The 2026 Deploy Association Championships took place this week, with teams representing the Hills Football Association competing in the inaugural competition and testing themselves against the best from the other 32 Football NSW associations.
The competition, held from Tuesday to Thursday at the state-of-the-art Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, saw Boys Under 13 and Under 14 teams and Girls Under 14 and Under 15 teams represent their association. The tournament follows the FIFA World Cup format, with teams aiming to advance from the groups into the knockout stages.
All teams that represented Hills Football competed fantastically, with the Under 13 boys missing out in the quarter finals, the Under 14 boys reaching the finals only to narrowly go down on penalties, the Under 14 girls narrowly missing out in the quarter finals, and the Under 15 girls going down in the semifinals and finishing 3rd in the 3 v 4 playoff.
Alongside the on-field competition, the three-day event also hosts referee coaching sessions, coach education workshops, and player talent identification programs. Match officials have also been sourced from local branches to further strengthen community development pathways. Edward Hall and Dominque Ashton, who are part of the Hills Football Referee Association, have been selected as representatives for this tournament. With Dominque appointed as the referee for the U15 Girls Final and Edward appointed as the referee for an U14 Boys Semi Final.
“The Association Championships were a great opportunity for our Hills Community players to play in a new competition against Football NSW’s best community talent. This opportunity has allowed players to maximise their full potential and represent the Hills to the best of their ability. Over the 3 days, we saw great, brave football action, showcasing the talent we have here in the Hills. “Stated Reece Gariel, Hills Football, Community Football Manager.
“We look forward to continuing to support these players on their future football development journeys and are so proud of how they performed.” He added
The event is set to become an annual fixture in the state’s footballing calendar, with the aim of further progress and showcasing every association and the best talent across the state.
