The 2026 Emerging Socceroos Championships came to a close on Friday after six action-packed days of football.
Northern NSW Football’s under-16s secured a bronze medal after an entertaining third-place play-off.
At the closing ceremony, NNSWF under-15s were awarded the Fair Play Award.
Under-16s
Football South Australia came out of the gates firing as they looked for redemption after losing to NNSWF on day one.
NNSWF searched for the opener in the 11th minute when Levi Van Haren whipped a free kick into the box, but Riley Atherton narrowly missed.
The pressure NNSWF continued to absorb from Football South Australia paid off for their opponents in the 15th minute when they conceded.
A fantastic passage of play in the 23rd minute saw Indie McGinniskin link with Atherton, who cut it back to Eamon Gallard, but Gallard was denied by the goalkeeper.
NNSWF continued to battle for a goal but went into half-time trailing 1–0.
Zac Zigic found the equaliser in the 34th minute, launching the ball from the top of the box into the top right corner.
But Football South Australia quickly regained the lead in the 38th minute.
NNSWF battled for the remainder of the second half but appeared to be heading for a fourth-place finish.
Until, in the dying moments of the match, a corner was whipped into the box and Gallard found the top left corner, sending the sides to penalties.
Gallard stepped up first, looking to continue the momentum, and converted the opening penalty, before pressure from NNSWF goalkeeper Reagan Spliet forced Football South Australia to hit the post.
Archie Kellett, Zac Zigic and Jake Colburt all converted their penalties, while Football South Australia did the same.
Kaiden Walshe stepped up but sent his penalty over the crossbar. Football South Australia’s final penalty taker also sent the ball over the crossbar, handing NNSWF a 2(4)-2(3) victory.
The win saw NNSWF’s under-16s finish on the podium in third place.
NNSWF Talent Development Officer Brett Angell praised the under-16s determination and dramatic finish, highlighting the impact it had across the entire program.
“I think it's been a magnificent finish to the tournament, especially the way that the under-16s have achieved the bronze medal,” Angell said.
“They've been superb from minute one to the last minute and a great way to score that goal right with the last kick of the game and then take the group to penalties.
“To win the penalty shootout was tremendous and what was also pleasing was for the under- 15s see that.
“They get involved in it and certainly I think they want a little bit of that next year.”