NWS Spirit FC

Gala Night 2024 a Spirit success!

Spirit FC is proud to announce the resounding success of our annual Gala Night, held at the prestigious Oatlands House. The evening was a true celebration of our club’s spirit, showcasing the dedication of our players, coaches, and volunteers, and the unwavering support of our passionate local community.

We were honoured to welcome special guests Sophie Harding, a trailblazing figure in women’s football, and Nathan Burns, an iconic name in Australian football. Their inspiring speeches and anecdotes about their remarkable careers set the tone for a fantastic night of club culture.

The silent auction was a testament to the generosity of our supporters, raising a substantial amount to further enhance our training programs and provide new equipment for our players. The lively atmosphere continued late into the night, with attendees enjoying the music and dancing, making it a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved.

The success of the Gala Night not only reinforces the vibrant spirit that defines Spirit FC but also highlights the strong bond we share with our community. We extend our sincerest gratitude to all who attended and contributed to this unforgettable evening, and we look forward to many more successful events in the future.

NWS Spirit FC progress through to the Australia Cup Round of 32!

NWS Spirit FC have secured their spot in the prestigious Australia Cup Round of 32, following a thrilling 2-1 victory over 2020 Australia Cup finalists Sydney United 58. This represents our second progression to the milestone stage of the national knockout competition, the first coming in 2022.

On the night, Patrick Antelmi gave Sydney United an early lead, but the Spirit’s resilience shone through. Former United 58 defender Ante Bakmaz equalized for the Spirit, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Jared Lum emerged as the hero, netting a fine winning goal.

This victory marked the culmination of a strong cup run for NWS Spirit FC, which saw them defeat the likes of Dulwich Hill and Sydney Olympic on their path to the final Preliminary Round. This hard-fought progression not only marks a significant milestone for the club but also adds another chapter to our proudly local history.

The Australia Cup Round of 32 draw now sees Mens First Grade take on Glenorchy Knights FC from Tasmania. Full fixture details will be confirmed at a later date.

Spirit’s Gala Night is coming!

North West Sydney Spirit FC (NWS Spirit FC) is excited to announce its annual Gala Night, taking place on Friday, July 5th, 2024, at the Oatlands House in Oatlands. This year’s event promises to be the club’s biggest night yet, filled with celebration, recognition, and entertainment.

The Gala Night serves as a platform to acknowledge the achievements of NWS Spirit FC players, coaches, and volunteers throughout the season. Attendees can look forward to a night of fine dining, dancing, and live music.

Tickets for the Gala Night are available for purchase via TryBooking. This is a fantastic opportunity for the North West Sydney football community to come together and celebrate the sport they love.

For more information and ticket bookings, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1227116.

Don’t miss out on this memorable night!

NWSF Academy, powered by NWS Spirit FC, hits new records!

NWSF’s Academy program, powered by NWS Spirit FC, is experiencing unprecedented interest, with record numbers of young athletes turning out for trials in 2024. The surge in participation reflects the program’s growing reputation for developing talented footballers and providing a pathway to elite-level competition.

The Academy offers a comprehensive training program for players aged 8-18, focusing on developing the NWSF DNA. The NWS Spirit FC coaching staff are committed to nurturing each athlete’s individual potential and fostering a love for the game.

With the increased interest in the program, NWS Spirit FC is excited about the future of its Academy and the role it will play in shaping the next generation of players through our pathway.

Our whole club comes together to celebrate Tribe Day!

NWS Spirit FC celebrated a triumphant Tribe Day, uniting the club’s passionate community for a day of football, camaraderie, and celebration. Christie Park was awash with the club’s iconic colours as fans of all ages came together to revel in their shared passion for the beautiful game.

The day was filled with exciting football action, culminating in two thrilling victories for Spirit FC. The Women’s First Grade team showcased their skill and determination, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bulls Academy. The winning goal from Savannah Murray, a spectacular long-distance strike, was the highlight of the First Grade fixtures. The Men’s First Grade team followed suit, also triumphing 2-1 over Hills United in a display of grit and teamwork.

The event was a true testament to the strong bond that exists within the Spirit FC community, a testament to the club’s strong culture and togetherness.

NWS Spirit FC’s Womens First Grade gear up for 2024!

After finishing in 3rd place in 2023, NWS Spirit will be itching to go one better and push their rivals for a spot at the top.

Spirit will hope for greater stability in their defence this season, having conceded 35 goals across 2023. There was no trouble delivering at the other end of the pitch however, with Spirit ranked 3rd in the league for goals scored after notching a total of 49.

Spirit’s attack was boosted by the signing of 2022 NPL NSW Women’s player of the year Rola Badawiya last season, whilst striker Sophie Harding’s recent call-up to the Matildas squad more than exemplifies the flair available to the North Sydney based side up front.

Last year’s head coach, Tiana Gauci, moved on at the end of last season to join up with Perth Glory’s A-League Women’s side as an assistant. Gauci would be replaced by former Marconi First Grade Men’s coach and Blacktown City coach Tony Candy, a suitable choice who already had six years at the Spirit under his belt.

A full pre-season under the helm of new coach Candy, after a successful year with Gauci, leaves the side best-placed to improve on a strong 3rd place finish and to close the gap on APIA Leichardt and Macarthur Rams.

Returning stars Nat Tobin, along with Erin Pridmore and Morgan Roberts – who finished as the club’s top goal scorer for the 2023 season – will also hold the Spirit in good stead.

By Matthew Badrov, Football NSW

NWS Spirit FC’s Mens First Grade kick off NPL for 2024!

NWS Spirit FC will be looking to build on a statement first season in NPL Men’s NSW, which saw them finish in 11th place, safely away from the relegation playoff with 16 points separating them from 15th.

Spirit were one of the most exciting teams in the competition last season, playing some champagne football, and taking in part of some of the most dramatic games of the season.

In games in which NWS Spirit were involved in throughout the season, an astonishing 11 goals were scored in the 90th minute or after.

Seven of these were meaningful goals – goals that changed the result at the time and/or had an impact on the final result.

20 goals were scored in the 80th minute or beyond, with 15 of them being a meaningful goal, demonstrating the excitement of watching the Spirit last campaign.

The games that epitomised this was round nine against Wollongong Wolves, where before the 80th minute, the score was 3-2 to NWS Spirit’s opponents.

However, the match ended 5-4 to the Spirit, with NWS netting three goals in the 90th minute or later after Wollongong added a fourth in the 83rd minute.

Meanwhile, they were exceptional at their home at Christie Park; eight of the Spirit’s 11 wins last campaign came at their home ground – including a highly impressive 2-1 win against APIA, who were chasing points to secure the title, while they lost just four matches there compared to their nine away from home.

For the new season, coach David Perkovic has signed Gianni Bouzoukis, Bradley Whitworth, Titus Macharia, Brayden Burr, Ante Bakmaz and goalkeeper Jack Greenwood, while club captain Grant Cornwell will re-join the squad after picking up a knee injury to keep him out of the 2023 campaign.

Spirit will be looking to harness that excitement again this campaign and move their positive home record interstate, as they look to further secure their spot as a formidable force in the NPL Men’s competition.

By Jack George (FNSW)

Spirit success in Bathurst for our Youth League squads!

Spirit FC continued the annual tradition of travelling to Proctor Park in Bathurst for tournaments featuring our Mixed Youth League, Association Youth League and Womens Youth League squads.

Our Mixed and Association squads were first to travel, competing in the Bathurst Cup on the first weekend of February. With ten squads making up the contingent, it was a busy weekend of football action, kicking off at 6.50am on the Saturday. Our Association Youth League teams were particularly prominent on this first day, with many competing well in matches against NPL opposition, demonstrating the strength of our development program.

Our MYL 14s through to 18s were all successful in progressing to the semi-finals of their respective age groups. Our 14s and 18s bowed out on penalties, but it was a successful tournament for the MYL 15s and 16s, who emerged as Bathurst Cup champions! This also marked back to back success for our 15s age group – congratulations to coaches Jack Urgun, Charlie Thorne, Kyle Devine and Nejat Haydar.

The following weekend featured our WYL 14s to 18s enjoying the sun at the Proctor Park Challenge. An enjoyable Day One saw all our teams secure a pathway through the group stages. On the Sunday, our WYL 15s and 16s navigated quarter finals successfully, but fell short in the semi-finals. The WYL 14s and 18s made it through to their Grand Finals, and both emerged victorious to ensure dual Cup success. Well done to coaches Ryan Fletcher, Zac Cerreto, Travis Cooper and Ash Isaac!

Two spectaular weekends of football are also acknowledged as crucial moments in developing our tribal DNA. One of the five key words we aim to develop in our people and players, tribal is defined as “people who are committed to their environments and the people within them”. Bathurst provides the unique opportunity for our squads and coaches to spend time together, getting to know each other and making memories that form the foundation of our club culture, but also, lasting friendships.

Technical Director Tim Palmer commended all the teams on their fantastic efforts over each weekend, acknowledging the crucial contribution of our managers and volunteers in supporting the logistics and camaraderie of the trips away. A particular thank you is noted to Gordon Hessell, Head of Athletic DNA, who travelled both weekends to provide high performance and sports trainer support to all our Youth League squads.

NWS Spirit FC celebrate the 2024 Jersey Presentation

North West Sydney Spirit FC kicked off the 2024 season in style in January, with the official presentation of their brand new match jerseys. With more than 700 from our community in attendance at Allianz Stadium, each player was individually presented with their jersey, before taking in the A-Leagues match between Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets.

The new jerseys, designed by GIOCA and featuring new front of shirt sponsor Vision Infrastructure, feature a sleek and modern look that incorporates the club’s traditional colors of yellow and black, with a subtle pattern integrated into the jersey.

“It was an incredible night for the club,” said NWS Spirit FC President, Frank Marchi. “To have so many from our club come out and support us, and to be able to unveil our new jerseys in front of them, was truly special. We also appreciated the support of our sponsors who joined us at Allianz Stadium. The atmosphere was special, and signifies the strength of our wider tribe.”

Spirit players were also involved in many of the match day activations, as part of our collaboration with Sydney FC. The whole club took part in a pre-match lap of the stadium, with our “Proudly local” marketing campaign featured concurrently on the big screens. Spirit FC’s SAP players also took part in the guard of honour and half-time heroes, forming special memories for our younger players.

Spirit has made significant strides in recent years, both on and off the pitch, and building off the success of the Jersey Presentation, are now looking to establish themselves as a major force in the Mens and Womens NSW NPL competitions.

New five-year contract for Spirit FC Mens First Grade head coach David Perkovic

NWS Spirit FC are proud to announce that David Perkovic has agreed to a new five year term at Spirit FC.

This is the beginning of the next chapter for our NPL1 club that will see David as Spirit FC Mens First Grade Head Coach and Senior Technical Director through to the end of 2028.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of continuing to lead this team into the future,” said Perkovic.

“I believe in the potential of this club and I look forward to working hard to achieve more success for our club.”

NWS Spirit confirm Tiana Gauci’s A-League appointment

NWS Spirit is proud to confirm that our Womens First Grade Head Coach, Tiana Gauci, has been appointed as the assistant coach at Perth Glory in their A-League Womens program.

Tiana joined Spirit FC in 2022 as our Womens Reserve Grade coach, before becoming First Grade head coach in 2023. This season, she has engineered a strong turnaround in performances and results, with the teams 3rd placed finish in the Premiership rounds its highest finish since 2016.

Tiana has also overseen the professionalisation of the Womens First Grade environment, working closely with our Head of Football to develop the NWSF DNA across the senior female football program.

‘It has been my pleasure to contribute to Spirit FC’s success and growth in female football,” said Tiana. “We have worked hard to create a focused, holistic approach to performance and development within the senior squad environment. It is also a credit to the players, and their commitment towards the club and teams performances in 2023”.

Tiana also thanked her support staff, including assistant coach Sam Osborne, Reserve Grade coach Michael Cunningham, Head of Womens High Performance, Shannon Codd, physio Rebecca Gonzalez, and team manager Bruce Macfayden.

“We have a close-knit coaching staff who have dedicated significant hours towards the Womens First Grade environment, and accordingly, have developed a culture that is second to none in the NPL Womens,” said Tiana. “Our success this season reflects the integrated approach Spirit takes to its football programs.”

Spirit FC prides itself on providing a pathway for its people to develop towards their highest level in football, and in life. Tiana’s progression to an A-League Womens environment embodies this ambition, and we wish her every success in the future.

Full coaching appointments for 2024 will be confirmed in due course.

Meet Spirit’s Head of Video Matt Barrett!

With the defining part of the NPL season slowly approaching, the importance of sticking together cannot be undermined, with coaches, players, fans and staff needing to come together to ensure a strong finish. In their first season at the peak of NPL football, Spirit have been applauded for their work with their local community and their ability to develop potential in all areas of the club to contribute to their success. In doing so, NWSF provides opportunities to young people to learn and grow in their chosen fields, whether it be playing, coaching or working in football, while having the chance to be a part of Spirit’s journey.

No example can be better than that of Spirit’s first grade men’s and women’s video analyst, Matthew Barrett. Currently studying at the University of Technology Sydney, Matthew’s journey from being an under 12’s division 1 player at West Pennant Hills, an NWSF local club, to being Spirit’s Head of Video at only 17 years old is testament to the different pathways that NWSF offers away from the football pitch. Matthew’s dedication to his work at Spirit gives him an advantage over many others his age, with his deep knowledge and expertise of the club’s DNA helping the club strive to new levels.

Labelled as someone who goes “above and beyond” to help coaches and players around the club, Matthew’s love for football and his self-described “on-field knowledge,” is a key factor in the quality of the work that he produces for Spirit.

Early on, coaches from Matthew’s playing days in the AYL noticed his distinct ability to read the game and adapt to scenarios quickly, something which he points out as a key area that helps him analyse games at Spirit. Although he was not retained as a player, Matt was identified as someone who could develop within the pathway in this alternative role, and has since cemented his place as a vital member of Spirit’s coaching staff. This is reflective of the club’s approach to developing great people who can succeed either as players, or as people who work in football. In Matt’s case, his role as an analyst not only helps him contribute to the success of the Spirit First Grade teams, but also, to wider projects such as nwsfdna.com and contributing to many of the coach education programs run by the association.

Additionally, Matt also supports the Pararoos, Australia’s national team for people with cerebral palsy, brain injury and stroke, as an analyst, demonstrating both the quality of his work and how the NWSF DNA can help great people succeed at all levels of the pathway.

To Matthew, Spirit’s connection to the community is what separates it from other clubs around New South Wales and is why he believes that Spirit will continue growing as a club over the next couple of years. It is this system that Spirit has developed with the community that has made Matthew form a profound relationship with the football club and the community as a whole, a connection that he believes will take him through his journey in football and beyond.

By Renesh Krishnan
Renesh Krishnan is an aspiring football journalist at NWSF who currently studies a Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie University. Playing for NWSF club, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Lions FC, since under 5’s, Renesh and his family have been a part of the NWSF community since 2009. With a passion for creative writing, public speaking, and all things football, Renesh looks to tell the unique stories and journeys of everyone at NWSF, helping bring the community closer together.

Connect with Renesh on Instagram / Twitter / email

Dimitri Tomaras enhancing Spirit FC youth performance

The success and advancement of any football club doesn’t come without its staff behind the scenes making that possible. From the youth coaches, the physios, and the video analysts, all the way up to the management staff and the players, each person involved in a football club are cogs which work hand-in-hand with one another to create the success that we see from the outside. With Spirit’s ongoing improvement in all age groups, it would be an understatement to say that the cogs that make Spirit turn have helped in this process.

Dimitri [Dimi] Tomaras, one of the many servants to Spirit’s success, carries a weight of experience, knowledge, and understanding that makes him unique to many others in similar positions. A love child of the iconic “Football Manager,” and the beautiful game itself, Dimi’s passion for football and everything about it makes him one of the most valuable assets in Spirit’s arsenal. In his role as Head of Performance, Dimi provides close mentoring and support to our youth teams, enabling the coaches to extend the NWSF DNA into bespoke styles of play that enhance individual and team performance. However, Dimi’s role within the club extends further. From working as the assistant coach of Spirit’s First Grade Women’s Team, to working with individual players in additional sessions such as early morning free-kick training, Dimi plays an essential part in the progression of Spirit and NWSF as a whole.

Like players, Spirit FC encourages coaches to develop their own personal style within the wider NWSF DNA framework. Personally, Dimi sets his teams up with high-attacking, and high-pressing tactics, with an emphasis on allowing players to be creative and inventive. While many other coaches in the youth system stick to a rigid and unyielding playing style, Dimi often looks to the flexibility and volatility of Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, with particular strengths in adjusting to opposition strategies and making tweaks to enhance his players key attributes. Despite being a keen supporter of Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, Dimi tends to stay away from the “old-fashioned” style of management which allows very little room for change in an in-game scenario basis. Using his experience of playing semi-professional football in the likes of Greece, Croatia, and the USA, Dimi’s knowledge of not only the managerial side of the game, but also the game from a players’ perspective assists him in dealing with players and staff alike.

Dimi’s modern approach to coaching is something that he hopes can carry him further into the game, with Dimi hoping to progress into a full-time management position later down the line. Yet, his job currently lies in helping develop and nurture the next generation of young footballers at Spirit FC, paving the way for a brighter future.

By Renesh Krishnan
Renesh Krishnan is an aspiring football journalist at NWSF who currently studies a Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie University. Playing for NWSF club, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Lions FC, since under 5’s, Renesh and his family have been a part of the NWSF community since 2009. With a passion for creative writing, public speaking, and all things football, Renesh looks to tell the unique stories and journeys of everyone at NWSF, helping bring the community closer together.

Connect with Renesh on Instagram / Twitter / email

Behind the scenes of Women’s First Grade with Tiana Gauci

With the rise of women’s football in Australia, the upcoming Women’s NPL season promises to bring new and exciting challenges to all the teams in the competition. With the addition of two new teams into the league, the importance of performance creates higher expectations, with this year’s competition looking to be one of the best yet. After a disappointing season last year, NWS Spirit FC’s First Grade Women’s coach, and Senior Women’s Technical Director, Tee Gauci, is hoping to continue the club’s rise.

In the off-season, Tee has been working hard to ensure that her team is ready for the challenges of the upcoming season, with herself and some of her players doing a tour of England. This wasn’t just a holiday, Tee and her girls took the opportunity to prepare for the season by working with some of the top coaches in England, as well as playing against the likes of the Manchester United, Birmingham and Manchester City women’s teams. With the intention of “moving forward with the women’s program”, Tee also spent the off-season recruiting players for her squad, with new signings Rola Badawiya, Ella Abdul Massih, and Mary Stanic-Floody being drafted into the squad. All three are currently participating in the A-League Womens season taking place, and return to Spirit for the commencement of the competition season. With the intention of “providing competition to the squad” and “energy in parts of the squad which are required,” Tee hopes that the new signings can be the spark that the team desperately needs, with each signing bringing in wealth of different experiences.

After joining Spirit in the middle of last season, Tee is confident that she can bring success to Christie Park, with this season being her first opportunity to have a full pre-season with the side. Tee believes that having such significant time on the ground at Christie Park can help instil the values and philosophies that she aims to move forward with, with Tee looking to build a project that brings in long term success. Ensuring success for this season, according to Tee, means ensuring that “Spirit’s club culture remains in the women’s program,” and creating an environment where the players enjoy their football. Tee concludes that having a strong and effective philosophy can ensure that her players work hard and maintain a good work ethic, which in-turn will bring success to our womens program.

By Renesh Krishnan
Renesh Krishnan is an aspiring football journalist at NWSF who currently studies a Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie University. Playing for NWSF club, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Lions FC, since under 5’s, Renesh and his family have been a part of the NWSF community since 2009. With a passion for creative writing, public speaking, and all things football, Renesh looks to tell the unique stories and journeys of everyone at NWSF, helping bring the community closer together.

Connect with Renesh on Instagram / Twitter / email

Spirit FC Mens First Grade launch inaugural NPL campaign

Newly promoted National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side NWS Spirit FC will be no pushover side as the 2022 Waratah Cup Champions prepare for an exciting year ahead led by inspirational coach David Perkovic.

Perkovic has managed to retain several of his stars that did ever so well in 2022 with the likes of Chris Marques, Musashi Kokubo, Kota Odakura, Louis Bozanic, Michael Konestabo, Mitchell Davidson and Richie Darko to name a few penning new deals.

There will be eight new faces at Christie Park also known as the ‘Arctic Circle’ by some of our familiar commentating crew with former APIA Leichhardt FC players Simon Nicholas and Matthew Cahill, ex-Northern Tigers star Ollie Wiggin, former Wollongong United ace Jacob Madden, former Hakoah player Luiz Lobo, Sydney FC Academy product Frederico Gagliano, ex-Sutherland Sharks youth player George Kriezis and former Australian Youth International Jared Lum all securing deals at the club.

The team has been busily preparing for the new season and along with a handful of friendly matches, recently took out the ANDROCK Cup against Northern NSW NPL outfit Weston Bears winning 4-0.

The Mens First Grade begin their season on Saturday 4th February at Christie Park, taking on Bulls FC Academy at 5.30pm.

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