Yoogali SC – the 2023 Capital Premier League champions – has been advised that its exemption has been unsuccessful and it will not be competing in Capital Football competitions in 2026. Photo: Supplied.
Yoogali Soccer Club has been dumped from the National Premier League Men’s Competition by Capital Football, the body that runs the ACT football competitions.
It follows an internal review by Capital Football earlier this year, which determined that its senior league would benefit from no longer hosting the 2023 Capital Premier League champions
Following the announcement, Yoogali filed for an exemption to the review’s recommendation to continue playing under Capital Football in 2026.
Yoogali currently plays in the highest league that Capital Football offers, the National Premier League ACT, after winning the second grade Capital League competition in 2023.
In a letter to the club, Capital Football stated that Yoogali’s alleged inability to support a junior program and pathways led to the decision.
Yoogali SC posted an email from Capital Football explaining their decision. Photo: Yoogali SC.
With the club’s future uncertain, Yoogali SC has taken to social media to blast Capital Football’s decision, posting several memes and screenshots.
“How can we possibly meet the criteria at junior level if YSC have never been offered a junior licence or had proper consultation to set a plan that works?” one of the posts reads.
“If our lack of juniors is based on YOUR unwillingness to provide us with the pathway, that seems like a great case for an exemption, surely.
“If you won’t offer us juniors, wouldn’t the next best option be to align with another club that only has juniors? Two clubs have reached out to us about aligning.
“They still said no. How can we adequately address your concerns regarding excessive travel for junior teams WHEN WE DON’T HAVE JUNIORS?
“There is a problem for every solution here. This outcome was predetermined from the beginning and is nothing more than the regional club getting booted to make room for ones from Canberra. And we all know which CPL clubs in Canberra are crying the loudest.”
Following the post, Capital Football president Angelo Konstantinou advised Yoogali that it had broken the organisation’s social media policy and that its posts should be removed.
Yoogali SC instead posted a screenshot of the text message, sent at 9:50 pm, and continued to criticise the decision, stating Capital Football’s social media policy does not exist.
“SUCCESS after 3 months of torture, we have finally been contacted directly by a member of the CF board,” the post said mockingly.
“But sorry Angelo, you don’t even have a constitution – let alone a Social media policy. THE POST STAYS.”
Yoogali posted a meme depicting Canberra Olympic and Capital Football as the couple caught in an affair at a Coldplay concert earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.
Yoogali head coach Luke Santolin criticised the lack of communication between the club and Capital Football, going as far as to label the exemption process “farcical”.
“We’re dealing with cowards. All of this was done in the shadows, no procedural process, no consultation,” he said.
“Every person we speak to can see the injustice unfold in front of their eyes, and yet no one is holding them accountable, which should make all clubs very scared.
“The only correspondence we’ve had of any serious nature is one to inform us of the fact that they were kicking this out. The second one was when they made up a farcical exemption process where they pretty much asked us to take a shot in the dark and to propose why we should be allowed to stay in.
“The third time was to say that we didn’t meet the criteria for an exemption. They never gave us one.”
The text message was sent to Yoogali SC. Photo: Yoogali SC.
A statement by Capital Football said it “understands” Yoogali SC’s disappointment and will work with Football NSW to find a resolution.
“Capital Football has completed its assessment of Yoogali Soccer Club’s request to review its exclusion from the 2026 NPL Men’s competition,” the statement reads.
“While the club expressed a desire to explore alternative structures, the submission did not sufficiently address the criteria on which the original decision was based.
“It lacked a clear rationale for overturning the decision and did not demonstrate the ability to meet junior pathway requirements. The proposed alternative model remains conceptual, without the formal structure or necessary assurances around governance, viability, and player development.
“Capital Football understands Yoogali SC’s disappointment with this outcome and has reached out to Football NSW to explore what support and opportunities may be available for the region.
“Capital Football is committed to maintaining high standards within the NPL and ensuring all clubs contribute meaningfully to a strong, sustainable elite pathway for the Canberra region.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
