Northern NSW Football’s rich history began in Minmi in 1884, when the area’s early coal miners formed the first teams, including Minmi Rangers and Hamilton Athletic. Lambton Thistles followed in 1885.

On the Queen’s Birthday in 1886, Newcastle hosted Sydney in the first representative match between the two regions. Newcastle won 2–1 in front of 2,000 spectators, with gate takings of £51.

In 1922, New Zealand defeated Australia in the first football international. William “Podge” Maunder and Peter Doyle became the first Northern NSW players to represent Australia, with Maunder scoring Australia’s first international goal.

In June 1923, Australia hosted New Zealand in its first international on home soil. Cessnock’s Perce Lennard scored Australia’s first goal on Australian soil.

Football across Northern NSW continued to grow—from the Northern District British Football Association to the establishment of a regional governing body in 1958, the Northern NSW Soccer Federation. In 2006, the organisation became Northern NSW Football, adopting the name used by the world game.

Today, Northern NSW has more than 114,000 registered participants across over 200 clubs, making it Australia’s fourth-largest football state.

We look forward to continuing our vital role in developing players for the world stage and creating grassroots opportunities for male and female players of all ages across Northern NSW—including the young stars of tomorrow.