The Yoogali Soccer Club has announced it will not be fielding a senior team in any competition in 2026 after being dumped by Capital Football. Photo: Yoogali Soccer Club.
After nearly 12 months of fighting to stay in the Canberra-based Capital Football’s National League, Yoogali Soccer Club has announced it won’t be playing at all in 2026.
The 2023 Capital Premier League winners were promoted to the National League, the highest senior league within Capital Football, where Yoogali SC proceeded to play two seasons at the top level.
However, following a report by Capital Football in 2025, it was announced that Yoogali SC’s and Wagga City Wanderers’ senior teams would be dropped from the Capital Football competition.
Capital Football said the clubs’ removal was due to the strain that other clubs faced travelling several hours to play Griffith and Wagga-based clubs, a statement that Yoogali Club officials at the time said was discriminatory.
The decision left the Riverina-based club out of the league and, now, officially without a league to play in for 2026.
“Following our removal from the Canberra National Premier League — a competition we earned promotion to through on-field performance — Yoogali Soccer Club currently finds itself facing a season of recess from senior football in 2026,” a Yoogali Soccer Club spokesperson said.
“After a well-documented and determined effort to retain our position, we were ultimately unsuccessful, despite the overwhelming support we received from across the football community.
“The reasons provided have varied — from our geographic location, to concerns around the strength of our playing standard, or a reluctance to disrupt existing league structures.”
Club president John Kennan confirmed Yoogali had looked elsewhere for a chance to play in 2026, but said all attempts were unsuccessful.
“Since the final decision to deny us NPL status, YSC has actively pursued entry into almost every viable senior competition within a 500 km radius. Unfortunately, all attempts have been unsuccessful,” he said.
“Most recently, we were advised that clubs within a potential competition voted unanimously (11–0) against our inclusion, despite the league already featuring three clubs from Griffith.
“Naturally, it is difficult to reconcile these outcomes when records show that we have almost always added strength and competitive value to all competitions we have competed in over the course of our 71-year history.
“We also have an impeccable disciplinary record, a strong financial history and have never forfeited a match.”
Mr Kennan said the club would spend 2026 trying to expand its junior program.
“We sincerely thank every player, coach or committee member who represented YSC during our six-year journey in Canberra,” Mr Keenan said.
“It takes a special group of people to embrace the challenge we undertook, and our achievements — earned against the odds — will become folklore within our club, our local community, and Canberra football circles alike.
“We remain confident that Yoogali Soccer Club will rise again — and resume the football journey we began in 1954.”
