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MWFA Announces Its Newest Competition!

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Coming April 2026, MWFA’s newest lunchtime football league at Cromer Park! Are you and your friends/co-workers looking for a fun, social and competitive sport to play during your lunch break? A way to reset for the second half of the day? The MWFA are offering a term by term lunchtime football competition for local businesses in the Northern Beaches area.

To register your team – please fill in the below form:

MWFA Lunchtime League – Team Submission – Fill in form

The MWFA will then contact your team manager via email to pay the registration fee ($120 per player for each 10-week comp).

All players will need to be registered before taking the field.

 

What is the MWFA Lunchtime League?

  • A 6v6 mixed football competition available to local businesses and or Groups in the northern beaches area. Ideally, those in Brookvale, Dee Why, Cromer and Collaroy are best suited to this comp as they are close to Cromer Park.
  • Smaller goals, smaller fields and fewer players – aimed for quick and fun football, just like Summer Soccer. Cromer Field 1 will be split into 5 separate playing fields.

 

For more information – click here! 

MWFA Celebrates Willa Pearson’s A-League Milestone

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The Manly Warringah Football Association recently celebrated one of its brightest young talents, presenting Willa Pearson with a commemorative jersey to mark her remarkable start to life in top-flight football.

The special presentation recognised Willa’s historic achievement of becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the A-League Women, surpassing the previous record held by Matildas superstar Sam Kerr. The jersey, proudly bearing Willa’s Association playing number 6, was presented in honour of both her incredible milestone and her strong connection to the local football community.

Willa’s journey began at BTH Raiders, where she spent four seasons in the MWFA mixed competition from 2022 to 2025. During that time, she made an enormous impact on the field, co-captaining and helping guide the team to an incredible run of success – four Premierships, four Grand Finals, two State Cups and two Champion of Champions titles. Beyond her performances on the pitch, Willa also became a valued mentor, regularly assisting with junior teams and setting a fantastic example for younger players.

Willa first made headlines last year when she debuted for Sydney FC against Melbourne City, becoming the youngest ever player in A-League Women history. She also made her first international appearance the same year, playing for the Australia Women Under 17s team. Her latest accolade is yet another exciting milestone in a football journey that continues to gather momentum.

Her achievements are even more impressive when considering the demands she balances as a multi-sport athlete. Alongside football, Willa competes at State and National level in Cricket, AFL and Netball, with aspirations of one day becoming a dual international in football and cricket – following in the footsteps of her sporting inspiration, Elyse Perry.

While her footballing talent is clear for all to see, those who know Willa best say her character stands out even more – grounded, humble, and always ready to help others.

An exceptional footballer and an even better person, Willa Pearson continues to be a role model for the Northern Beaches football community, and the MWFA is incredibly proud to celebrate her achievements while wishing her every success in the years ahead.

 

MWFA Select Sides Shine in 2026 Series

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The MWFA Select Series delivered three high-quality fixtures showcasing the very best of our Association’s Premier League talent – and it was our Men’s squad who capped off the campaign in style, claiming both the Select Plate and Select Cup.

Men Take the Select Plate in Dramatic Fashion

The series opened with a thriller, as the MWFA Men went toe-to-toe in an incredibly tight contest that couldn’t be separated at full time. Locked at one goal apiece after 90 minutes, the match was decided in a penalty shootout.

Holding their composure when it mattered most, MWFA emerged victorious to lift the Select Plate.

Josh Thomas (St Augustine’s College FC) was named Player of the Match for his standout performance in a game that had quality and intensity from start to end.

Women Push NSFA All the Way

The MWFA Select Women also delivered a strong performance against the Northern Suburbs Football Association at Cromer Park, narrowly falling 2–1 in a competitive and entertaining encounter.

In a match that could easily have gone either way, our side showed resilience and attacking intent throughout. Somerset Littleboy (Manly Vale FC) was deservedly named MWFA Player of the Match for her performance throughout.

Men Seal the Series in Style

Travelling to Charles Bean Oval for their return clash with Northern Suburbs FA, MWFA produced a commanding 4–0 victory to wrap up the series emphatically and secure the Select Cup.

Darragh Reynor (Forest Killarney FC) and William Hodge (Mosman FC) gave MWFA a strong first-half platform, before Hodge completed his brace in the second half. Dean O’Donnell (Forest Killarney FC) added the fourth to cap off a clinical team display. A special mention goes to goalkeepers Joshua Dijkstra (Pittwater RSL FC) and Declan Annear (Narrabeen FC) for combining to keep a well-earned clean sheet.

Finally, a sincere thank you to the support staff – Ryan Gibbs and Ludo Ledieu (Curl Curl FC) who coached the Women’s team, and Luke Tinker (Mosman FC) and Mark Femia (MWFA Manager) who guided the men.

With silverware secured and strong performances across both teams, the future continues to look bright for football across the MWFA!

Images credit: Facet Photography

Coaching Courses Are A Sell Out

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In recent weeks, the MWFA has hosted two coaching courses, the Foundation of Football and the C-Diploma, and we’re proud to say that both courses were completely sold out!

It’s fantastic to see such a strong commitment to coach education and development within our football community – a big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making these courses such a success. We would also like to highlight the five female participants who committed to continuing their coaching journey. Increasing female representation in coaching is vital for the growth of our game, and their dedication, passion, and drive to prepare for the upcoming season are commendable.

A special mention goes to the Association’s Development and Emerging Talent players who took part in the C-Diploma course as ‘coachees’, providing the course delegates with a more comprehensive experience by having real players on whom to practise their coaching.

Do you want to book a coaching course? 

If you are new to coaching or already a coach and looking for a refresher course before the season starts in April, the MWFA is running two more Foundation of Football courses in March:

Mar 2/9: Monday evenings x2, 6-9.30pm

Mar 29: Sunday, 9am-5pm

For information and to book, visit our Coaching Courses page.

Two MWFA Individuals Recognised for Contribution to Manly United

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MUFC proudly recognised two MWFA stalwarts as new Life Members at half-time of their Men’s 1st Grade match on Friday 6 February, honouring two individuals whose dedication and service to Northern Beaches’ football stretches over four decades.

Linda Ward and David Wilson were presented with the prestigious Life Member award by Manly United Chairman, Ray Fanning.

Linda Ward

Linda’s contribution to football on the Northern Beaches spans more than 40 years, marked by exceptional leadership, advocacy, and governance. She joined the Manly Warringah Football Association Executive in the early 1990s and served as President from 1995 to 2005, the longest-serving President in the Association’s history.

During her tenure, Linda played a pivotal role in the 1998 reunification of the MWFA and the Manly Warringah Dolphins – a defining moment that led to the formation of Manly United Football Club. She was also a strong advocate for the redevelopment of Cromer Park, helping establish a true home for football in the region.

David Wilson

David has been a dedicated and influential figure in Northern Beaches football since 1977, contributing nearly five decades of service across all levels of the game. His involvement has spanned an extraordinary range of roles – as a player, coach, committee member and administrator – leaving a lasting impact on both the Manly United and MWFA communities.

David spent many years involved with local clubs before taking on significant coaching roles with the Manly Warringah Dolphins and later Manly United Football Club, where he guided and mentored players for more than a decade. Widely respected for his calm leadership and technical knowledge, he has long been a strong advocate for player development.

His contribution to football governance has been equally significant. Elected to the MWFA Disciplinary Committee in 2008, David later served in several senior governance roles before being appointed inaugural Chairman of the MWFA Board in 2020, guiding the organisation through a major period of structural change. That same year, he was appointed a Director of Manly United, a role he continues to fulfil today.

   

Both Linda and David leave a legacy that continues to influence the club and local football today. Their lifelong commitment exemplifies service, integrity and passion for the game, and the club proudly welcomes them both as Life Members of Manly United.

Congratulations to Linda and David in reaching this prestigious milestone – and a heartfelt thank you for all you continue to do for our game locally.

MWFA Nears 10,000 Registrations as the 2026 Season Builds Momentum

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The latest football registration numbers are in – and they’re worth shouting about!

As of early February, the MWFA has recorded close to 10,000 registrations on Play Football. It’s an incredible milestone that reflects the strength of our football community and the excitement building ahead of the winter season. 

Players, coaches, managers, referees and volunteers all play a vital role in football – and everyone involved must be registered before taking to the field. In other words, “No rego, no game”! 

With registrations already rolling in at pace, clubs across the Association are well underway with planning for the season ahead. From pre-season gala days and grading sessions to allocating teams, coaches and volunteers, there’s a huge amount of work happening behind the scenes before Round 1 kicks off on the weekend of April 10-12. That’s why registering early makes such a difference. It helps clubs plan more effectively, rally their volunteers, and ensure teams are ready to go when the season begins. 

If you’re already associated with a club, you can register now via Play Football and secure your place for the upcoming season.

If you’re new to the game, there’s never been a better time to get involved. MWFA is home to 16 incredible grassroots clubs, offering opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. You can find a local club and take the first step into football today. 

 April will come around quickly – so if you haven’t already, why not tick that box and get your rego done today!

2026 Winter Competition Registration is Open!

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It’s a new year, and that means it’s time for all our football community to get excited about the incoming season!

On January 2nd, Football NSW opened registrations for the 2026 winter competition for all players.

Registration is through the Play Football application for a second year.  Returning players are encouraged to contact their local club for details about how and when to register, and to learn about any key pre-season dates – such as community events, gala days and grading sessions.

Round 1 is scheduled for the weekend of April 10th. Put it in your diaries now!

For any new players who want to play football this winter and don’t know where to start, head to our Clubs page, find your closest club and follow the link to their website for information on how to sign up.

The MWFA wishes all clubs a successful and competitive season. It’s everyone’s game – let’s make the most of it!

 

2026 Manly United FC Foundations Squad Expression of Interest

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Expression of Interest’s (EOI) for the 2026 Manly United FC Foundation Squad U6 – U8 are now available!

Please submit your EOI form to secure your place in the 2026 Foundation Squad. You must complete this EOI to be eligible for the program, click below!

Manly United Foundation Squad 2026 – Fill in form

*IMPORTANT* – This form closes midnight, Monday 12th January 2026. If you have not submitted the above EOI by the closing date, you will not be able to participate in the Program. 

For more information, please click here – U6-U8 Foundation Squad 

*Please note: You can only participate in the program if you are registered with one (1) of the sixteen (16) Clubs in the Manly Warringah Football Association. 

2026 Manly United FC Goalkeeper Development Squad Expression of Interest

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Expressions of Interest’s (EOI) for the 2026 Manly United FC Goalkeeper Development Squad U10 – U16 are now available! 

Please submit your EOI form to secure your place in the 2026 MUFC Goalkeeper Dev Squad. You must complete this EOI to be eligible for the program, click below:

Manly United Goalkeeper Development Squad 2026  – Fill in form

*IMPORTANT* – This form closes midnight, Monday 12th January 2026. If you have not submitted the above EOI by the closing date, you will not be able to participate in the Program. 

For more information on the program, please click here – Goalkeeper Development Squad

*Please note: You can only participate in the program if you are registered with one (1) of the sixteen (16) Clubs in the Manly Warringah Football Association.