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Good or bad?
changes to capital football
- Thread starter grazorblade
- Start date
HappyGuus
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NicCarBel
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and am also the one who made that thread on reddit.
But in summary.. not good at all
NicCarBel
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Going to re-share my original post on this in the main NPL thread for visibility on the changes/review - which there are more than just the removal of regional teams.
Disgusting news out of Canberra this morning:
capitalfootball.com.au
Key summary:
NPL REVIEW - Capital Football
capitalfootball.com.au
Key summary:
- Abolishing of 2nd division (Capital Premier League)
- Expansion of National Premier League from 8 to 10 clubs
- Removal of Riverina clubs (Yoogali SC and Wagga City Wanderers) from Capital Football
- Introduce a representative weekend (juniors and first grade)
- Player payment cap to be introduced into NPL Men and Women
- NPL M & W promotion/relegation play off introduced
- CF to engage with FA about developing our own NPL criteria.
NicCarBel
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Yoogali SC have made their first explicit comments on the matter with Capital Football - creating this video with comments from Frank Cachia's opening monologue from last Saturday's game - interestingly it was originally directly tagging the official NPL Capital Football page, before being edited to remove it after half an hour:
The reality is that we are GUTTED to be told that we have been removed from the competition in 2026
As Football Mad people, we are STUNNED that anyone who claims to love Football could arrive at this conclusion
But we find hope in the supportive words of others in the Football Community, that have flowed through thick and fast since the release of the NPL Capital Football review last week and we THANK YOU for your calls and messages...
Frank Cachia... we could not have said this better ourselves
I think it's only fair to also include Wagga City's cryptic posts - alongside showing all their teams singing their victory songs over the weekend:
Ramped and ready to go
For the 7th time this season (Already 6 more trips then any Youth opposition this year) our youth are prepping to face @woden_valley_soccer_club at Mawson
Our men also prepare to hit the road for their 5th trip (that’s 3 more then any opposition club, already) to face up against @canberrawefc at Woden Park
See you on the Highway, once again
( not that we are the ones complaining)
EDIT: Updating as Wagga City Wanderers have issued a club statement this morning
Wagga City Wanderers is shocked by the recommendations within the recently released Capital Football - Official review.
A decision to exclude Riverina clubs who are compliant, competitive and add positives to the competition, while providing pathways for regional players, is not a move to strengthen the competition.
WCWFC is surprised at the isolationist approach that Capital Football have accepted in the recently released review, considering the travel ratio is 1:13, the impact is borne by the regional players, coaches and supporters.
Football played only by clubs within 20 minutes of each other will not encourage development and growth and we hope that the messages and gestures of support we are receiving from opposition clubs, the wider football community and supporters are observed by Capital Football as they consider the impacts of the review.
To the WCWFC players from our established SAP teams, through our youth NPL teams and Senior teams, our coaches, supporters and volunteers: we know you are hurting from this review. We are resolved to respond in a factual manner showing we are a competitive, compliant club founded with development and pathway opportunities for regional players as our objectives.
Stay focused on our commitments and goals for this year and we are very sorry that this has disrupted what you love so much.
WCWFC Committee
Link to published review
https://capitalfootball.com.au/npl-review/...
The reality is that we are GUTTED to be told that we have been removed from the competition in 2026
As Football Mad people, we are STUNNED that anyone who claims to love Football could arrive at this conclusion
But we find hope in the supportive words of others in the Football Community, that have flowed through thick and fast since the release of the NPL Capital Football review last week and we THANK YOU for your calls and messages...
Frank Cachia... we could not have said this better ourselves
I think it's only fair to also include Wagga City's cryptic posts - alongside showing all their teams singing their victory songs over the weekend:
Ramped and ready to go
For the 7th time this season (Already 6 more trips then any Youth opposition this year) our youth are prepping to face @woden_valley_soccer_club at Mawson
Our men also prepare to hit the road for their 5th trip (that’s 3 more then any opposition club, already) to face up against @canberrawefc at Woden Park
See you on the Highway, once again
EDIT: Updating as Wagga City Wanderers have issued a club statement this morning
Wagga City Wanderers is shocked by the recommendations within the recently released Capital Football - Official review.
A decision to exclude Riverina clubs who are compliant, competitive and add positives to the competition, while providing pathways for regional players, is not a move to strengthen the competition.
WCWFC is surprised at the isolationist approach that Capital Football have accepted in the recently released review, considering the travel ratio is 1:13, the impact is borne by the regional players, coaches and supporters.
Football played only by clubs within 20 minutes of each other will not encourage development and growth and we hope that the messages and gestures of support we are receiving from opposition clubs, the wider football community and supporters are observed by Capital Football as they consider the impacts of the review.
To the WCWFC players from our established SAP teams, through our youth NPL teams and Senior teams, our coaches, supporters and volunteers: we know you are hurting from this review. We are resolved to respond in a factual manner showing we are a competitive, compliant club founded with development and pathway opportunities for regional players as our objectives.
Stay focused on our commitments and goals for this year and we are very sorry that this has disrupted what you love so much.
WCWFC Committee
Link to published review
https://capitalfootball.com.au/npl-review/...
Last edited:
NicCarBel
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Essentially Capital Football have put together the committee for this (not sure if it was driven by Capital Football to begin the review, or if those that ended up on the committee pushed Capital Football for the review).
Four people are on the review committee - from what I can gather, 3 are directly linked to 3 of the 4 clubs that I've outlined as being behind this (used to be in high positions with the listed clubs):
Four people are on the review committee - from what I can gather, 3 are directly linked to 3 of the 4 clubs that I've outlined as being behind this (used to be in high positions with the listed clubs):
- Brindabella Blues (former secretary)
- West Canberra Wanderers (former president)
- Canberra Olympic (former technical director of 5 years)
- The fourth on the committee was a former referee - not sure of any ties to Canberra clubs.
We know from discussions and statements from both Yoogali and Wagga City that not all clubs were consulted - they were only informed of the final decision. And this is also alluded to in the review documents:
Very clear that the 'war games discussion' would have been an echo chamber, considering where the main challenges on the considerations would have come from..
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Coach gutted as Yoogali SC vows to keep fighting despite uncertainty around future
By Liam Warren
Updated May 20 2025 - 3:34pm, first published 2:45pm
Coach gutted as Yoogali SC vows to keep fighting despite uncertainty around future
Yoogali SC coach Luke Santolin has come out swinging
Yoogali SC have been left reeling after a report from Capital Football was released to the public on Friday that would see their involvement in the National Premier League come to an end at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Yoogali SC coach Luke Santolin has come out swinging in defence of his club.
"The P in NPL stands for Premier, which means you want the best teams. I don't understand how you can claim to be an elite competition when you make a decision based on everything but what happens on the field," he said.
"A lot of this review has been conducted by people who have an affiliation with clubs that are below us in the CPL (Capital Premier League) or community leagues.
"You can't tell me that jealousy and envy don't exist in the sport, and rather than do the work on the field and on your club to get better, you have done it in the shadows and in the board room.
"Anyone who calls themselves a lover of football couldn't support this decision."
The National Premier League Review outlined that no Riverina teams, meaning Yoogali SC or Wagga City Wanderers, would be invited to take part in the 2026 season, effectively leaving the clubs now looking for a new home.
It was also revealed in the report that Hanwood had put in a request in 2024 and 2025 to complete in the CPL Boys competition, which Capital Football declined.
"Whilst these Riverina-based clubs, particularly in the Men's and Boys competitions, have been competitive, there is an ongoing challenge for all clubs with the distance, cost, player availability and availability of referees to travel to the Riverina," the report read.
Yoogali SC secured promotion into the NPL after claiming the Capital Premier League title in 2023. In 2026, the club could be homeless. Picture by Andrew McLean
The travel has proven to be a sticking point for Santolin, who feels it comes down to the culture of the club involved.
"We actually have club spirit and that family and friends element, where we enjoy each other's company. It's not about money or anything else, it's a proper community and family-based club," he said.
"These guys just show up, get paid to play, show up on game day, and when the game finishes, they all go home. When it's time for them to come to Griffith, they can't think of anything worse, but we do it 13 or 14 times a year, and we don't bat an eyelid.
"We think it's great and want to keep doing it. If we can do it 14 times, why can't you come once or twice? It makes no sense. These clubs might get promoted to NPL because of a document, but it won't teach them anything; they won't understand what they are missing."
Yoogali SC have found one vocal supporter in Canberra with Canberra Olympic NPLW coach Frank Cachia coming out in support of the Riverina clubs during the coverage of the NPL game between Yoogali SC and Tigers last weekend, just two days after the report was made public.
"I look at that area, and that will be 100-odd players that we no longer have in our competition. If we are talking about growth, they will not be replaced by local players," Cachia said.
"We talk about best of the best and about players that want to achieve elite competition, and if you aren't prepared to travel to be in an elite competition, are you really fair dinkum about being an elite competition?"
Santolin thanked Cachia for his support and called on others to speak publicly about how they feel about the outcomes of the report.
"Frank has the courage to say what is right publicly," he said.
"Whilst I have had plenty of phone calls and messages, I'd love to start seeing people who claim to be as gutted as we are make a stand.
"Put your name to it, put your club's name to it, and come out and show us genuine support, not just by sending a text or Facebook message.
"Sometimes silence implies consent, and maybe they think it's unfair, but when it comes to the crunch, maybe they think life will be a bit easier without us there. That is what we are waiting to find out, whether people want us there. We know we want to be there, but at the moment it feels a bit lonely."
Yoogali will now turn their attention to an away trip to take on O'Connor Knights in a game where, if results go their way, they could find themselves in the top four of the NPL for the first time.
NicCarBel
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'Compliant with requirements' and ready to fight for a place to play
By Courtney Rees
Updated May 19 2025 - 8:20pm, first published 8:00pm
'Compliant with requirements' and ready to fight for a place to play
A Capital Football review has the power to have big consequences.
Hugh Curran, 8, Kade Lyons, 17, Issy Rodney, 12, Ollie Felke, 14 and Isaac Carroll, 12, are among the Wagga City Wanderers players to remain in Capital Football. Picture by Courtney Rees
Wagga City Wanderers are ready to fight for their future survival.
It comes after Capital Football released a review into its competitions, recommending no Riverina clubs be included for the 2026 season.
It has placed both the Wanderers and Yoogali Soccer Club's future in jeopardy.
Wanderers have been playing in the Canberra-based competition since 2019, after the club spent its first four years in Football NSW's State League 2.
With a desire to continue to allow an opportunity to play at a higher level, they are looking to be granted an exemption to remain in the competition.
It's the number one priority for Wanderers president Tim Cooper.
"Our intention is to put all efforts into remaining in the Capital competition and to work with Capital and other stakeholders to ensure these findings are discussed with the full picture on the table and that we remain in the competition as competitive participants," Cooper said.
Wagga City currently has open men's and under-23 men's teams in the Capital Premier League (CPL), as well as under-14s, 15s, 16s and 18s boys teams in the National Premier League (NPL).
The CPL is the second-tier competition, but the recommendation is to remove it and increase the NPL, which Yoogali SC is currently playing in, from eight to 10 teams.
There are currently no Wanderers women's sides in Capital Football competitions after withdrawing ahead of the 2024 season.
However, Cooper said the club wanted to reignite those plans, but weren't allowed to while the review process was taking place.
The Wanderers had already met with Capital Football chief executive Samantha Farrow and a number of board members involved in the review before the review was released on Thursday.
Wagga City Wanderers want to continue to provide an avenue for players to test themselves at a higher level.
They believe the structures required under the review, including being required to have a SAP program in place, are already in place at the club.
"We feel there is nothing we can't respond to straight away, as everything we've been asked to put forward in these exemptions we've done for the last five years in that competition," Cooper said.
"We're compliant with all the requirements and just need to pull together the application."
Distance is the one thing working against them.
However, Cooper feels the impact is borne by the Wanderers, not by their opposition.
"We're compliant, we're competitive, we do everything we can to be good citizens within that competition and to purely have us thrown out based on travel when they are doing 1/11thof that travel is just disheartening for the parents who travel over every week with their kids," he said.
Wagga City Wanderers pair Nathan Singh and Maxwell Prest try to take the ball of Canberra White Eagles opponent Liam Vickers in a game last year. Picture by Tom Dennis
While the club's focus is on applying for an exemption, they've moved to reassure members they still have a future regardless of the outcome.
Despite all the uncertainty around the club's future, there were still some positive results over the weekend, including first grade scoring its first win of the season after securing a 2-0 victory against Canberra White Eagles.
However, Cooper expects better results to continue with a string of five games at Gissing Oval in a row, after having five of their first six games in Canberra.
The under-14s and 16s also won their games against Woden Valley, while the under-23s had a 1-all draw.
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'Huge mistake': Capital Football stands by controversial shake-up of Canberra soccer as club speaks out
By Melanie Dinjaski
Updated May 30 2025 - 6:28pm, first published 5:34pm
Capital Football is set to overhaul the soccer landscape in the Canberra region, but one club that faces being suddenly banished from the top men's competition warned that the major changes proposed risk hurting the sport's growth and overall success, not improving it.
"I don't know why anyone with the future of the game in mind could stand by what they're proposing," Yoogali Soccer Club coach Luke Santolin told The Canberra Times.
"They're trying to hope that this sticks, but it won't work, and it's a huge mistake. This is why we're protesting it with the emotion that we are.
"I believe there's movement in club-land - it's not just us in isolation - but obviously we feel the strongest about it because our future is directly at risk."
WHAT WAS THE REPORT?
Capital Football's recently released final report on its National Premier League review had recommendations that sent shockwaves throughout clubs.There were many changes recommended but one of the most controversial was that Riverina clubs would no longer be included in the NPL or any other Capital Football competitions, significantly impacting clubs like Yoogali that currently compete in NPL Men first grade.
In addition, the report suggested the men's Capital Premier League competition - a whole grade below NPL Men - would be completely scrapped.
The top men's competition would instead be expanded to 10 teams over 18 rounds, with a six-team finals series over three weeks and a new pre-season competition against Illawarra Premier League sides.
With Yoogali booted, that means three teams from the CPL are proposed to be promoted for the 2026 NPL Men season, with club submissions due on June 2.
Yoogali in action last year against Canberra Olympic. Picture by Liam Warren
It was also proposed a player payment cap for NPL Men and Women, a new promotion-relegation play-off for both leagues, and for Capital Football to engage Football Australia to develop its own NPL criteria.
NPL Girls recommendations included an increase to a 28-round season for the eight team competition, up from 21 this year, with four finals series over two weeks, and age groups were simplified to under-14s, under-16s and under-18s, with no more under-15s, broadening the player pool. The 10-team NPL Boys would also be increased by one round to 27.
Other proposed changes included a new representative weekend for juniors and first grade, and for the skills acquisition program to add under-11s and under-12s next year.
The report claimed that since the last review four years ago, "risks and issues associated with the current competition structure" had been identified, and the most recent probe was designed to find "areas for improvement that will enhance the league structure, including development and pathway opportunities for participants and players to ensure the sustainability of elite football".
Capital Football said the review was conducted by a board-appointed four-person committee that included two directors, and considered findings from a survey that was sent out to all club presidents and technical directors. The sporting body claims it met with these figures in August last year and February this year to discuss proposed changes.
Three club representatives from Tigers FC, Weston Molonglo and Majura FC were also invited to have a "war games discussion" to challenge the review findings.
"This month saw the release of the NPL Competition Review, which has generated significant discussion across the football community," Capital Football chief executive Samantha Farrow said in a statement to this masthead.
"While we acknowledge the diversity of views, the review has been developed with the best interests of football in mind, with a focus on long-term sustainability and growth of the game in our region."
YOOGALI AMONG CLUBS IMPACTED
Yoogali Soccer Club is located in Griffith, right in the heart of the Riverina region. Established in 1954, when the club earned promotion from the CPL to the NPL Men in 2023, it committed to the four-hour drive each way to play Canberra teams, and the squad proved to be a competitive addition last season.Now after beating off rivals to avoid relegation from the NPL, Yoogali stands to be suddenly dumped from the Capital Football competition next season, as three CPL teams are promoted, and the men's side is left with no option of the same level to play in.
"We're being treated like a dirty nappy... 'Throw it in a bin, we're done with that'," NPL Men coach at Yoogali, Santolin said.
"It sends us into a tailspin. They're not just kicking us out of a competition that we've invested so much in, there's also not another competition for us to fall into - certainly not a comparable one.
"There is such disregard for Yoogali and Wagga City Wanderers that it almost feels personal, because on every other level, we are fulfilling our obligations and I think contributing a lot of positive elements to the leagues."
Yoogali has submitted a formal letter to Capital Football protesting the recommendations of the report and urged it to "put the brakes" on implementing any changes.
"There's enough opposition to the review to probably warrant Capital Football hitting the brakes, at least for the rest of this season until they can provide a plan that has the support of the clubs, and can also show that it's going to achieve the desired outcomes, which is to improve the quality and participation, and grow the game," Santolin said.
"Let's build something brilliant. This is shrinking the league, not growing it.
"When they invited Riverina teams it was because they had a closed, Canberra-centric NPL and the quality wasn't moving in the right direction," he added.
"Once there's no direct promotion and relegation there's less incentive for clubs.
"You'll find the best players will scatter, maybe in Sydney.
Canberra Croatia celebrate winning the NPL grand final. Picture by Keegan Carroll
"It's not just the Riverina clubs affected, too. There's a few historic Canberra clubs that are facing the wilderness in CPL, like Canberra Juventus, Canberra White Eagles, and ANU.
"They've been trying to build to promotion to the NPL and now they could be banished to the community leagues. The minute you're in the community leagues, good luck attracting any quality players.
"The review does not describe the National Premier League. It described a competition, but not a Premier League."
Capital Football has set a deadline of June 15 for exemption applications, with exemption approvals announced on July 7. Clubs in the NPL or aiming to be promoted must meet Capital Football criteria by September 1.
NicCarBel
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Just on this - I've been told this letter has been signed off on by almost...'Huge mistake': Capital Football stands by controversial shake-up of Canberra soccer as club speaks out
By Melanie Dinjaski
Updated May 30 2025 - 6:28pm, first published 5:34pm
Yoogali has submitted a formal letter to Capital Football protesting the recommendations of the report and urged it to "put the brakes" on implementing any changes.
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Name and shame the clubs that DON'T sign this letter mate.... we'll let them have it....Just on this - I've been told this letter has been signed off on by almost...'Huge mistake': Capital Football stands by controversial shake-up of Canberra soccer as club speaks out
By Melanie Dinjaski
Updated May 30 2025 - 6:28pm, first published 5:34pm
Yoogali has submitted a formal letter to Capital Football protesting the recommendations of the report and urged it to "put the brakes" on implementing any changes.
NicCarBel
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Don’t you worry - the minute I find out I will.
Am assuming it’s some combination of the 4 that I’ve mentioned previously.
NicCarBel
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Some more national coverage from Vince Rugari - who cut his teeth in Griffith as the local paper’s sports editor in the late 2000s/early 2010s. I’ll have to post in parts as it’s a very long piece.
But Vince - took you 3 paragraphs to mention La Scala - not good enough
By Vince Rugari
JUNE 7, 2025
Yoogali SC is facing an uncertain future.CREDIT: ANDREW MCLEAN
In the middle of practically nowhere - six hours’ drive west of Sydney, five hours’ drive north of Melbourne - lies the best-kept secret in Australian soccer.
Maybe Australian sport.
Griffith, NSW, is a place that shouldn’t exist. Without irrigation, it would be a desert - dry, flat, and empty. But in 1916, as part of the bold, utopian Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area scheme, it was built from scratch as a planned city, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the same American architect who laid out Canberra. The early settlers, mostly returned servicemen and British migrants, struggled with the land; it wasn’t until the Italians arrived, bringing with them generations of agricultural know-how and a relentless work ethic, that the region truly began to bloom.
Today, around 60 per cent of the city’s 25,000 residents are said to claim some degree of Italian heritage, and it shines through in everything they do. Top-notch Italian eateries line the city’s main drag, Banna Avenue; walking into the famous old La Scala restaurant, down a dingy, dimly lit staircase, was like stumbling into a dinner scene from Goodfellas. The local wine scene is quietly excellent; Yellow Tail, Australia’s leading export brand and a bona fide global phenomenon, is produced in Yenda, which is a 13-minute drive to the east.
A tractor transporting harvested grapes through Yarran Wines, Yenda - just east of Griffith.CREDIT: DESTINATION NSW
Season two of Underbelly was also partially set in Griffith, harking back to a darker past that has unfairly coloured the town’s reputation.
And then, of course, there’s the soccer.
The standard of play at Griffith’s grassroots is surprisingly high given its geographic isolation. The passion for the game is strong, and it has to be, considering the immense obstacles that need to be overcome just to take part. To play at any serious level is to accept many, many hours of driving for hundreds of kilometres just to find an opponent.
In football, as in agriculture, Griffith’s best produce ends up elsewhere. If you happen to be decent - like Brisbane Roar youngster Pearson Kasawaya, or former national league players such as Michael Musitano, Eliza Ammendolia or Jordan Jasnos - you eventually have to move to the big smoke to pursue your dreams.
But Vince - took you 3 paragraphs to mention La Scala - not good enough
They’re the best soccer team in the bush. But they’ve got nowhere to play
Yoogali SC are one of regional Australia’s great sporting stories. But instead of being celebrated, they’re being shut out of the game.By Vince Rugari
JUNE 7, 2025
Yoogali SC is facing an uncertain future.CREDIT: ANDREW MCLEAN
In the middle of practically nowhere - six hours’ drive west of Sydney, five hours’ drive north of Melbourne - lies the best-kept secret in Australian soccer.
Maybe Australian sport.
Griffith, NSW, is a place that shouldn’t exist. Without irrigation, it would be a desert - dry, flat, and empty. But in 1916, as part of the bold, utopian Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area scheme, it was built from scratch as a planned city, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the same American architect who laid out Canberra. The early settlers, mostly returned servicemen and British migrants, struggled with the land; it wasn’t until the Italians arrived, bringing with them generations of agricultural know-how and a relentless work ethic, that the region truly began to bloom.
Today, around 60 per cent of the city’s 25,000 residents are said to claim some degree of Italian heritage, and it shines through in everything they do. Top-notch Italian eateries line the city’s main drag, Banna Avenue; walking into the famous old La Scala restaurant, down a dingy, dimly lit staircase, was like stumbling into a dinner scene from Goodfellas. The local wine scene is quietly excellent; Yellow Tail, Australia’s leading export brand and a bona fide global phenomenon, is produced in Yenda, which is a 13-minute drive to the east.
A tractor transporting harvested grapes through Yarran Wines, Yenda - just east of Griffith.CREDIT: DESTINATION NSW
Season two of Underbelly was also partially set in Griffith, harking back to a darker past that has unfairly coloured the town’s reputation.
And then, of course, there’s the soccer.
The standard of play at Griffith’s grassroots is surprisingly high given its geographic isolation. The passion for the game is strong, and it has to be, considering the immense obstacles that need to be overcome just to take part. To play at any serious level is to accept many, many hours of driving for hundreds of kilometres just to find an opponent.
In football, as in agriculture, Griffith’s best produce ends up elsewhere. If you happen to be decent - like Brisbane Roar youngster Pearson Kasawaya, or former national league players such as Michael Musitano, Eliza Ammendolia or Jordan Jasnos - you eventually have to move to the big smoke to pursue your dreams.