Yoogali Soccer Club has put its hand up to rejoin Capital Football’s National Premier League, after Gungahlin United was forced to fold this month. Photo: Yoogali SC.
Yoogali Soccer Club says it is willing to return to the Canberra competition after a major team was forced to fold.
Capital Football decided to remove both Riverina clubs (Yoogali SC and Wagga City Wanderers) from its senior competitions earlier this year.
Despite a lengthy appeal period, both teams were unsuccessful in having the decision reversed. Major criticism was aimed at the ruling to remove Yoogali from the National Premier League (NPL: its top division). It was one of the eight teams to make up the league.
Following the review, it was decided that in 2026, 10 teams would make up the NPL. However, plans for the 10-team league have been thrown into chaos with Gunghalin United Football Club (GUFC) folding with debts of more than $500,000.
“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,” a Capital Football statement reads.
“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.”
The removal of GUFC means the NPL will now be running an 11-team competition, with Canberra Juventus and White Eagles being invited to the NPL.
The 11-team set-up has caused some headaches, as one club every week will be forced to have a bye.
The resulting byes have led to a dumped team, Yoogali, leading a push to be reinstated in the NPL and instead form a 12-team competition and remove the need for byes entirely.
“With everything that’s occurred this season, it would now make perfect sense to add a 12th team to the competition in 2026,” a statement on Yoogali’s social media reads.
“While we do not expect it to be us, we also question why it couldn’t be?
“Before all of this, we were an upstanding member of the competition. A success story that rose through the divisions and maintained its spot in the NPL twice.
“Never forfeited and obtained their club licensing with flying colours.”
Yoogali has come under scrutiny this year for its use of social media in criticising CF’s decision to remove the club from its competitions, causing the organisation to call out the behaviour.
“Capital Football can confirm that Yoogali Soccer Club is the subject of a formal investigation following multiple breaches of key policies, including but not limited to the Social Media Policy, Dispute and Disciplinary Regulations, and the Club Affiliation Policy,” reads a Capital Football statement published in July.
“These breaches relate to a series of posts published on the club’s official Facebook page since 25 July.
“The content, tone, and frequency of these social media posts have escalated significantly, now including personal attacks directed at Capital Football officials, staff, and volunteers, as well as inflammatory comments targeting other clubs.
“These statements are not only abusive but also question the integrity and impartiality of those involved in the administration and participation of the game. This type of conduct is wholly unacceptable and falls well below the standards of behaviour expected in our football community.”
Yoogali admitted that previously, emotions had run high, but all it had ever wanted to do was compete.
“Yes, there was a lot of emotion spilled this year while we fought passionately for our survival,” a statement reads.
“But now that so much has changed — and with so many 2nd division teams going up — wouldn’t a ready-made NPL team be a good fit for the competition?
“To raise the standard, complete the 22-round season and remove the bye round?
“We are ready to compete. That’s all we’ve ever wanted to do.”
