While the 2016 FFA Cup finished just two days ago with Melbourne City lifting its maiden trophy, Football Federation Victoria is now inviting entries for next year’s Cup.
While it is mandatory for clubs in National Premier Leagues and State Leagues (MSL1-MSL5) to compete, FFV is extending an invitation for regional and metropolitan league clubs to compete as it looks to drive participation across Victoria.
The competition boasted 704 participants from around the country in its third year, including 203 Victorian clubs – the most of any other federation.
Victoria has been a dominant force in the three years of the competition thus far, as both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City have claimed the title while NPL Victoria sides Bentleigh Greens and Hume City have reached the semi-final stage.
“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,” FFV General Manager of Football Operations Matthew Annells said.
Of those 203 clubs however, only nine were from regional areas and were not competing in NPL or State Leagues.
Though participation has gradually risen from the first 631 teams that took part in the Cup’s inaugural year FFV is eager to extend its engagement in regional areas as football in the country continues to grow.
“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 Commercial and Media General Manager Anthony Grima added that adding exposure to the competition’s preliminary rounds will continue to grow following its success this year.
“”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,” Grima said.
The draw for the first round of the 2017 FFA Cup is Tuesday February 7, all clubs wishing to particpate will need to register before 9am February 6.