A determined group of former Gungahlin United members is refusing to let the beautiful game die in Canberra's north, unveiling a bold, long-term strategy to establish a new community-run football club from the ashes of the collapsed giant.
A Phoenix Rising from Financial Ruin
The plan emerges just one week after Gungahlin United, one of the region's largest clubs, was officially wound up, crippled by a staggering debt of nearly $700,000. The collapse left approximately 1800 players, from four-year-olds to over-35s, without a team and shattered a once close-knit soccer community.
Spokesperson Jess, a former United volunteer, said the group's vision is clear. "We believe that Gungahlin deserves its own community-run club, built and managed by its members," she stated. "We want a club that reflects the values of grassroots football, which is inclusivity, affordability, and community spirit."
The strategy involves a two-phase approach. The immediate first step is to align with an existing club to help the displaced community rebuild. The "long-term goal" is to eventually birth a new, standalone Gungahlin soccer entity within the next few years.
The Battle for Gungahlin's Football Future
A pivotal decision expected from Capital Football on Wednesday will shape the immediate path forward. The governing body is deciding which club will be granted access to fill the void in the Gungahlin region, with a heated contest for critical infrastructure like the Harrison Playing Fields.
Two primary candidates have emerged:
- Canberra Olympic: A club with a strong focus on elite National Premier League pathways.
- Belnorth: A community-focused club based in Belconnen.
The ex-United volunteer group is throwing its support firmly behind Belnorth. Jess explained the decision, citing scepticism about Olympic's community commitment. "A large amount of people don't think that Olympic is the right club to care for the community," she said, referencing Olympic's quick move to form a 'North Canberra Olympic' team. "It rubbed people the wrong way."
"They're already a community-focused club, which makes them the best partner to assist us in this transitional period," Jess added, highlighting the need to keep displaced teams together.
Rebuilding Trust and a Long-Term Dream
The group plans to operate as a sub-committee under the Belnorth banner initially, using the time to recruit volunteers, gather resources, and rebuild the operational capacity needed for independence. They acknowledge the monumental task ahead, not just logistically, but in restoring faith.
"Our volunteers were not the reason for the Gungahlin United collapse. It was mismanagement by a small group of people," Jess emphasised, distancing the new effort from the previous administration's financial failures. "We want to ensure that we can build that trust. I am aware the challenge is going to be there."
The timeline for a new standalone club remains fluid. "It could be two years away, it could be five years, or it could be longer," Jess admitted. "The goal is to get it established as quickly as possible, but there's a lot of hoops we need to jump through, and mountains to climb."
As the liquidation of Gungahlin United's assets—including goal posts and a food van—gets underway, the future of football in Gungahlin hinges on this week's decision and the sustained effort of a volunteer group clinging to hope. Their message to the bereft football community is one of resilience: "Hold onto hope that there are a group of volunteers who are committed to a long-term vision of establishing a club that we can call our own again."
