The Football NSW State Cup is a major statewide cup competition that allows all Hills Football member clubs to take on clubs from across the state and test themselves against the best the state has to offer. Kicking off in the first weekend of May and with the finals on the second Sunday of July, clubs can participate and experience the 70-year cup competition without interfering with their league commitments, with games played on Sundays.
The State Cup attracts over 500 entries annually, making it one of the largest state cup competitions in the country. The competition is not limited to senior football either, with Football NSW hosting state cups for both boys and girls age groups from U13’s up to U18’s, with an additional U21 and O/35 male competition running as well.
“It’s a great competition where we can play against some of the best teams in the state,” U15’s Kellyville Kolts head coach Nick Webb said.
Historically, Hills Football has had a strong presence in the competition and has emerged victorious on several occasions. Baulkham Hills famously won the All Age Men State Cup in 2007; Castle Hill went back-to-back in the Over 35 State Cup in 2008 and 2009; Winston Hills did the double in 2019, winning both the U14 and U15 boys State Cups; and, most recently, Kellyville United won the 2024 U14 girls State Cup.
Multiple clubs participated in the first and second rounds, which were played over the first three weeks of May. Castle Hill United, Kellyville Kolts and Rouse Hill Rams all progressed in the U21 men’s state cup. Hill Knights were unable to get past Cronulla Seagulls in the U18 women’s state cup. Meanwhile, in the junior age groups, the U14 Rouse Hill Rams and U16 Winston Hills boys needed penalties to advance to the third round, while the U15 Baulkham Hills girls booked their spot with a convincing 3-0 win.
“We have gone very well so far, and my team has stepped up to the challenge and has been putting in an amazing effort to play and win,” Webb said.
“The team enjoys the competitive nature of it being a knockout, and it feels like every game is the grand final.”
The third round marks the halfway point in this year’s State Cup. Set to take place on the 31st of May, if the clubs are able to win their third-round fixture, they will advance to the quarterfinals and be one step closer to State Cup glory.
“We play against Coniston JFC in the fourth round, and both the team and I would love to progress further,” Webb said.
“It would be a massive achievement to be able to win the State Cup and both the amazing people at Kellyville Kolts, and I would be ecstatic.”
