Capital Football (CF) is actively working with clubs, participants and stakeholders to minimise the impact of Gungahlin United Football Club’s (GUFC) recent decision to commence winding up the Club.
The unprecedented events of the past week have had widespread impacts not only for those involved at GUFC but also across the broader local football landscape. We encourage the entire football community to remember that GUFC players, coaches and volunteers require support from the loss of their club.
Players who have had commitments made to them at other clubs should not be affected by this announcement, and their offers and opportunities for development should remain intact. Finally, if all clubs work together alongside CF, we can make the necessary adjustments to support all participants well before the start of the 2026 season in February.
Our immediate priority is to support displaced players, particularly juniors, by helping them find new clubs. In addition, CF is working to create as many playing opportunities as possible in the Gungahlin region for affected National Premier League players following GUFC’s announcement on 18 October.
To reduce disruption to NPL competitions, CF has implemented the following measures:
NPL Men:
- Increasing from 10 to 11 teams
- Invitations to join the competition have been extended to Canberra Juventus and White Eagles.
NPL Boys:
- Increasing from 10 to 12 teams
- Invitations have been extended to Monaro Panthers, Majura and West Canberra Wanderers.
NPL Girls:
- Remains 8 teams
- Bella Monaro has been invited to join the competition.
NPL Women:
- The competition will continue with the six existing teams. These are Belconnen United, Canberra Croatia, Canberra Olympic, Majura, Tuggeranong United and West Canberra Wanderers.
- An expression of interest will be released seeking a possible 7th team for 2027.
While CF has acted swiftly to provide continuity for NPL players, we remain committed to working with existing clubs and the Gungahlin community to find solutions for the 1,300 MiniRoos and Junior League players previously registered with GUFC.
We are grateful to the clubs that have already welcomed affected players. CF continues to encourage all NPL clubs to extend their trial periods to support those who have been displaced.
Capital Football will continue to provide updates and work collaboratively to ensure all players have the opportunity to remain engaged in the game. We are also working to ensure that football-based infrastructure in the Gungahlin region remains allocated to football.
Capital Football remains committed to supporting the football community through this transition and ensuring a strong, inclusive start to the 2026 season.
No further comment will be made at this time.
