This page explains how to nominate for selection in the 12 years and under boys and girls football (soccer) state teams to compete at the School Sport Australia championships in 2026.

Who can nominate to be selected

To nominate for selection, students must be:

• enrolled at an affiliated school.
• born in 2014, 2015, 2016.

Where and when

Newcastle, NSW from Sunday 25 to Friday 30 October 2026.

Travel dates may vary due to flight availability.

Team officials

• Boys coach - Dion Kirk, Roma Mitchell Secondary College
• Boys team manager - Ben Cockerill, Trinity College
• Girls coach - Shaun Clifton, Parafield Gardens High School
• Girls team manager - Sue Dimitriou, Modbury West School

The team will be under the supervision of the team officials to meet supervision ratios.

How to nominate for trials

A non-refundable trial fee of $10 inc GST per student is to be paid when nominating online.

Boys

Complete the online nomination form by 4:00pm Wednesday 1 July 2026.

Girls

Nominations have closed.

You will receive a confirmation email once your nomination has been processed. Your school will also be sent a copy as confirmation of your nomination. Your school has the right to not approve a child’s involvement based on behaviour, attendance and other grounds as determined by the school.

Trial details

Boys

Report/Sign in times begin 30 minutes prior to the trial starting time.

Trial 1
Monday 6 July 2026,
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
9:00am - 11:00am

Trial 2 - Invite Only
Monday 13 July 2026,
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
9:00am - 11:00am

Trial 3 - Invite Only
Tuesday 14 July 2026,
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
9:00am - 10:30am

Girls

Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in. 2:45pm for 3:00pm trials and 8:45am for 9:00am trials.

Trial 1
Saturday 21 March 2026
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
3pm - 5pm

Trial 2
Saturday 11 April 2026
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
3pm - 5pm

Trial 3
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
9am - 11am

Trial 4 - Invite Only
Monday 20 April
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
9am - 11am

Trial 5 - Invite Only
Saturday 2 May
Football SA Stadium (Matilda Drive)
3pm - 5pm

Trials are run in a safe and supportive learning environment to select the state team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships.

• Students are to wear an appropriate school sports top, footwear any sport specific equipment.
• Parents/caregivers are responsible for organising transport to and from the trials.
• If unforeseen circumstances mean the trials are unable to go ahead, families and schools will be notified as soon as possible. Trials will either be rescheduled if time permits, or an alternative option will be organised.

Team List

Girls

• Poppy Britton, Trinity Gardens Primary School
• Dorothy Carpenter, Woodcroft College Inc
• Rosa Cruz, Gleeson College
• Asha Fisher, Adelaide Botanic High School
• Aurora Hayman, Immanuel College
• Ruby Le, St Dominics Priory College
• Luciella Rodgers, Emmaus Christian College
• Ava Spiby, Adelaide Botanic High School
• Scarlett Taylor, St Francis of Assisi School
• Alice Temme, Scotch College
• Lucinda Williamson, Mount Barker Waldorf School
• Anna Yang, Henley High School

Selection criteria

Students will be involved in drills and competitive scenarios to select the team based on

• Ability and game sense in the sport
• Willingness to listen and learn from feedback
• Teamwork
• Level of skill and sport knowledge
• Fitness level and effort
• Positive attitude at trials and school
• Demonstration of being a good sport and behaviour on and off the playing arena

Parental permission must be obtained to be selected to attend the championship.

School endorsement

Selection in a School Sport SA state team requires endorsement from the student’s school principal before confirming their place in the team. Therefore, parents are advised not to make any arrangements that incur costs until the school has confirmed that the student fulfils all requirements.

Training and championship expectations

All selected team members will be required to attend all team trainings and a team photo shoot.

Country team members travelling more than 2 hours can negotiate their commitment.

The selected student agrees to attend the competition for the full duration including the opening and closing ceremonies and the educational experience.

Accommodation, flights, and daily transport

Parents/caregivers who can accompany their child must book and manage accommodation, flights and daily transport for the entire championship.

Should this not be possible then the family will need to negotiate with School Sport SA to arrange appropriate flights, accommodation, meals and daily transport for their child which will be an additional cost. Negotiations must begin within 1 week of the team being announced.

Championship costs

An individual itemised account will be provided for every student selected in a School Sport SA state team.

The anticipated cost to School Sport SA is approximately $700 which includes levies to participate at the championship and any training costs. Walkout and competition uniforms will be approximately $450 depending on the number of items ordered. This will be a separate online ordering process where payment is made directly to the supplier.

Accommodation, flights, meals, daily transport and personal spending money will be an additional cost for families and will not appear on the invoice from School Sport SA.

Fixtures and results

See School Sport Australia Football (Soccer) for fixtures and results as they are available.