This weekend we wrap up the NSFA grassroots season with the 2022 Cups and Shields Finals. This year, our knockout tournaments returned after two seasons of cancellations due to COVID impacts on the competitions calendar.
We are also delighted to be hosting the inaugural NSFA Women’s Cup final after the competition was introduced this year in place of the G18 Shield. The NSFA Women’s Cup is open to all G18, Women’s All Age and Over 35s teams within the association, with ten teams competing in this year’s tournament.
Saturday’s fixtures will be played at North Turramurra Recreation Area (NTRA), while Charles Bean Oval plays host to Sunday’s matches.
TREASURER’S SHIELD – SATURDAY 10:00AM – Berowra vs St Ives
The weekend’s action kicks off with our Treasurer’s Shield final between Berowra and St Ives.
Both matches between these two teams in the Under 14 Super League competition have been hotly contested, a 2-all draw in July and a 2-1 win to St Ives back in May. St Ives finished the league season unbeaten, but we all know anything can happen in a final!
RICK CLOSE CUP – SATURDAY 12:00PM – North Sydney United vs West Pymble
A dynasty has slowly developed in the Rick Close Cup in recent years, with North Sydney United winning the last four tournaments. The team in red and black will be seeking a fifth straight title, following on from winning the Over 35s Division 1 by ten points.
Standing in their path is West Pymble, who defeated Lindfield in a close semi-final this week. With the competition named after a club legend, Pymble would be eager to reclaim the title, having won 13 of the previous 21 tournaments.
NSFA MEN’S CUP – SATURDAY 3:00PM – Willoughby Dalleys FC vs Lindfield
Saturday’s action concludes with the Men’s Cup final between Willoughby Dalleys FC and Lindfield. The Cup represents some unfinished business for Willoughby Dalleys FC, having fallen short in the 2019 final against local rivals Chatswood Rangers. With new coach Paul Orgad at the helm, Willoughby Dalleys FC won the 2020 Premier League title but fell short in the final round this year. Orgad, a former NSFA employee, will be looking to win bragging rights over NSFA CEO Ed Ferguson, who captains the Lindfield side.
It has not been a successful season from Lindfield’s perspective, finishing the Premier League campaign in fifth after a slow start to the season. The team has proved to be ‘cup specialists’ though, progressing well into the Australia Cup qualifying rounds this year and defeating Premier League champions Berowra in their NSFA Men’s Cup semi final.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S SHIELD – SUNDAY 9:00AM – Lindfield 16A v Lindfield 15A
It is once again an all-Lindfield affair in the Vice-President’s shield, with the club’s Under 15 and Under 16 teams replicating the club’s success in the 2019 competition. Both teams excelled in their respective Super League competitions this year, with the Under 15s defeating North Turramurra Under 15s and Northbridge 16s on their way to the final. The Under 16s racked up huge wins over Lane Cove West and Hornsby Heights in their previous rounds, but will be wary of a repeat of the 2019 final, which saw the Under 15s triumph on penalties.
PRESIDENT’S SHIELD – SUNDAY 12:00PM – West Pymble vs Hornsby Heights
West Pymble will enter this year’s President’s Shield final as favourites after finishing atop the Under 18 Super League competition. However, Hornsby Heights will be ready to fight for the result, having come through a tough win on penalties in their semi final against Lindfield.
Pymble have won both league matches between the sides this season but Heights halved the deficit in the second fixture (2-0 loss) and will draw some confidence from Pymble’s final round loss to Prouille – the best team on the day lifts the trophy!
NSFA WOMEN’S CUP – SUNDAY 3:30PM – Turramurra United vs UTS White
NSFA competitions for the season conclude for the year with our first NSFA Women’s Cup final, featuring a clash between two teams that have not played each other during 2022!
A new team to NSFA competitions in 2022, UTS White were dominant in Women’s All Age 2, winning the league by several points to secure a Premier League position for 2023. They underlined their ability with an impressive win over Premier League runners-up Lindfield in the quarter-final and will fancy their chances against Turramurra United.
Turramurra have also enjoyed a successful season, lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in a title race that came down to the final match of the season against Lindfield. Both teams will be eagar to make history and become the first Women’s Cup champion!
We wish all participating teams and supporters the best of luck and we look forward to 6 great games of football.
Special thanks to the following local dignitaries for their support across the weekend: Jeff Pettett (Mayor of Ku-ring-gai), Alister Henskens (State Member for Ku-ring-gai), Tanya Taylor (Mayor of Willoughby), Kim Wheatley (Ku-ring-gai Councillor), Martin Smith (Ku-ring-gai Councillor) and Barbara Ward (Ku-ring-gai Councillor).