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Popular NWSF Holiday Clinics are back and open for bookings

Come down and join in the fun at one of NWSF September and October 2022 Clinics!

⚽ Why not sort your child’s holiday entertainment early and book now?

These camps aim to introduce and engage kids in the beautiful game by keeping active and making friends in a safe, inclusive and fun environment.

Kick-off the holidays with three days of football fun for your child under the watchful eyes of our NWS Spirit FC qualified coaches.

ℹ️ Beginner: These clinics are for U5 to U8 year olds

ℹ️ Intermediate: These clinics are for U9 to U12 year olds

ℹ️ Advanced: The clinics are only for players of a division 2, division 1 and representative standard from U9 to U14

Designed for boys and girls aged between 4 and 14 years old, these clinics run in each of the school holidays periods and are the perfect opportunity for new and pre-existing players to master the basic foundations of football.

Players will go through our best in class Spirit FC DNA football programs written by our Head of Player Development Tim Palmer

Individual Technical Development
Group Core Actions
Gameplay Tactical Positional Training
Performance Mentality
High Performance Strength and Conditioning

For any questions, email Nikki via game.development@nwsf.com.au

CHRISTIE PARK 6-a-side Summer Football!

All team managers are asked to please click here to register and pay for their team for this year’s 6-a-side Summer Competition at Christie Park.

After team nominations are complete, players will be asked to register (as individuals) into their teams.

Click here for the 2023 Competition Regulations which contain further details of how the competitions will be run.

Competition Format:
Details include 6v6 format and 20min halves to a maximum of 10 players per team.

Competition dates:
The Christie Park competition commences 10 October 2023 depending on the competition structure. Dates for the season are listed below.

Competition nights:
Tuesday: Men’s All Age, Ladies All Age, Ladies O30s
Wednesday: Men’s Over 35, Men’s O45, Walking Football
Thursday: Premier Men’s All Age, Men’s All Age, Mixed All Age

Competition Management:
The competition will be managed via DRIBL.
Note: final competition nights will be confirmed when nominations close.
Games will likely be played at 6.30pm, 7.15pm, 8.00pm and 8.45pm.

Cost:
All competitions – $1300 per team

North West Sydney Spirit FC Champions of Waratah Cup 2022

Our representative NWS Spirit FC Men’s team have secured a sensational 2-1 victory!

They were triumphant over NPL NSW Men’s side Sydney United 58 FC to claim the Waratah Cup at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday 7th August.

#ThatsTheSpirit

#WaratahCup2022

North West Sydney Football launch Legacy club recognition

Legacy 23 was formed off the back of our NWSF World Cup & Beyond women’s working party and has been established to champion our clubs who are doing great work in the space of women’s football. As we look forward to the women’s world cup on home soil in 2023, North West Sydney Football is dedicated to provide pathways and opportunities within our sport through Playing, Coaching, Refereeing & Volunteering.

Clubs recognised under the Legacy 23 initiative will be provided additional resources and opportunity that will help further develop the already great things you are doing at your club.

The Legacy 23 initiative will see 2 categories; those that have already reached Legacy 23 status and those clubs working towards it. Only those who have met the criteria will have access to the exclusive Legacy 23 offers. However those that are working towards this will receive additional support to reach this milestone.

NWSF Association Directors Tracey Williams and Jodie Camden Co-Chair the Association’s “WWC 2023 and Beyond Working Group”. This working group formed mid 2021, drawing on nominated club representatives keen to work with the Association and grass roots football. It’s designed to optimise outcomes for female participation in our sport ahead of the FIFA WWC 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. The working group is developing strategies to assist the Board to leverage a number of exciting opportunities the FIFA Womens World Cup 2023 brings for the future of female football in our association’s geographic footprint.

Jodie Camden said “We are proud of the collective efforts of our working group members, including member club and NWS Referee representatives. Their help is vital to ensure delivery of future success through initiatives such as appointment of females onto club committees, female coaching co-ordinators and female football co-ordinators. We are identifying future leaders from this amazing group of volunteers and look forward to charting the success of strategies developed within the working group.”

14 clubs achieve Legacy recognition as of August 2022.

Beecroft

Epping Eastwood

Epping FC

Flying Bats

Gladesville Sharks

Macquarie Dragons

Normanhurst

North Epping Rangers

North Ryde Soccer Club

Pennant Hills

Putney Rangers

Roselea

West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook

West Ryde Rovers

We are all responsible to get rid of referee abuse

Local referees Daniel Emeleus, Rowan Emeleus, Tom Emeleus and Aidan Emeleus chat with Sydney Morning Herald and ABC radio about creating a culture of RESPECT to reduce and remove referee abuse.

North West Sydney Football Referees Association (NWSFRA) president Tom Emeleus said half of our first-year referees do not return for a second season. “The most common reason cited is the abuse they’ve copped.”

“I’ve had some nasty incidents along the way but have learned skills throughout that see me still enthusiastic to continue refereeing,” Tom’s 19yo son Aidan Emeleus said.

“Of course, I’d enjoy it even more without the regular dissent and occasional abuse.”

Read the full SMH article http://ow.ly/kigA50K8euS

ABC Radio have since followed up on the referee abuse issue. Listen to Tom’s 5 minute chat with them on their Breakfast show by jumping to 1:00:30 on the link below.

http://ow.ly/vYON50K8euR

Play your part to stop referee abuse… take a look at the open letter submitted by NWSFRA father and son.

Open Letter

NWS Spirit FC Men’s Promoted to NPL1 in 2023

2023 will see North West Sydney Spirit Football Club Men’s join the Women’s in NPL1.

Our NWS Spirit FC Men’s League worked hard throughout season 2022, earning them promotion into NPL 1 for Season 2023.

Huge congratulations to Head Coach David Perkovic and his players for this history making achievement.

Now the club can proudly boast to have both men and women in NPL 1 next year #ThatsTheSpirit

(Pictured Tim Thorne, Frank Marchi and David Perkovic)

Play Your Part to Stop Referee Abuse

Abuse of referees is a blight on the game and will not be tolerated at any level.

Here is a part of a report from a referee officiating in the North West Sydney Football competition
– on the same weekend, he and his 14 year old son were abused.

I am withdrawing from refereeing for an indefinite period. I was involved in several incidents over the weekend.
I was subjected to consistent abusive language from players and people on the sideline, and consistent questioning of my decisions.
I felt unsafe with the level of anger directed at me.
I have lost sleep and I am left with stress and anxiety. I shouldn’t have to be subjected to the level of abuse I received.
My 14-year-old son (also a referee) was approached and inappropriately questioned by an angry parent who wanted to question a throw-in, and his (correct) decision to not allow a goal to stand after the half time whistle had been blown.
I really do feel isolated and disconnected as a referee. I find myself questioning whether I want to continue doing this if this is how I will be treated on my weekends.
I saw refereeing as a way for me to help others enjoy the game that I love, but the behaviour of some players in a number of games I have refereed has been appalling and I need to take a break.

These excerpts come from a report from an adult male referee. He and his 14 year old son took up refereeing this year to “help others enjoy the game”.

The abuse and questioning of decisions from players, managers and spectators has resulted in both referees ceasing their involvement.

That potentially means around 50 games will go uncovered for the remainder of this year, as a direct result of 2 referees leaving due to abuse.

At football games, the standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Play your part to stop abuse of referees. #RespectTheRef #RespectTheGame

Take a look at NWSFRA open letter Play Your Part to Stop the Abuse of Referees

Familiarise yourself with the NWSF Code Of Conduct

North West News JULY 2022

Building Updates, Youthsafe message, TOTW, PINK program and more!

Here are 12 things you might have missed in JULY – https://mailchi.mp/nwsf/north-west-news-july

Play Interact Network Kick players enjoy Football4all Gala Day 2022

Check out the smiles on our PINK (play, interact, network, kick) players!

The sun was shining last weekend during the Nova Employment Football NSW Football4all Gala Day 2022.

Our NWSF PINK footballers were full of energy and football skills during the incredible day at Valentine Sports Park. They enjoyed the even alongside 300 participants who took part in one of the biggest ‘All Abilities’ football event.

Thank you to The Epping Club for supporting the PINK program.

Jeremy Ng and Damian Briggs

Local and Surrounding players invited to join Spirit Cup 2022

Teams are invited to join the Spirit Cup from NWSF and other associations across Sydney. The Spirit Cup is one day holiday tournament for teams in the U8/U9/U10/U11/U12 age groups for mixed/boys teams and is targeted at division 1 & 2 and social teams in two different levels of competition.

Super Division – Division 1 and 2 Level
Social Division – Division 3+ Level

FAQ:

Competitions are also broken into Mixed and Girls tournaments.
Teams can be made up of one local team or different players of the correct age across other clubs and associations.
The tournament is aimed at providing a high quality event with a minimum of 4 games and all having the chance to play in one of the graded finals.

Tournament Features:
All games played on quality synthetic fields
Professional organisation – powered by NWSF and Spirit FC staff
Qualified referees (powered by Spirit FC)
First Aid qualified personnel onsite
Match balls supplied
Trophies – Winners Trophy/Medals
Food and drinks for sale

Dates
July 7th and 8th
Dates and times will be confirmed once the draw is announced
8.30am to 4pm

Format:
7v7 Format

Venues:
Christie Park Synthetic Fields

Registration:
Registrations open – 7th June
Early bird team registration fee – $670 – if you pay prior to 21 June
Team registration fee – $770 – if you pay from 22 June
Registrations close – Thursday 30 June
Registration link – https://form.jotform.com/221497770931867

NWSF relaunch 4v4 5v5 (Development Cup 2022)

The NWSF 4v4 and 5v5 Tournament is a phenomenon of fun and football. It’s a great environment to come and play in a positive environment on all weather synthetic fields.

All teams play a minimum of 5 games with round robin, semi finals and finals for all who enter.
Dates:
The U6 to U12 event is on Sunday June 26th from 1pm

Venue:
Christie Park Synthetic Fields

Format:
U6/7 play 4v4 and U8-12 play 5v5. We have mixed and female competitions.

Registration:
Cost is $20 per team. To register click this link – https://form.jotform.com/221231377053851

We would like to also thank the NWSF Spirit FC players for refereeing the tournament and the NWSF Spirit FC Coaches and staff who are all running the day.

School Holidays Sorted with Camps

In partnership with Spirit FC, North West Sydney Football are excited to confirm the dates and location for our July School Holiday Clinics.

We are also excited to confirm the return of our GIRLS ONLY clinic.

Running from 9am to 12pm Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th July.

These clinics are a fun and educational way for your child to increase their footballing knowledge and development, allowing them to enhance their skill level whilst in a fun, team environment.

Participants will have a great time, with our qualified Sprit FC coaches providing high quality sessions focusing on technique, game awareness and fun!

Don’t miss your chance to join the fun these school holidays!

You can now sign up to join our Spirit FC coaches and development partners Soccer Kickstart as we relaunch the Holiday Clinics these school holidays. CLICK HERE for all the details and to register.

No Respect = No Referee

North West Sydney Football (NWSF) and North West Sydney Football Referees Association (NWSFRA) urge our community to PLAY YOUR PART TO STOP THE ABUSE OF REFEREES.

The NWSF RESPECT program was introduced in 2016 and is an ongoing journey to change to culture in Football to a consistently positive and rewarding one

The aim is to create an enjoyable and safe playing environment for ALL participants locally (players, spectators, coaches, volunteers and importantly officials).

In practice, to recognise those supporting good behaviour every year, one of our 34 clubs is awarded the Fair Play Award by measuring a summary of yellow cards, red cards, and incident reports. Previous winners have been:
2015 Beecroft FC
2016 West Ryde Eagles FC
2017 Old Ignatians FC
2018 Beecroft FC
2019 Roselea FC
2020 & 2021 Not awarded (COVID-19)

The Fundamental Aim of the RESPECT program is to encourage Respect towards:
-The match officials, without whom the game would be much less enjoyable
-The opposition, without whom there would be no game
-The laws, which keep the game fair and safe
-Yourself, set yourself standards and stick to them no matter what anyone else does

Abuse of referees is occurring locally and will not be tolerated at any level. #RespectTheRef #RespectTheGame
-Officials are also there because they enjoy the game
-They will do their best to keep you safe and enforce the rules
-They are people too. Most likely part of your own football community or a nearby club
-They may make a mistake as do all of us on the field.
-There is never an excuse for treating them with disrespect.
-Support them especially when they are wrong.
-Abusing a referee will never change a decision. It may lead to you being sanctioned. It does certainly lead to match officials giving up and not returning.

Enjoy the game. Be positive to all around you. Be the person that others look forward to playing again.

Normanhurst FC join the fun at NWSF PINK Program

Community Spotlight

Last Sunday, Normanhurst Eagles Football Club WU10/1s team joined the NWSF PINK players in some warm up fun games and then played modified games. #InclusiveSport

Rae Dower ( Junior Commonwealth Bank Matildas Coach and Football Australia Women’s Technical Advisor) spoke to the Normanhurst parents and players, then joined the session. #ThankYou

The Normanhurst team stayed for the “PINK of the week” medal presentation which was presented to Jess Giusti and Emily Town. Congratulations to both players.