Champions! WA win first National Paras title after penalty shoot-out victory

A new chapter has been written at the National Para Football Championships, with Football West crowned champions and a 17-year wait for a new winner finally brought to an end.

Across four days and 12 matches at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne, the 2025 Championships delivered high-quality football, emerging talent and finals drama culminating in a Gold Medal match that lived up to the occasion.

For the first time since 2008, the trophy will head west, as Football West claimed their maiden title and capped a landmark week for Para football in Australia.

FOOTBALL WEST CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER DRAMATIC PENALTY SHOOTOUT

Football West have been crowned National Para Football Champions for the first time in their history, defeating Football Victoria in a gripping Gold Medal match decided by penalties at the Home of the Matildas.

The Championship Final delivered a contest worthy of the occasion. Football Victoria controlled large stretches of possession in the first half, probing patiently as they searched for a way through Football West’s disciplined defensive structure. At the other end, Football West remained a constant threat on the counterattack, creating danger without finding the breakthrough.

With CommBank Pararoos goalkeeper Christian Tsangas anchoring Victoria’s defence and CommBank ParaMatildas goalkeeper Katelyn Smith standing firm for Football West, the quality between the posts was evident. Both keepers produced key interventions, ensuring the match remained scoreless at half-time and through the second period.

As intensity rose and chances continued to be repelled, the full-time whistle sounded with the scores locked at 0–0, sending the Championship Final to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Smith delivered the defining moment, producing a crucial save before Rodrigues Niyongere calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal a 3–2 victory on penalties.

Captain and CommBank Pararoo Alessandro La Verghetta said the triumph was built on years of perseverance.

“There’s no way to describe it,” he said. “I’ve been here for nine years and we’ve had heartbreak on multiple occasions. The boys dug deep, everyone played their part, and that’s what makes it so special.”

“Since 2008, New South Wales winning became the norm. But coming into this tournament, we believed and that’s all our coach David Williams wanted. To do it with our families here from WA and the support back home, I’m lost for words.”

There was further cause for WA celebration with goalkeeper Smith named Championship Final MVP, while Iain Carmichael was named FT1 Player of the Tournament and Conor Bunce FT2 Player of the Tournament.

NSW FINISH STRONG TO CLAIM BRONZE ON FINAL DAY

Football NSW closed their National Para Football Championships 2025 campaign on a high, securing the Bronze Medal with a commanding 6–0 win over Football Queensland in the first final of the day at the Home of the Matildas.

After missing the Championship Final for the first time since 2008, NSW entered the Bronze Medal match determined to ensure they did not leave Melbourne empty-handed. They delivered exactly that, producing a dominant attacking display from the opening whistle.

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS 

Goalkeeper of the Tournament
Christian Tsangas (Football Victoria)

Golden Boot
Augustine Murphy (Football NSW)

Female Player of the Tournament
Carly Salmon (Northern NSW Football/Capital Football)

Young Player of the Tournament
Riley Lyncolne (Football NSW/Football Tasmania)

FT1 Player of the Tournament
Iain Carmichael (Football West)

FT2 Player of the Tournament
Conor Bunce (Football West)

FT3 Player of the Tournament
Jeremy Boyce (Football Victoria)

George Tonna Award (Championship Final MVP)
Katelyn Smith (Football West)

• The WA Para Football State Team program is managed by Football West’s charity partner, Football Futures Foundation. To learn more, please contact Football Futures Foundation HERE.
• The National Para Football Championships are for players living with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, symptoms of stroke or similar neuromuscular conditions.