Image: Australian Sporting Photos
Victoria is set for another record year with Football Federation Victoria opening registrations for the FFA Cup to regional and metropolitan clubs.
For the second consecutive year in the competition’s history, Victoria led FFA Cup team entry around the nation with 203 clubs, including nine from Victorian Regional Affiliate competitions.
While it is mandatory for all clubs competing in the NPL and NPL2 and State League 1 to 5 to enter (roughly 190 clubs), it’s not for the remainder.
With entries now open for 2017, FFV general manager of football operations Matthew Annells said Victoria has set the benchmark for both participation and results in the FFA Cup since in the three years of the competition’s existence, and teams were embracing the challenge of showing up clubs in higher divisions.
“Victoria has shown through three years of Westfield FFA Cup competition that it has a great appetite for FFA Cup, from the first qualifying round through to the final,” he said.
“With both Victorian Hyundai A-League teams lifting the trophy in the last two years, a PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria team twice making the semi-finals, big crowds at venues and big audiences online, Victoria’s passion for FFA Cup is unquestionable.
“In 2017 FFV wants to reach out to its regional stakeholders and engage the clubs, players and communities that contribute to our great game and let them know that we want them to be part of the ‘Magic of the Cup’.”
FFV general manager of commercial and media Anthony Grima said the competition’s exposure to the competition was becoming greater, hence the increasing popularity and widespread embrace of the FFA Cup by clubs throughout the state.
“FFV’s initiatives giving media exposure to the Victorian qualifying rounds of Westfield FFA Cup competition were a great success engaging the wider football community, and this will grow and continue with some exciting plans ahead for 2017.”
Registrations are open until February 6, 2017, with qualifying and round 1 draws set to be announced the next day – Tuesday February 7.
Entries available here.