Forbes District Soccer Club will host its An­nual Youth Gala Day on Sunday 29 June, welcoming 85 teams and more than 180 games across 11 fields, with matches kick­ing off from 7:30am.

A major highlight of the day will be the official opening of the new Youth Strength and Conditioning Gym at 12 midday. This state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind at a community soccer club in Australia, de­signed specifically for junior athletes with a focus on lower body development, core strength, and explosive leg work.

The gym has been two years in the mak­ing and made possible through funding from the NSW Government’s Football Legacy Infrastructure Grant, Forbes Shire Council, and Forbes District Soccer Club. It is part of a broader upgrade that includes a new can­teen, female-compliant referee room, and refurbished office and storage areas.

The gym will be officially opened by NSW Government Local Member Phil Do­nato, Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller, Former Matildas and Football Aus­tralia Coach Tom Sermanni, alongside the Forbes U13 Girls Champions of Champions Squad.

The Gala Day will bring together players and families from across regional NSW, with teams travelling from Leeton, Grif­fith, Hanwood, Young, Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn and more making this one of the largest junior soccer gatherings in the state, celebrating commu­nity sport, grassroots football, and regional investment in youth development.

Attending teams include: Leeton United, Griffith Academy, Hanwood FC, South West Slopes FA, Young Lions, Orange Dis­trict FA, Bathurst District FA, Dubbo District FA, Forbes District Soccer Club, Lachlan United, Western NSW FC Girls, Wagga City Wanderers, Wagga FA and Academy Southern Tablelands.

On the day there will be plenty of food outlets: Canteen, Barista Station, Larz Cof­fee, Dippin Dots, Dale Steak Van, Vietnam­ese Van, Gages mobile Ice Cream, Donuts, Potato Chips.

Congratulations the following teams on their 2023 finals success:

Open Juniors Final: Rovers defeated Stallions 4 – 2.

• Best & Fairest male: Jack Greenland 

• Best & Fairest female: Nicole Ellis 

• Player of match: Chelsea McMaster

U12 Final: Victory defeated Peak Hill Shooting Stars 5 – 2.

• Best & Fairest male: Shaquille Buchanon

• Best & Fairest female: Lilah Smith 

• Player of match: Lucas Hunter

Western Sydney Wanderers will take on Canberra United at Forbes’ Botanical Gardens on Saturday 23rd September, in a day set to be filled with soccer action and talent.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM welcomed the fixture to Forbes. “The popularity and strength of females in sport is growing dramatically at the moment, thanks to the amazing talents of teams like the Matildas who made Australian soccer history recently as the first female team to advance through to the semi finals,” Mayor Miller said.

“We have such a wealth of sporting talent in our region in our females as well as males and by bringing fixtures such as this pre-season game to places like Forbes only makes pathways appear more accessible and achievable for young fans.”

Forbes soccer player Josie McKenzie and Indiana Kennedy (Parkes) have both been selected in the U14s girls NSW Country squad competing in the Australian Championships in Wollongong next month. This squad will be training in Forbes on Saturday 23rd September, a great opportunity to see what it takes to become a national championship player.

Aspiring soccer players will have the opportunity to train with the Western Sydney Wanderers in a two-hour community clinic starting at 8.30am on Saturday.

Spectators will then see the FNSW Country Girls U14s and 16s National Championship squads train between 10am – 1pm, while from 10.45am matches will be played between Lachlan representative U10s, 12s and 14s squads and teams from Dubbo, Canberra and Griffith.

Warm up for the main game will begin at 2pm, with Mayor Miller officially welcoming visitors and kicking the ball signalling the start of the match at 3pm, with Member for Orange Phil Donato making the presentations at the game’s conclusion.

A pre-match training and media session will be held Friday afternoon at Botanical Gardens from 3pm – 5.30pm.

Forbes and District Soccer spokesman Doug McKenzie said that the game was originally set down to take place last year, however was postponed by the devastating floods of 2022.

Forbes as a destination came about after Head of Women’s Football with the Wanderers Tom Sermanni fell in love with the town and facilities whilst here for a coaching clinic programme earlier last year.

“The team is really looking forward to making the trip interstate to Forbes for the Challenge Cup having been forced to postpone the meeting heading into last season,” said Njegosh Popovich, Canberra United Head Coach.

Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite: Forbes Challenge Cup – Western Sydney Wanderers Women v Canberra Utd Women. Tickets are available from $6.61 for General Admission (children) and $11.90 for General Admission (adults), with a family pass of two adults and four children costing $27.78. Tickets purchased last year will be honoured, as will the free tickets also supplied last year to all Forbes school children.

For more information head to Forbes and District Soccer Association Facebook page.

Forbes Summer Indoor Futsal (5 a side) for U/5s to Opens. Same as winter registration, go online www.playfootball.com.au select Forbes, then select your desired playing age group, e.g. Forbes Futsal Under 5s. Youth can register in additional teams no extra cost. Face to Face registrations at Bernardis this Saturday morning 10am-12pm, and at the Liberty A League game Saturday 23rd September.

Starting Dates: Monday and Thursdays16 and 19 October to 27 and 30 November, then Christmas/New Year break toreturn 30th January ending 29th February, 2024.

Costs: 4-18 years $60, 19 and over $85Active Kids Vouchers applicable.

Age Groups: Under 5s, 7s, 9s, 12s,15s, Open Ladies (inc youth), Open Men(inc youth).

Game Location: Forbes High School.Registration Closing

Starting Date: Friday 6th October.

And that’s a wrap for non-competitive age groups for the 2023 season. If you would like to purchase one of the professional photos for $10, it isn’t too late, simply DM Rhiannon Guess Photography. The Committee would like to thank the players, parents, coaches, managers, supporters and canteen helpers for a fantastic season. See you all in 2024.

The Forbes Foxes have this weekend off, with their next game to be played in Forbes on 10th September. If you haven’t been to a game to support the Forbes Foxes yet, this is your chance to join in on the fun, it’s going to be an epic match as semi finals kick off.

The Summer Indoor Futsal registration portal is currently delayed due to Football NSW Legal processes but should be ready by the weekend. Indicative registration packages for the 12-14 week program are $75 for juniors 5-17 years and $100 for adults 18 and over. Active Kids Vouchers from 31 July 2023 can be used.