The 2025 NAIDOC Cup came to an end after another triumphant tournament celebrating football with the First Nations community.
Northern NSW Football claimed its first-ever NAIDOC Cup victory since the tournament’s inception in 2022.
Following a successful opening ceremony on day one, day two and three showcased great football as goals, action and drama took centre stage with the champions announced for all four age groups on Friday.
NNSWF’s under-14s boys secured back-to-back wins with 2-0 and 5-2 victories.
Max Ferguson scored twice on day two and added another on day three, while Kaiden Toohey netted a hat-trick and Ned Giles also found the back of the net on day three.
The under-14s girls match-up was another tight contest with NNSWF recording two hard-fought defeats.
The side were defeated 3-0 on day two, before falling to a competitive 4-1 loss on day three, where Tahlia Radford scored her team's goal.
In the under-16s boys, the two sides fought hard to secure all six points, but it was NNSWF who walked away with dominant 5-0 and 2-0 wins.
A Joel Barton double as well as Chase McFayden, Levi Van Haren and Vinnie Hall locked in the sides first win. Before Nash Syron and Lachlan added their names on the scoreboard on day three.
The under-16s girls' matches were entertaining from start to finish with two tightly contested matches. NNSWF recorded two narrow, closely contested defeats.
The side went down 4-0 on day two, before fighting back in a tightly contested 2-1 loss on day three, where Isabella Langridge netted the side’s only goal of the tournament.
Following the accumulation of results, NNSWF won the NAIDOC Cup.
NNSWF Participation Officer – Schools and First Nations Football Micheal Hugo was thrilled that NNSWF won the tournament for the first time.
“To win the NAIDOC Cup for the first time is a proud moment for everyone involved,” Hugo said.
“It showcases the incredible Indigenous talent we have in northern NSW. The sides have grown and developed alongside the tournament over the past four years and truly deserve this.
“These events are massive, especially for these young footballers. This is our fourth year doing this event and for these young footballers to showcase their talent but also represent their mob, their culture, their families, it's just on another level.”
Northern NSW Football would like to thank all participants, coaches, referees, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for making the event special as well as Football NSW for hosting the tournament.
2025 NAIDOC Cup Day Two Results
Under-14s Boys
Northern NSW 2 (Max Ferguson 2)
Football NSW 0
Under-14s Girls
Northern NSW 0
Football NSW 3
Under-16s Boys
Northern NSW 5 (Joel Barton 2, Chase McFayden, Levi Van Haren, Vinnie Hall)
Football NSW 0
Under-16s Girls
Northern NSW 0
Football NSW 4
2025 NAIDOC Cup Day Three Results
Under-14s Boys
Northern NSW 5 (Kaiden Toohey 3, Max Ferguson, Ned Giles)
Football NSW 2
Under-14s Girls
Northern NSW 1 (Tahlia Radford)
Football NSW 4
Under-16s Boys
Northern NSW 2 (Nash Syron, Lachlan)
Football NSW 0
Under-16s Girls
Northern NSW 1 (Isabella Langridge)
Football NSW 2
2025 NAIDOC Cup Player of the Tournament Award Winners
Under-14s Boys - Kaiden Toohey (NNSWF)
Under-14s Girls – Markie Robinson (Football NSW)
Under-16s Boys – Nash Robinson (Football NSW)
Under-16s Girls - Lacey Wynne (Football NSW)
2025 NAIDOC Cup Group Winners
Under-14s Boys - NNSWF
Under-14s Girls - Football NSW
Under-16s Boys - NNSWF
Under-16s Girls - Football NSW