The dawn of a new era of Australian Football is almost upon us. The Australian Championship marks a landmark moment for the global game Down Under and a step towards a true footballing pyramid.
- READ MORE: Inaugural Australian Championship squads announced
- READ MORE: How to Watch: Round 1 of the inaugural Australian Championship
In order to take that step forward into the future, the Australian Championship also looks to the past, towards historic and traditional football clubs rooted deep in Australian football and the communities they represent.
The inaugural Australian Championship is made up of 16 teams, eight based on historical importance and service to the game and another eight based on sporting merit. A truly national competition with teams set for a new generation of football fans to get behind them.
To get you ready for Round 1, here is a quickfire guide to all 16 teams ahead of the opening game on Friday 10 October.
Avondale FC
The NPL Victoria Premiers and Hahn Australia Cup semi-finalists are set once again to take a new league. Securing five promotions within six seasons to go from the Victorian State Leagues to NPL Victoria. The Avengers are once again climbing the football pyramid, beginning their Australian Championship journey at home against the ACT Premiers, Canberra Croatia.
Founded: 1984
Home Ground: Avenger Park
Head Coach: Jonathan Germano
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL VIC Standing: 1st
Bayswater City SC
Bayswater City SC had a fantastic first year under new head coach Matt Sparrow, completing the NPL WA double for the first time since 2017. Undefeated in the league for 18 rounds and only suffering two defeats, Bayse will make the trip out east to Edensor Park to open their Group D account against Sydney Unitd 58.
Founded: 1961
Home Ground: Frank Drago Reserve
Head Coach: Matt Sparrow
How they qualified for Aus Champs: WA Premier
NPL WA Standing: 1st
Broadmeadow Magic FC
The Premiers and Champions of NPL Northern NSW will commence their journey at home against Moreton City Excelsior. Undefeated at home all season, and with their last loss more than 120 days ago, Magic will be looking to cause a stir in Group A.
Founded: 1966
Home Ground: Magic Park
Head Coach: Jim Cresnar
How they qualified for Aus Champs: NNSW Premiers
NPL NNSW Standing: 1st
Canberra Croatia FC
Canberra Croatia will be the first Men's team to represent the ACT in a national footballing league in over 20 years. 18-time champions of ACT and current Premiers and Federation Cup winners, these serial winners from the nation's capital will travel to Avenger Park on the opening weekend to take on Avondale FC.
Founded: 1958
Home Ground: Deakin Stadium
Head Coach: Dean Ugrinic
How they qualified for Aus Champs: ACT Premiers
NPL ACT Standing: 1st
Heidelberg United FC
Last weekend's Hahn Australia Cup finalist, Heidelberg United, have been fighting on four different fronts in what has been a long and historic season for the Bergers. 2nd in NPL Victoria, Dockerty Cup finalist and NPL Victoria Champions, Heidelberg will be hoping to go far once again in their fifth competition of an already 40-plus game season. Heidelberg will kick off at home this weekend against Marconi Stallions.
Founded: 1958
Home Ground: Olympic Park
Head Coach: John Anastasiadis
How they qualified for Aus Champs: VIC Premiers slot as runners-up
NPL VIC Standing: 2nd
Marconi Stallions FC
Four-time NSL Champions, Marconi, will be tough opponents when they make their return to the national spotlight. Unable to bring any silverware back to the palace so far this season, with a third-place finish in the league and a semi-final exit in the NPL NSW, the Stallions will look to rectify that by pushing to be the inaugural winners of the Australian Championship. They’ll be away to Heidelberg United this Sunday to start their season.
Founded: 1958
Home Ground: Marconi Stadium
Head Coach: Peter Tsekenis
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL NSW Standing: 3rd
MetroStars SC
MetroStars won the NPL SA by an impressive 13 points this season. The back-to-back-to-back Premiers of South Australia and regulars in the National Stages of the Hahn Australia Cup, with a Round of 16 appearance this year, MetroStars will be at home on the opening weekend of the Australian Championship against Wests APIA FC.
Founded: 1994
Home Ground: T.K. Shutter Reserve
Head Coach: Danny Graystone
How they qualified for Aus Champs: SA Premiers
NPL SA Standing: 1st
Moreton City Excelsior FC
Moreton City Excelsior FC were formed only two years ago in 2023, when Albany Creek Excelsior FC and Moreton Bay United FC merged into one. The young club have already secured their first major piece of silverware though, winning the NPL QLD Premiership back in August. Excelsior will face off against fellow Premiers in Braodmeadow Magic this Sunday to start their campaign.
Founded: 2023
Formally Albany Creek Excelsior FC (1963) & Moreton Bay United FC (2012)
Home Ground: Perry Park
Head Coach: Cameron Millar
How they qualified for Aus Champs: QLD Premiers
NPL QLD Standing: 1st
NWS Spirit FC
NWS Spirit shocked everyone in New South Wales by completing an unbelievable turnaround from mid-table last year to winning their first NPL NSW premiership and qualifying for the inaugural Australian Championship. With only one loss in their last 12 games to win the premiership, Spirit will face a tough task travelling to Preston Lions in their opening group stage game.
Founded: 2005
Home Ground: Christie Park
Head Coach: Luca Falcone
How they qualified for Aus Champs: NSW Premiers
NPL NSW Standing: 1st
Preston Lions FC
The ambition of Preston Lions has always been set high. Making their return to NPL Victoria for the first time in 16 years and losing out in the semi-finals to the eventual Champions, Heidelberg. The Lions will be front and centre in the opening weekend of the Australian Championship when they host NSW Premiers NWS Spirit in a blockbuster match-up at Genis Steel Stadium.
Founded: 1947
Home Ground: Genis Steel Stadium
Head Coach: Louie Acevski
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL VIC Standing: 5th
South Hobart FC
Founded in 1910, Tasmania's South Hobart will bring over 115 years of experience to the Australian Championship. South Hobart will be representing ‘The Apple Isle’ for the first time in a national football league. The Tasmanian Premiers and State Cup Champions will welcome the Wollongong Wolves to D’arcy Street on the opening weekend.
Founded: 1910
Home Ground: D’arcy Street (South Hobart Oval)
Head Coach: Max Clarke
How they qualified for Aus Champs: TAS Premiers
NPL TAS Standing: 1st
South Melbourne FC
7,864 days since South Melbourne last played in a national competition, Friday night will see the side make a return to the stage they feel they belong on. The four-time NSL Champions won the Dockerty Cup for the second year in a row, but a challenging NPL Victoria season will be the wrong that Hellas hope to set right in the Australian Championship. Hosting the opening game at Lakeside Stadium will be an occasion that will hopefully be a highlight in their long history.
Founded: 1959
Home Ground: Lakeside Stadium
Head Coach: Sinisa Cohadzic
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL VIC Standing: 9th
Sydney Olympic FC
Also kicking off the Australian Championship this Friday night in Melbourne are the two-time Australian champions, Sydney Olympic. Narrowly missing the NPL NSW finals after a 7th-place finish, Olympic will be raring to go in this new era of Australian Football, hoping to recreate some magic from 2002 when they won it all on the national stage.
Founded: 1957
Home Ground: Jubilee Stadium
Head Coach: Labinot Haliti
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL NSW Standing: 7th
Sydney United 58 FC
A club that has always been at the forefront of footballing milestones. The first NPL side to reach a Hahn Australia Cup final three years ago, and a foundation club of the Australian Championship. Sydney United 58 qualified for the NPL NSW finals, though couldn’t reach the heights of years gone by. They’ll look to reset and win their first national championship starting this weekend at home against Bayswater City.
Founded: 1958
Home Ground: Sydney United Sports Centre
Head Coach: Ante Juric
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL NSW Standing: 6th
Wests APIA FC
Wests APIA FC will embark on a new era in their already storied history, taking on a new identity entering the Australian Championship. Coming off last month's 2-1 win in the NPL NSW Grand Final, the former Champions of Australia will be full of confidence and ambition when they make the trip to South Australia to face that state's Premiers in MetroStars.
Founded: 1954
Home Ground: Leichhardt Oval
Head Coach: Franco Parisi
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL NSW Standing: 2nd
Wollongong Wolves FC
Back-to-back NSL Champions from 1999/2000-2000/2001, the Wollongong Wolves are on the hunt for national glory once again. Coming off a disappointing NPL NSW season, the Wolves have brought in international and A-League experience to bolster their squad. Their first challenge is in unfamiliar territory, heading off the mainland and down to Tasmania to face South Hobart.
Founded: 1980
Home Ground: Collegians Sports Centre
Head Coach: Luke Wilkshire
How they qualified for Aus Champs: Foundation Club
NPL NSW Standing: 8th