In a significant boost for community football across Northern NSW, the region's governing body has announced it will freeze registration fees for the entire 2026 season. This strategic decision comes as welcome relief for clubs, players, and families facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Football Northern NSW CEO Peter Haynes confirmed the organisation would absorb rising operational costs rather than passing them on to participants. "We recognise the financial challenges many families in our football community are facing," Haynes stated. "By freezing our fees, we're ensuring football remains accessible and affordable for everyone in our region."
Strategic Financial Management Enables Fee Freeze
The fee freeze has been made possible through careful financial planning and the organisation's commitment to supporting grassroots football. Despite increasing costs across the board, Football Northern NSW has found ways to maintain its current fee structure without compromising on service quality.
Key benefits of the fee freeze include:
- Maintaining affordable participation for all age groups
- Supporting club sustainability during economic challenges
- Ensuring football remains the sport of choice for families
- Providing financial certainty for clubs planning their 2026 budgets
Building on Previous Success
This isn't the first time Football Northern NSW has taken proactive steps to support its community. The organisation has consistently worked to balance financial responsibility with participant affordability, recognising that football plays a crucial role in community health and social connection.
The 2026 fee freeze demonstrates the organisation's long-term commitment to growing the game across the Hunter, Central Coast, and Northern NSW regions. With thousands of participants across various competitions, this decision will have widespread positive impact.
As one club president commented, "This is exactly the kind of leadership our sport needs. It shows Football Northern NSW truly understands the challenges at grassroots level and is willing to back our community."
