NWS Spirit FC

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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Bathurst Cup success for Spirit FC

Spirit FC returned to the annual Bathurst Cup for the first time in three years, marking the resumption of a club tradition that dates back to 2015 following a COVID-enforced absence.

For the first time ever, Spirit sent its Mixed Youth League squads alongside the Association Youth League teams, making it a record 10 squads travelling to represent our local area.

Congratulations to the MYL 14s and 16s for taking out their respective age group trophies!

Well done also to MYL 13s and 18s for making the Grand Finals. Head of Football Tim Thorne commended all attending squads on their hard work and enthusiasm for the tournament.

“The Bathurst Cup is crucial for our pre-season preparations in Youth League and we thank the Bathurst Football organisers for making it such a success once again.

Thank you also to our dedicated parents who make the weekend run so smoothly.

The team building, including our U13 to U18 team dinner, helps build our strong, loyal tribes and brings the programs together ahead of their preparation for the upcoming Football NSW seasons”

Kyle Shaw returns home as part of NWSF’s pathway

The developmental pathway for young football players in Australia has been a topic that has gained a significant amount of attention in the last couple of years. With the recent success of the Socceroos at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the unique pathway that each individual player has taken in their young footballing journey has been brought to light. The highs, the lows, the injuries, the rejections, the personal setbacks; these players had been through the whole 9-yards, all of which led them to wearing the green and gold in the most prestigious sporting tournament of them all. Developmental pathways such as the NWSF pathway help players reach their full potential, while also allowing them to learn and grow, enabling them to be good footballers on the pitch, and good people off it.

Since its formation in 1952, NWSF and Spirit FC have paved the way for young footballers of all ages to develop their footballing skills, with many players going on to become successful, both in and out of Australia. The ‘NWSF Pathway’ has allowed for talented young footballers in the North-West Sydney area to rise through the ranks in their respective footballing journey’s, starting from SAP in under 9’s, all the way till the Spirit First Grade NPL team. The NWSF pathway also aims to develop players for professional A-Leagues and national team events. This is enhanced by partnerships with Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, with players progressing from Spirit FC to these programs year in year out.

Spirit first grade defender, Kyle Shaw, is an example of a player who has progressed through the NWSF pathway. Similar to many players in the Australian system, Kyle’s football journey started at a young age playing for local clubs Holy Cross and North Ryde at a grass-roots level. Inspired by the gritty and tenacious playing style of Sergio Ramos, Kyle’s talent and flair was picked up by a scout, earning him a place at NWSF’s SAP scheme, a program which runs from under 9’s to under 12’s that provides the first step in the NWSF pathway. Offered for both boys and girls, the SAP program focuses on the development of game-related functional skills, while also engaging players to develop their technical skills in a fun, friendly and educational learning environment.

This exposure enabled Kyle to take the next step in his footballing journey, after being scouted by one of Australia’s biggest clubs, Sydney FC. A great environment that enabled Kyle to “experience the highs and lows of football,” his time at Sydney FC was one that assisted in his growth both as a football player, and as a person, with the club’s promotion of morals such as “the only way is forward,” helping Kyle to be his best self both on and off the pitch. Now older, more mature, and carrying an abundance of experience thanks to his time at Sydney FC, Kyle now finds himself back as part of Spirit’s first grade squad.

At only 18, Kyle remains ambitious about his future, with the young defender looking to make his name in Spirit’s first grade team this year, something that he has dreamed of ever since he joined the club as a young boy. To Kyle, and to most other players within the NSFW system, Spirit is not just a football club, but a family. From his early days at SAP, to his current time in the reserve grade squad, NSFW’s sense of community has been a feeling that has never withered, with it being a key factor in contributing to his return to Spirit.

While the possibilities are limitless for young players like Kyle, there is still a lot more work to be done to achieve greatness, and with Spirit’s recent promotion into NP1, these players present a bright and optimistic future for both Spirit, and Australian football as a whole.

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

Learn more about the NWSF DNA

North West Sydney Football is delighted to launch its new coach education and player development resource, nwsfdna.com.

The NWSF DNA is a framework developed by the association and representative programs to achieve our vision of fostering and growing the game of football in North West Sydney.

“The framework is focused on three key pillars – the high quality people across the association, working together to provide positive environments so we can play, enjoy and develop in the game.” said Tim Palmer, Coach and Player Development Manager.

Built by Spirit FC for the NWSF clubs, nwsfdna.com provides specific resources and information to bring together our people, the environment and the game.

​ In order to support coaches in their development of holistic people/players, coaches can access:

  • session plans,
  • season programs,
  • videos and additional resources

This ranges from our youngest participants in Miniroos to those in our more senior teams, as NWSF strives to support a connected local ecosystem working together towards a common goal.

This new resource is deliberately designed as an evolving project, with new content and resources to be added in the coming months to support clubs and coaches in bringing the DNA to life.

Want to learn more? The website is also designed as a complement to our coach education offerings to provide further information and resources to our dedicated coaches across all NWSF clubs. Head there now…