Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

NPL 2026

ACT kicks off next weekend, but before that happens:

'Must evolve': Canberra clubs confront Capital Football with powerful vote of no confidence​

Melanie Dinjaski

By Melanie Dinjaski
Updated March 19 2026 - 6:26am, first published 5:30am


The biggest soccer clubs in Canberra have united to deliver a powerful vote of no confidence to Capital Football, and urged that it "must evolve" as the sporting body deals with growing discontent over several issues.

On Monday night it is understood every club president with teams in the National Premier League in the Canberra region gathered to discuss the need for an overhaul at Capital Football over its approach to governing the sport.

Capital Football chief executive Samantha Farrow and chair Angelo Konstantinou. Pictures by Elesa Kurtz, Karleen Minney

Capital Football chief executive Samantha Farrow and chair Angelo Konstantinou.
Pictures by Elesa Kurtz, Karleen Minney

It comes as Capital Football is dealing with battles on multiple fronts of late, from the fallout of Gungahlin United's collapse, to the controversial NPL review, competition structure and integrity concerns, facility and field condition and shortages, and the uncertainty facing Canberra United.

The three main points raised by club presidents in Monday's meeting were governance, facilities, and the state of women's soccer, and it was demanded that these issues should be addressed by Capital Football as "a matter of priority".

The clubs called for "joint working parties" to kickstart action, and there was hope that "genuine collaboration and meaningful consultation" with Capital Football would improve the sport in Canberra long-term.

Capital Football was given a 48-hour deadline to respond to the club presidents.

"The clubs believe it is important to highlight several key issues that require attention in order to move the game forward and work constructively with Capital Football to improve governance arrangements," the clubs' statement obtained by The Canberra Timesread.

There was a stunning upset in the NPL with Yoogali SC taking all three points from Deakin Stadium


"Football in Canberra is at a point where its governance structure must evolve to better reflect the people who deliver the game every week - the clubs.

"While Capital Football, as the member federation, plays an important role in administering the sport, the current model has left many clubs feeling disconnected from key decisions that impact the game.

"There is growing concern across clubs about the lack of consultation on major decisions affecting competitions, facilities, and the broader strategic direction of football in the ACT.

"This has contributed to a perception that clubs are often treated primarily as the administrative delivery arm of Capital Football, rather than as key stakeholders in the governance and development of the game."

To achieve their goals the presidents called for better implementation of "embedded" representation at Capital Football amid feelings from clubs of isolation from decision-making that impacts their community.

They urged elected members of NPL and junior soccer clubs to be represented on the Capital Football board, and demanded reform of the Standing Advisory Committees, which was not meeting clubs' expectations from the different Canberra regions it was designed to represent.

Former members of these committees and councils have complained to The Canberra Times that previous attempts to provide recommendations to Capital Football following meetings were either not applied, or in some cases, completely ignored.

"[Having better board representation] would ensure that those responsible for delivering the game at community and elite levels have a direct voice in the decision-making process," the clubs' statement said.

"In addition, the Standing Advisory Committees and regional representative structures must be strengthened and operate as intended.

"At present, many clubs feel these mechanisms are not functioning effectively, with limited engagement, infrequent meetings, and little consultation with clubs."

On Wednesday, Capital Football was asked by The Canberra Times about its response to the meeting of clubs and their statement.

"Capital Football remains focused on working closely with club presidents to strengthen football across Canberra," chief executive Samantha Farrow said.

"Our priority is collaboration, clear frameworks, and long-term stability for the benefit of the entire football community."

Soccer facilities and grounds in terms of their allocation, availability, hire cost, and maintenance has been a hot topic in the community for years, and continues to cause headaches for clubs and players.

There is disappointment that clubs have not been consulted adequately by Capital Football to address concerns.

Capital Football's controversial NPL review last year also led to frustration from many clubs over a lack of consultation, and the perception of its rushed implementation despite objections and calls for further discussion.

"Major decisions affecting competitions, facilities, and the strategic direction of football in the ACT must involve genuine and mandatory consultation with clubs before decisions are made," the statement said.

"The clubs remain committed to working constructively with Capital Football to address the challenges facing the game. As a starting point, the clubs believe joint working parties should be established between Capital Football and clubs to focus on the key priority areas of facilities, women's football, and governance reform.

"Through genuine collaboration and meaningful consultation, football in Canberra can rebuild trust, strengthen its governance framework, and ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the game for players, clubs, and the broader football community."

The statement from NPL club presidents in full:
The NPL club presidents have felt compelled to issue a statement regarding the current state of football governance in the ACT.

The clubs believe it is important to highlight several key issues that require attention in order to move the game forward and work constructively with Capital Football to improve governance arrangements.

As a matter of priority, the NPL clubs believe focus should be directed towards three key areas: facilities, the state of women's football, and governance.

Football in Canberra is at a point where its governance structure must evolve to better reflect the people who deliver the game every week - the clubs. While Capital Football, as the member federation, plays an important role in administering the sport, the current model has left many clubs feeling disconnected from key decisions that impact the game.

There is growing concern across clubs about the lack of consultation on major decisions affecting competitions, facilities, and the broader strategic direction of football in the ACT. This has contributed to a perception that clubs are often treated primarily as the administrative delivery arm of Capital Football, rather than as key stakeholders in the governance and development of the game.

Clubs invest significant financial resources, volunteer effort, and time into sustaining football across the region. It is therefore reasonable that clubs have a stronger and more meaningful voice in how football in the ACT is governed.

The clubs believe that formal club representation must be embedded within the governance structure of Capital Football, including elected club representatives to the board from both the NPL and junior football sectors. This would ensure that those responsible for delivering the game at community and elite levels have a direct voice in the decision-making process.

In addition, the Standing Advisory Committees and regional representative structures must be strengthened and operate as intended. At present, many clubs feel these mechanisms are not functioning effectively, with limited engagement, infrequent meetings, and little consultation with clubs. These structures must actively engage with clubs and play a meaningful role in informing decisions that affect the game.

Clubs also believe that major decisions affecting competitions, facilities, and the strategic direction of football in the ACT must involve genuine and mandatory consultation with clubs before decisions are made.
The clubs remain committed to working constructively with Capital Football to address the challenges facing the game. As a starting point, the clubs believe joint working parties should be established between Capital Football and clubs to focus on the key priority areas of facilities, women's football, and governance reform.

Through genuine collaboration and meaningful consultation, football in Canberra can rebuild trust, strengthen its governance framework, and ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the game for players, clubs, and the broader football community.
 
Not sure if this had been posted.

First touch of the season in NPL2 NNSW

www.facebook.com

7.3K views · 81 reactions | WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! 🤯 THIS WAS THE FIRST KICK OF THEIR SEASON!! Carter Smith really scored FROM KICK OFF in the 2nd tier in Newcastle, NSW. He started the match like this. He ended it with a ridiculous 6 goals in

WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! 🤯 THIS WAS THE FIRST KICK OF THEIR SEASON!! Carter Smith really scored FROM KICK OFF in the 2nd tier in Newcastle, NSW. He started the match like this. He ended it with a...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
jimshady said:
Not sure if this had been posted.

First touch of the season in NPL2 NNSW

www.facebook.com

7.3K views · 81 reactions | WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! 🤯 THIS WAS THE FIRST KICK OF THEIR SEASON!! Carter Smith really scored FROM KICK OFF in the 2nd tier in Newcastle, NSW. He started the match like this. He ended it with a ridiculous 6 goals in

WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! 🤯 THIS WAS THE FIRST KICK OF THEIR SEASON!! Carter Smith really scored FROM KICK OFF in the 2nd tier in Newcastle, NSW. He started the match like this. He ended it with a...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
Click to expand...
YOINK!!! Pick that bastard out.
 
NCB - good on the Club Prez's getting together putting pressure on CF - I tend to think why they left this till the last week before koff mind you.
They should have rallied the approach few weeks back at least.
As said good on them hope CF listen/act accordingly - will be interesting what the next press release reports.
 
LFC said:
NCB - good on the Club Prez's getting together putting pressure on CF - I tend to think why they left this till the last week before koff mind you.
They should have rallied the approach few weeks back at least.
As said good on them hope CF listen/act accordingly - will be interesting what the next press release reports.
Click to expand...
Tend to think of why they didn’t do this before the restructure in the first place… all well and good that clubs like Juventus, Olympic and White Eagles are back in the NPL, but at least 4 clubs have been lost the system under this, including the regional Yoogali and Wagga (senior) teams
 
  • Like
Reactions: LFC
Marconi equalise against St.George to make it 1-1. The first goal St.George has conceded this season. 12 minutes to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top