The NSW State cup hosted by Football NSW is a state wide competition held annually with grand finals played at Valentine Sports Park, FNSW headquarters. This competition attracts over 500 clubs each year and has seen a dramatic increase in the quality and professionalism of clubs and players over the past decade. The competition exists for clubs/teams from under 12’s through to over 35’s for Boys/Men, and 12’s 14’s 16’s 18’s 21’s and All Age for the Girls/Women.

Football South Coast is proud to be represented by the many clubs entering from our region, many of which have progressed through the opening rounds of the competition, showcasing the immense pool of talent held on the South Coast.

Port Kembla Junior Football Club’s under 16’s Boys team and Shellharbour boys under 13’s won the State Cup last year, and Albion Park Football Club’s Women’s side being crowned champions the year before.

Football South Coast are excited to be represented by these and many other teams from the region and hope that the success experienced by these teams can be emulated by even more squads from our region in this year’s competition.

To take us through the experience of progressing through, the build up, and eventual victory of the state cup, Football South Coast would like to introduce Albion Park Women’s coach Richard Davis to shed some light on his team’s Journey.

Richard’s Womens team competed and won the 2014 state cup 3-1 against Brookvale in a game described by Richard as one that could have changed in a heartbeat, stating that the last few minutes of the game could have broken hearts, but luckily didn’t. When asked what it felt like to win a state title, Richard replied: “It was great! It was an excellent chance to showcase Women’s football in the Illawarra and how far it has come in the past few years. With a massive credit to the hard work, team work and dedication to each other (and training) by the Albion Park girls that won them the day”. Celebratory drinks and dinner with the whole club of Albion Park Juniors took place that evening after a large number of supporters made the trek to Blacktown cheering and bellowing life and energy from the sidelines.

Richard owes his success to his players and their dedication to the game, claiming that the girls trained hard, they supported each other, they played for each other and they never gave any less than 120% every time they had boots on, it didn’t matter if it was training or a game. Richard believes that his squad will be very competitive this year again and would love another long cup run, “but one game at a time, anyone can be beaten on the day” says Richard.

Richard has been coaching for 5-6 years and in his opinion, female football has boomed in growth, not only in sheer numbers, but competitiveness and professionalism. The First Division competition here in the Illawarra has a good 6 or 7 clubs that can win the league, which highlights the number of talented individuals and teams all pursuing the euphoria of being crowned champions of football.

Football South Coast would like to wish all clubs representing the South Coast Region all the best in the up coming FSNW State Cup competitions across all ages and genders, and hopes that the talent of the region can be showcased to the highest degree.

The various draws and results can be found on the FNSW website.

Story by Sammy Jordan