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2026 OPERATIONAL PLAN

STRATEGIC PROPERTIES

Northern NSW Football exists to inspire and unite everyone in northern NSW to reach their potential in football. Our vision is to empower everyone in northern NSW to be part of a thriving football community.

ENJOYABLE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL

Offer the best experience across all levels of football for everyone involved to grow the game.

• Establish a football environment that encourages and drives female participation

• Develop and deliver relevant football products that meet market demand

• Minimise barriers to participation to ensure an accessible and inclusive football ecosystem

• Cultivate a respectful and positive football experience

• Support clubs and enhance facilities to increase capacity of the game

Facilitate every participant to reach their full potential through accessible participation and robust identification and development programs.

• Provide clear and comprehensive talent pathways for all participants

• Promote development and provide support for non-playing roles (coaches, match officials, volunteers and administrators)

• Enhance the identification and development of elite talent

• Ensure a tailored approach to talent identification and development in regional areas

CHAMPIONS IN EXCELLENCE

Set the benchmark for excellence in sports through effective governance, beneficial partnerships and sustainable practices.

• Collectively align on and understand the roles and responsibilities across the NNSWF ecosystem

• Lead football advocacy on behalf of the NNSWF community

• Improve financial and environmental sustainability across the football ecosystem

• Position football as an industry of choice to attract and retain the best talent

Be the sport of choice through the display and promotion of high-quality football from grassroots to elite.

• Elevate the status and visibility of NNSWF competitions and tournaments across all levels

• Leverage the stories of the game to promote and grow football

• Create an environment that enables the transition of participants to fans and fans to participants

2026 STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES

ENJOYABLE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

OFFER THE BEST EXPERIENCE ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED TO GROW THE GAME

Establish a football environment that encourages and drives female participation

Develop and deliver relevant football products that meet market demand

Minimise barriers to participation to ensure an accessible and inclusive football ecosystem

Cultivate a respectful and positive football experience

Achieve 32,000 recognised female participants and strengthen the female football ecosystem

Maintain 38,000 participants in modified and social football formats

1. Deliver an expanded suite of female-focused competitions and programs

2. Collaborate with local councils and schools to increase femalefriendly facilities and participation through targeted programs

3. Host a series of Northern NSW Women & Girls Festivals of Football in alignment with the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to celebrate and inspire participation

1. Expand delivery of Football Fives, modified football and school-based programs across all member zones

2. Pilot new flexible-format competitions in regional areas to increase access for players

3. Implement annual participation insights research to track retention, motivation and satisfaction trends

4. Partner with Football Australia to enhance the Sporting Schools and MiniRoos program delivery

Grow total participation to more than 98,000 players across northern NSW

1. Develop a First Nations Reconciliation Action Plan

2. Achieve bronze Pride in Sport index status

3. Review participation costs with a focus on reducing financial barriers for participants

4. Deliver a series of club and school gala days to improve access to football across the region

5. Increase the number of affiliated futsal centers across northern NSW

6. Support clubs to achieve one or two-star Club Changer status

Achieve a 65 per cent match official retention rate and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all participants

Support clubs and enhance facilities to increase capacity of the game

Secure $3.2 million in government, industry or private investment to enhance facility development or football capacity across northern NSW

1. Expand the Zero Tolerance campaign across all NNSWF competitions and interested member zones

2. Deliver state-wide Child Safe and Induction training for clubs, coaches and referees

3. Enhance the state-wide referee coaching framework to provide support to member zone referee staff and better access to training for referees

4. Launch a consistent disciplinary framework that integrates member zones to enhance consistency, integrity and fairness

1. Deliver updated 2026 NNSWF Facility Audit and associated infrastructure priority lists

2. Refine the Northern NSW Facilities Fund to support highpriority community projects

3. Establish regular strategic facilities forums for major sports and councils to discuss the region’s sporting facility priorities collectively

4. Develop and publish recommended standards for female facilities (playing fields and changing rooms)

5. Continue to lobby and apply pressure to NSW government to increase investment in football

TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL

STRATEGIC PROPERTIES

FACILITATE EVERY PARTICIPANT IN REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH ACCESSIBLE PARTICIPATION AND ROBUST IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Provide clear and comprehensive talent pathways for all participants

Promote development and provide support for non-playing roles

Enhance the identification and development of elite talent

Engage at least 1,500 players through NNSWF’s Talented Player Pathway programs

Engage 900 coaches and referees in formal education and professional development programs

Have 20 players from NNSWF programs selected for national team camps or international competition

Ensure a tailored approach to talent identification and development in regional areas

Maintain 700+ regional players actively engaged in Regional Talent Programs

1. Host Regional Talent Hub Showcase events in partnership with member zones

2. Expand international development opportunities through the Nihon University Football Club partnership

3. Align all pathway programs with Football Australia’s National Curriculum and Talent ID framework

4. Implement endorsed recommendations from the Talented Player Ecosystem review

1. Deliver two B-Licence and five CLicence courses

2. Enhance the annual Northern NSW Coach & Referee Conferences

3. Provide opportunities for coaches and referees to experience international and interstate tournaments and events

4. Provide online learning opportunities for administrators and volunteers to strengthen club capability

5. Explore potential incentives to attract and retain volunteers

1. Complete the NNSWF Talented Player Ecosystem review to ensure the most efficient and effective pathway for talented players

2. Expand the NNSWF x Nihon University Football Club exchange program and Japan tour opportunities

3. Host the annual NNSWF HighPerformance Camp for the most talented TSP and PYL players

4. Establish data-driven tracking for player progress across talent pathway programs

1. Provide interstate competitive opportunities specifically for regional representative teams

2. Develop shared resourcing between member zones for regional technical staff

3. Host a series of regional talent ID gala days integrating with Hunter region to benchmark players

4. Deliver a Junior TSP program specifically in regional member zones to assist with identification and tracking of future talent

CHAMPIONS IN EXCELLENCE

STRATEGIC PROPERTIES

SET THE BENCHMARK FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS THROUGH EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE, BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Collectively align on and understand the roles and responsibilities across the NNSWF ecosystem

Lead football advocacy on behalf of the northern NSW football community

Improve financial and environmental sustainability across the football ecosystem

Position football as an industry of choice to attract and retain the best talent

Achieve a quarterly member zone satisfaction rating of three stars or better

Secure $1.25 million in external funding to build capacity or assist delivery of football across northern NSW

Maintain a positive Actual v Budget YTD variance percentage

1. Collaborate with member zones and standing committees to develop the 2027-2029 Strategic Plan

2. Develop a board skills matrix tool that can be shared with member zones

3. Deliver or facilitate relevant training for member zone staff and directors

4. Coordinate a statewide approach to enhancing cyber security and cyber literacy across member zones and clubs

5. Conduct a review of the NNSWF constitution and support interested member zones to do the same

1. Deliver coordinated regional submissions for sport infrastructure funding

2. Strengthen key commercial partnerships and secure a minimum of two new major sponsors

3. Establish a centralised grant writing service for member zones and clubs

4. Establish a NNSWF Friends of Football Group to enhance advocacy and build relationships with local MPs

1. Replace at least one pool vehicle with an additional EV or PHEV

2. Identify and implement additional shared services to improve cost effectiveness for member zones and enhance delivery of local services

3. Establish an AI Policy to guide the integration of AI technology within the organisation

4. Explore opportunities to integrate technology to achieve cost savings or efficiencies

5. Review NNSWFs commercial/ sponsorship structure and resourcing to enhance delivery and financial yield

Maintain 85 per cent annual staff retention rate and improve staff satisfaction metrics

1. Deliver annual performance reviews and development plans for all staff

2. Implement performance-based salary incentives that reward high performers

3. Host bi-annual staff connection and innovation sessions

4. Partner with universities to create internship, entry-level pathways and future leader programs

5. Establish personalised professional development plans for staff aligned to the annual staff performance and planning structure

SHOWCASE OUR GAME

BE THE SPORT OF CHOICE THROUGH THE DISPLAY AND PROMOTION OF HIGH-QUALITY FOOTBALL FROM GRASSROOTS TO ELITE

STRATEGIC PROPERTIES

Elevate the status and visibility of NNSWF competitions and tournaments across all levels

Leverage the stories of the game to promote and grow football

Create an environment that enables the transition of participants to fans and fans to participants

Achieve 1.2 million cumulative views on NNSWF Premier Competition broadcast streams during 2026

Generate 1.2 million views on the NNSWF website and increase followers of all NNSWF social channels by five per cent

1. Enhance NNSWF YouTube match coverage and social content packages

2. Assist member zones to launch enhanced branding for Zone Premier Competitions

3. Transform NPL grand finals into major community events

4. Develop a unified calendar for marquee tournaments and events

5. Develop and implement a strategy to increase followers, viewership and subscribers to NNSWF channels

1. Produce the FacesofFootballmultimedia storytelling campaign

2. Relaunch the Newcastle Permanent Local Champions Awards program

3. Collaborate with Newcastle Jets and Football Australia for cross-promotion and joint campaigns

4. Highlight player, club and referee stories across traditional and digital media

5. Establish a social campaign that highlights clubs’ off-field stories (NNSWF’s best rivalries, canteens, history)

Increase registered participants identifying as fans of the Newcastle Jets to 70 per cent

1. Develop a dedicated Northern NSW Football Family Membership Program integrated with Jets ticketing and benefits

2. Launch the FromPlayertoFanengagement campaign via social and digital channels

3. Host community-driven fan events aligned with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and NPL seasons

2026 GOALS

NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL EXISTS TO INSPIRE AND UNITE EVERYONE IN NORTHERN NSW TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL IN FOOTBALL.

OUR VISION IS TO EMPOWER EVERYONE IN NORTHERN NSW TO BE PART OF A THRIVING FOOTBALL COMMUNITY.

ENJOYABLE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

Offer the best experience across all levels of football for everyone involved to grow the game

BY THE END OF 2026

WE WILL HAVE:

• Achieved 32,000 recognised female participants and strengthen the female football ecosystem

• Maintained 38,000 participants in modified and social football formats

• Grown total participation to more than 98,000 players across northern NSW

• Achieved a 65 per cent match official retention rate and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all participants

• Secured $3.2 million in government, industry or private investment to enhance facility development or football capacity across northern NSW

TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL

Facilitate every participant to reach their full potential through accessible participation and robust identification and development programs

BY THE END OF 2026

WE WILL HAVE:

• Engaged at least 1,500 players through NNSWF’s Talented Player Pathway programs

• Engaged 900 coaches and referees in formal education and professional development programs

• Had 20 players from NNSWF programs selected for national team camps or international competition

• Maintained 700+ regional players actively engaged in Regional Talent Programs

CHAMPIONS IN EXCELLENCE

Set the benchmark for excellence in sports through effective governance, beneficial partnerships and sustainable practices

BY THE END OF 2026

WE WILL HAVE:

• Achieved a quarterly member zone satisfaction rating of three stars or better

• Secured $1.25 million in external funding to build capacity or assist delivery of football across northern NSW

• Maintained a positive Actual v Budget YTD variance percentage

• Maintained an 85 per cent annual staff retention rate and improved staff satisfaction metrics

SHOWCASE OUR GAME

Be the sport of choice through the display and promotion of high-quality football from grassroots to elite

BY THE END OF 2026

WE WILL HAVE:

• Achieved 1.2 million cumulative views on NNSWF Premier Competition broadcast streams during 2026

• Generated 1.2 million views on the NNSWF website and increased followers of all NNSWF social channels by five per cent

• Increase registered participants identifying as fans of the Newcastle Jets to 70 per cent