Football NSW

Staff Update: Nikki Riddle welcomed back as North West Sydney’s new Game Development Officer

North West Sydney Football (NWSF) is very excited to announce that Nikki Riddle has been appointed as its new Game Development Officer.

Nikki will be responsible primarily to drive participation within Female, Masters and Walking football.

Nikki returns to the Association having previously been employed as NWSF’s Competition’s Coordinator for three seasons before moving onto the City of Ryde for a period of 9 months as their Sportsground Liaison Officer.

The Game Development role is specifically targeted towards supporting our local clubs and game development programs, with a view to increase participation of Football and the game within the North West. The role centres around developing existing and establishing new programs along with improving the quality of the participants experience when they come into a football environment.

“Nikki is warmly welcomed back to the Association with her already extensive local Club network, football knowledge and passion for the game within North West Sydney.” CEO Jeremy Toivonen stated.

“This knowledge, in combination with Nikki’s energetic and engaging personality, will aim to help drive existing and exciting new programs, activations and initiatives throughout the region in the key areas of Female, Masters, Walking participation.”

“We have a tremendous opportunity to increase our engagement with our existing football community in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 and also welcome new participants who would like to try are great game at any level.” Toivonen added.

“I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to be returning to the North West Sydney Football Family in the new Game Development Officer role.” said Nikki Riddle.

Ms. Riddle will commence the role on 23 June 2022 and can be contacted at game.development@nwsf.com.au

Macquarie Dragons Premier League squad: the first NWSF club to make it to Australia Cup Round 5.

The Dragons are the first NWSF Club to make it this far! Round 5 Preview

Congratulations are in order for the Dragons squad due to play Round 5 on Tuesday 17 May – they’re the first team to make it this far in the competition!

Seeing Macquarie Dragons Premier League remain competitive for Preliminary Round 5 of the Australia Cup (formerly FFA Cup) is a testament to how competitive the local NWSF competition has become.

“Being the 1st NWSF team to make it to this round is a fantastic effort” said Steve Crawford, from the NWSF Football Management Committee

Their round 4 fixture was a tough challenge, though a free kick before half time levelled the score to 1-1 then the goals were flowing for Macquarie Dragons in the second half

“Our squad received enormous support from the Dragons community and our committee, which we are so thankful for” reflected Coach Luca Falcone.

“There was so much buzz around the group on matchday” Luca said.

Luca is Coach to MDFC Premier League, and Assistant Coach to Spirit FC First Grade. When asked why the squad has been so successful, he attributed the Dragons player attitudes and the strong foundations supported by the club committee.

“We compete, we learn, we get better as a group [first and reserve grade]- we make our environment through hard work and dedication, which is similar to the successful Spirit FC ecosystem”

NWSF DNA is live

North West Sydney Football is delighted to launch its new coach education and player development resource, nwsfdna.com.

The NWSF DNA is a framework developed by the association and representative programs to achieve our vision of fostering and growing the game of football in North West Sydney.

“The framework is focused on three key pillars – the high quality people across the association, working together to provide positive environments so we can play, enjoy and develop in the game.” said Tim Palmer, Coach and Player Development Manager.

Built by Spirit FC for the NWSF clubs, Nwsfdna.com provides specific resources and information to bring together our people, the environment and the game.

In order to support coaches in their development of holistic people/players, coaches can access:

session plans,
season programs,
videos and additional resources

This ranges from our youngest participants in Miniroos to those in our more senior teams, as NWSF strives to support a connected local ecosystem working together towards a common goal.

This new resource is deliberately designed as an evolving project, with new content and resources to be added in the coming months to support clubs and coaches in bringing the DNA to life.

Want to learn more? The website is also designed as a complement to our coach education offerings to provide further information and resources to our dedicated coaches across all NWSF clubs. Head there now…

Ryde Council and North West Sydney Football invite you to WALK DON’T RUN!

In support of the NSW Governments ‘Seniors Festival’, North West Sydney Football and Ryde Council have teamed up to deliver Walking Football locally.

The NSW Seniors Festival aimed at those over 60, gives you the chance to make new friends or get together with old ones at an array of local community programs.

The NWSF Walking Football program runs at North Epping Bowling Club, 6:30pm each Friday, from Friday 1 April, until Friday 29 July. It aims to provide participants with physical and mental health benefits, social connections, and the benefits of ongoing physical activity.

What is Walking Football?
Walking Football is strictly non-contact. The very rare collisions that do happen are accidental and at a low speed. So the chances of getting injured are dramatically reduced. Players are consistently reminded not to become too competitive before games and during games by the refs and other players.

“It’s Fun” stated local Walking Football player. “I enjoy the social side; it’s as much about talking with teammates as it is walking” reflected Nick.

Walking Football’s rise to popularity comes from the community focused model as echoed by NWSF CEO Jeremy Toivonen who stated “The emphasis is social and not on winning. It’s all about getting out of the house and meeting new people”.

“It’s a great form of exercise” said Karen Waud, association Chair.

Walking football is quickly becoming a great way for you to keep fit and stay involved in football. Research in the UK (where the game has been played for 10 years) has shown that it is a good cardio-vascular exercise.

You might feel a bit tired after a game, but the recovery time is much shorter than running football where you might feel the effects of a game for a few days.

So, walk don’t run, and sign up today!

Spirit FC & North Ryde SC local Alex Wilkinson to join Socceroos in Sydney

Experienced Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson will come into the camp in Sydney to provide defensive cover for the Sydney match.

The Socceroos’ squad for Thursday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualification fixture against Japan (home) has been updated further to include Spirit FC alumni Alex Wilkinson.

Wilkinson joined local junior football club North Ryde SC and then went on to play for the Gladesville Hornsby Northern Spirit (now Spirit FC) Youth Team. He played for Spirit FC from Under 11s to Under 17s and has since played for Central Coast Mariners, before joining his current team Sydney FC.

You can watch Alex live and in person at Homebush this Thursday. More details…

Matchday 9: Australia v Japan
Date: Thursday, 24 March 2022
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Tickets: Tickets available from Ticketek
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play

West Ryde Rovers crowned 2022 Gilmour Cup Winners

Congratulations to West Ryde Rovers on securing their 2nd Gilmour Cup Final win.
Rovers overcame a last minute equaliser in normal time by Ryde Saints United, to score a 2-1 win with a golden goal in extra time by #18 Mclean.

Match details:
Christie Park #2
6pm Saturday 19th March
West Ryde Rovers (2) vs Ryde Saints United (1)