The popularity of football in the Great Southern was on show again with the 2026 Belt Up Regional Festival of Football. This was the ninth annual week-long festival and one of the best yet, with great support for all the activations in and around Albany.
Approximately 2,000 people attended the free events, including up to 1,250 spectators who watched New Balance NPL WA double-header at Retravision Stadium throughout the day.
Great Southern Community Participation Officer Ches Leonard said: “The event was very well received locally, with universal positive feedback provided from the Great Southern football community. We appreciate the effort from everyone from the region who got involved, including the clubs and their volunteers.
“With four NPL squads and their coaching staffs and committees in town, the festival provided a boost to local cafes, bars and restaurants. It was also a nice touch from Bayswater City officials to go along and give their support to their sister club Albany Bayswater.
“I also want to give a special acknowledgement for the support provided by the Great Southern Soccer Association and the Albany Junior Soccer Association in making the event a success for the region."
Football West would like to recognise the Insurance Commission of Western Australia as the naming rights partner of the Regional Festival of Football through its Belt Up campaign. We also thank the WA Government for its ongoing support for the event.
Details
Schools Clinics
Football West visited five schools during the Belt Up Regional Festival of Football – Albany Primary School, St Joseph’s, Little Grove Primary, Australian Christian College and Parklands School.
The clinics were run by Great Southern CPO Ches Leonard, Program Development Lead and former Socceroo David Williams and Female Football & Advocacy Manager and former Perth Glory player Sarah Carroll. More than 300 primary school children took part in the clinics.
Club Development & Safeguarding Workshop
The two-hour workshop at Albany Pavilion was hosted by Football West Club Development Lead Mo Syafiq and Integrity and Governance Manager Jamie English.
Referee Workshop
As part of the Regional Festival of Football, FW Referee Manager Dave Avison delivered a Junior Match Official course in March.
Coach Education Workshop
Almost 40 coaches and players took part in the session which was held at Albany Pavilion over two hours and run by FW Coach Development Officer Cris Ola.
Player Development Academy Session
David Williams took the session at Albany Pavilion with over 20 young players from local clubs.
Regional Girls Day Out
Sarah Carroll hosted the three-hour carnival at Retravision Stadium, which attracted over 50 female players aged 6-16. Thanks to the Glory coaches and Hyundai Football West Academy players who participated.
Women in Football Breakfast
Sarah Carroll hosted the two-hour networking breakfast at Retravision Stadium, with 30 female players, coaches and administrators attending. Thanks to our panelists, including Sarah, Referee Operations Coordinator Jamie Oberman, Female Football Week Coach of the Year Cassandra Paxman from Albany Rovers FC, and 2025 Senior Country Week Player of the Tournament Shelley Thompson.
New Balance NPL WA Open Training Session
Perth Glory, Bayswater City, Hyundai Football West Academy and Perth Azzurri treated fans to a free training session at Retravision Stadium.
New Balance NPL WA Double-Header
A brilliant day at Retravision Stadium which kicked off with a couple of local junior fixtures.
The main matches saw Perth Azzurri defeat Hyundai FW Academy 1-0 in the Women’s game thanks to a goal by Ruby Marhsall, followed by Perth Glory’s 1-0 win over Bayswater City in the Men’s fixture. Louis Sollitt was the matchwinner.
