelo Konstantinou

President

Samantha Farrow

Chief Executive Officer

Yeah it's crazy. Probably doesn't help that the head of the board is an Olympic legend. Again no shots against him, he's done a lot for the game, but it really does feel like certain CPL clubs have a lot of influence on this decision.

 

[NicCarBel]

Yeah it's crazy. Probably doesn't help that the head of the board is an Olympic legend. Again no shots against him, he's done a lot for the game, but it really does feel like certain CPL clubs have a lot of influence on this decision.

To be fair to Olympic - Frank Cachia came out and blew everyone up on Yoogali's first game after the initial review was released. Will be interesting to see what is said on the games this weekend (considering Yoogali has a home game, so probs no comms)

Post in thread 'NPL 2025'

May 17, 2025

Tigers FC have gone top of the table with a 3-2 victory over Yoogali this afternoon, with the two teams going goal for goal.

The headline though for me - as Russ Gibbs (Capital Football’s head of communications and lead commentator) eloquently put it - was the monkey on the elephant in the room regarding the recently released NPL review by Capital Football.

Joining Russ on commentary today was his usual partner in crime, current Canberra Olympic NPLW coach, and former NPLM Canberra Olympic and Monaro Panthers coach, Frank Cachia who had some scathing words to say about the review and its...

• NicCarBel

• 

 

[FootballSam]

Yeah that's right I do remember watching and hearing that. I do find it interesting the situation they get put in at times the commentators with Russ been a CF employee and the co-commentator having their club affiliations. Franks always great on the comms

 

[NicCarBel]

Frank is good on comms. Russ.. I think he's just the head of the communications out of Capital Football - I can see him liking certain things on social media, so I don't think he agrees with it too much either...

 

[FootballSam]

Honestly, I do hope Yoogali just cut loose on the comms. Not say anything false, just state the facts. And yeah they need to talk to other clubs and get them fighting for their course, because I have no doubt others would back them up.

 

[LFC]

other Clubs should be backing them up but I suspect they will be concerned of any backlash towards them as well.

 

[NicCarBel]

Honestly, I do hope Yoogali just cut loose on the comms. Not say anything false, just state the facts. And yeah they need to talk to other clubs and get them fighting for their course, because I have no doubt others would back them up.

I think that's the plan with that little bit of information you gave me regarding the 'current secretary' that is indeed not 'former'

 

[NicCarBel]

other Clubs should be backing them up but I suspect they will be concerned of any backlash towards them as well.

Ironically, the only club I've seen publically say anything about this is Brindabella. Only towards Wagga City though, who funnily enough wasn't going to leapfrog Brindabella into the NPL....

 

[NicCarBel]

Closest thing they've published is the letter informing them of the final decision/appeal (published in a recent post), and the letter they received from when the review was initially released (published by Vince Rugari in his SMH article on this)

I've posted both before - the initial letter is hard to read, so will copy the wording below the FB post showcasing their most recent letter:


CAPITAL

FOOTBALL

Paul Fisher

President

Yoogali Soccer Club

Football House

Unit 2/3 Phipps Close

Deakin ACT 2600

PO Box 50 Curtin ACT 2605

T +61 2 6260 4000

info@capitalfootball.com.au

ABN: 16 413 452 268

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Re: Participation in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

Dear Paul,

Following our meeting last week, I write to formally confirm that Yoogali Soccer Club will not be

invited to participate in Capital Football's 2026 National Premier Leagues (NPL) competition.

This decision has not been made lightly. Capital Football recognises the commitment and

contributions your club has made to participate in Capital Football competitions over the years.

However, our strategic direction and competition structure require that all NPL first grade clubs

provide a complete player development pathway including the participation in our sanctioned

SAP competitions as well as Junior League or NPL Youth competitions.

As you are aware, access to the NPL Youth competition is subject to promotion through the

established Junior League pathways. Clubs are not granted direct entry or exemptions. This

ensures fairness and maintains the competitive integrity of the junior competitions, which are

essential to the broader NPL ecosystem.

To comply with the player pathway requirement, Yoogali SC would need to enter a team in the

Junior League competition in 2026. However, this is not a viable option. The significant travel

required for other Junior League clubs to compete in Griffith on a regular basis presents a

substantial barrier. Feedback from our member clubs indicates that travel of this distance is not

feasible and would result in multiple match forfeits, thereby significantly undermining the

integrity of the competition. This would detrimentally impact player participation, family

engagement, and club operations. As such, the ongoing inclusion of a senior team without

corresponding junior teams compromises the sustainability and integrity of our competitions.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of our competition structures and club alignment

with Capital Football's strategic priorities.

Capital Football is responsible for governing and administering football in the ACT and

surrounding regions, as defined in our Service Agreement with Football Australia. Our

jurisdiction extends beyond the ACT to include select regional areas of southern New South

Wales, such as Cooma, Queabeyan, Goulburn and Bungendore ensuring appropriate access to

competition for nearby communities.

In 2017, Capital Football extended an invitation to clubs from the Riverina region to participate

in our competitions. While these teams competed within our structure, they remained aligned

with Football NSW for development and representative pathways.

Despite the outcome for 2026, Capital Football remains committed to supporting Yoogali SC

through the 2025 season to ensure a positive and respectful conclusion to your participation.

We will work closely with your club and competition staff to manage any logistical and

administrative matters and to maintain competition integrity through to the season's end.

We acknowledge the important role Yoogali SC has played in our NPL Men's competition and

thank you for your contributions. While this change is difficult, we are committed to maintaining

a collaborative relationship and supporting the continued growth of football in Griffith and the

broader Riverina region.

Looking ahead, a formal requirement for all NPL first grade clubs to provide a pathway from SAP

as well as Junior Leagues or NPL Youth, through to NPL first grade will come into effect for the

2027 season. Clubs not yet meeting this requirement may apply for an exemption for the 2026

season, which the Capital Football Board will consider on a case-by-case basis. However, due

to the reasons outlined above, it is not feasible for Yoogali SC to field a Junior League team in

2026 and beyond. As a result, the Board has determined that 2025 will be Yoogali SC's final

season in Capital Football competitions.

Capital Football remains committed to supporting football across our region and recognises the

important role Yoogali SC plays in your local community. We welcome the opportunity to work

with your club to explore future options, including possible engagement with Football NSW, that

align with your location and player development needs.

This decision has been made following thorough consultation and review. Capital Football will

now focus on supporting the club to complete its final season in the competition.

Yours sincerely,

Angelo Konstantinou

President

Samantha Farrow

Chief Executive Officer

 

[FootballSam]

View attachment 2698

It’s all going to kick off now. Capital football not making themselves look great here.

I mean they’re probably right in terms of the breach. But you’ve got a frustrated club, who are clearly aggrieved with a club changing decision.

Not sure what Cf are going to do in any extent. It’s not like you can dock them points you’ve already kicked them out

 

[NicCarBel]

It’s all going to kick off now. Capital football not making themselves look great here.

I mean they’re probably right in terms of the breach. But you’ve got a frustrated club, who are clearly aggrieved with a club changing decision.

Not sure what Cf are going to do in any extent. It’s not like you can dock them points you’ve already kicked them out

Considering Yoogali’s final goal is to avoid the old relegation spot - docking points will be Capital Football’s punishment (or removing them early)

Breach would be due to “publishing confidential information” - but the letter posted has no letterhead (I mean it can be inferred where it’s from though..)

I do know a little secret that may have pushed Capital Football to finally actually respond to Yoogali, after months of only receiving two letters

 

[FootballSam]

Considering Yoogali’s final goal is to avoid the old relegation spot - docking points will be Capital Football’s punishment (or removing them early)

Breach would be due to “publishing confidential information” - but the letter posted has no letterhead (I mean it can be inferred where it’s from though..)

I do know a little secret that may have pushed Capital Football to finally actually respond to Yoogali, after months of only receiving two letters

Are you inclined to share or hint what that secret is

 

[HappyGuus]

Can you guys make a list of crap administration decisions CF has made or stuff-ups?

From memory, there's booting Yoogali, ditching the Canberra girls academy, rejecting home of football facilities...

Any other glorious decisions?

 

[FootballSam]

Can you guys make a list of crap administration decisions CF has made or stuff-ups?

From memory, there's booting Yoogali, ditching the Canberra girls academy, rejecting home of football facilities...

Any other glorious decisions?

Blowing their budget on Canberra United meaning they couldn’t afford the home of football was a big one.

They also are constantly circulating through staff. That’s more due to the fact that they get kids straight out of uni and so they move on when better offers come around. So that contributes to frustration around general admin. It’s not that the staff are bad or anything just they’re constantly learning and then once good they move on.

Also having their staff double up as Canberra United admin means they’re overworked and having to deal with essentially two jobs