Gungahlin United folds, 2,000 Canberra soccer players left without a club

Read the Capital Football and Gungahlin United statement in full below.

Gungahlin United has been forced to fold, leaving more than 2000 players without a club.

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In a stunning announcement on Saturday afternoon, the club blamed "significant debt" and alleged "mismanagement" by a former president and the executive committee for Gungahlin United losing its National Premier League licence, which contributed greatly to its demise.

"After careful consideration, the interim executive determined that GUFC's only viable future was contingent upon retaining an NPL licence," the club said in a statement.

"This would have allowed flexibility for revenue generation and repayment of outstanding debts.

"Without such a licence, it is not feasible or reasonable for the community arm of the club to bear a debt burden exceeding $200,000 while continuing normal operations.

"Accordingly, the executive committee has resolved to commence the winding up of Gungahlin United Football Club Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT).

"Once this process commences, the club will cease to operate as a registered association."

Gungahlin United won the NPL men's first grade grand final in 2019. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong

As one of the biggest clubs in Canberra - and one that services the fastest-growing region in the capital - the news has rocked the soccer community, meaning 2,000 players are now without a team.

Capital Football is scrambling to find a solution, working with other Canberra clubs so those Gungahlin United players aren't lost to the game.

NPL trials are currently underway across clubs in the region, but many squads may already be locked in.

Gungahlin United said it hoped that by providing clarity on the situation, there would be "adequate time and opportunity" for players to trial with other clubs.

"Capital Football is deeply saddened by the announcement from Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC) regarding its decision to wind up operations," the peak soccer body in the ACT said in a statement.

"This decision has significant implications for thousands of players, families and volunteers across the ACT football community, particularly at a time when National Premier League (NPL) and Pathways trials are taking place throughout Canberra.

"Capital Football regrets that financial mismanagement has led to a situation in which a club believes it can no longer continue operations.

"The immediate priority for Capital Football is to ensure that all players affiliated with GUFC, particularly the participants in community competitions, are provided with opportunities to continue playing football within the ACT region."

Gungahlin United are one of the biggest clubs in Canberra. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong

How club debt led to its collapse

Gungahlin United's financial struggles have been well-documented, with The Canberra Times revealing earlier this month that it owed over $180,000 in unpaid sportsground hire fees amid complaints of NPL squad members allegedly not being paid.

This weekend, the club officially confirmed that it owed money to a "number of other creditors" as well.

The Canberra Times has repeatedly contacted Capital Football for a response on what the implications would be for Gungahlin United's financial struggles, but no comment was given to provide greater detail until Saturday.

It was last year that Capital Football first issued a breach notice to Gungahlin United to repay debts owed to the sporting body and ACT government. But having not complied, Capital Football said on September 10 this year it threatened to remove Gungahlin United's NPL licence with a final breach notice.

That led to the former Gungahlin United president and committee standing down from their roles, as the club believed they had "exercised poor financial oversight" and "failed to implement adequate governance controls".

"The club had significantly overspent within the NPL men's program and operated without the necessary checks and balances to ensure financial and operational accountability," the Gungahlin United statement read.

"This mismanagement directly contributed to the club's deteriorating financial position and its inability to meet key obligations."

Following the change of leadership, the interim executives met with Capital Football and ACT government officials as well as Sport Minister Yvette Berry to outline a plan pledging "genuine commitment to accountability, reform, and long-term financial sustainability".

The club responded to Capital Football's breach notice with its plan, and the soccer body said it sought further detail on October 15 following the "board's concerns that GUFC appeared unable to maintain operations within an NPL structure".

Capital Football said Gungahlin United declined to provide revised financial forecasts that excluded NPL teams.

Meanwhile, Gungahlin United continued to plan for next year's NPL and Pathways programs, as it was of the understanding "licensing constraints" would only apply to senior NPL women's and men's programs as confirmed in Capital Football's declaration of leagues for 2026, published online.

The club accused Capital Football of later "changing its position" for no NPL licence to be issued at any level.

The soccer body sought to clarify this point.

"The financial management of clubs, including all costs associated with NPL and NPLW programs, remains the responsibility of each individual organisation," Capital Football said.

"NPL licence applications are assessed collectively across men's, women's, boys and girls programs, and are currently being finalised by an independent committee. Final outcomes are expected to be confirmed shortly."

How are NPL competitions impacted now?

On October 1, Capital Football confirmed the NPL teams for 2026, with some clubs omitted from the elite competition as per recommendations from a controversial NPL review released in May.

Gungahlin United were set to compete in every NPL division across men's, women's, boys' and girls' competitions next year.

It is unclear if Capital Football will add any teams to NPL divisions in place of Gungahlin United since the club's collapse, or if it will just run competitions with one less team.

As part of the NPL review, Griffith-based Yoogali Soccer Club was kicked out of the NPL Men competition for 2026, and Belconnen United, Canberra Olympic and the Brindabella Blues were promoted. It means one more team could be promoted for next season.

In the NPL Women competition, Gungahlin United's exit could now see it become a six-team league unless a Capital League club meets the criteria to be promoted.

In NPL Boys, Monaro Panthers, West Canberra Wanderers, Majura SC and Radford College were all relegated after the review earlier this year. One club could potentially be kept in the competition now that Gungahlin United are out.

Similarly, the recently relegated BellaMonaro may be allowed to remain in the NPL next season instead of dropping down to the Junior League.

The latest Gungahlin United controversy comes after the club discovered that in 2017 and 2018, its former president, Aaron David Alexander, was guilty of stealing more than $23,546 from the non-profit organisation. Financial hardship followed the club after the controversy.

Still, as one of the bigger clubs in Canberra, Gungahlin United was aiming high as it attempted to overcome those financial strains, vying for a spot in the newly-launched national second-tier, the Australian Championship.

Canberra Croatia was the only ACT club to seal a place in the competition after being crowned Capital Football NPLM league champions.

Gungahlin United Statement

Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC) acknowledges that, as has been publicly raised, the Club holds a significant debt with ACT Sportsgrounds and a number of other creditors.

Earlier this month, GUFC received a Final Notice from Capital Football, requiring the Club to comply with the conditions outlined in that correspondence by 10 October 2025 or risk not being issued with an NPL Licence for the 2026 season.

Upon receiving this notice, it became evident that the former President had exercised poor financial oversight and that the Executive Committee under his leadership failed to implement adequate governance controls. The Club had significantly overspent within the NPL Men's program and operated without the necessary checks and balances to ensure financial and operational accountability. This mismanagement directly contributed to the Club's deteriorating financial position and its inability to meet key obligations.

As a result, both the President and the Executive Committee were requested to stand down, allowing an Interim Executive to be appointed to stabilise operations and restore confidence in the Club's governance.

Following its appointment, the Interim Executive developed and presented a comprehensive recovery plan to Capital Football and the ACT Government, including engagement with Minister Yvette Berry. The plan outlined GUFC's genuine commitment to accountability, reform, and long-term financial sustainability. It proposed improved financial management, reduced expenditure, and strengthened governance controls. The plan also introduced regular financial reporting, stricter budget oversight, and recommended that appropriate sanctions be applied to acknowledge past mismanagement while protecting the broader Club and its community and junior programs. This approach offered a realistic and transparent pathway for GUFC to continue within the NPL structure while meeting its obligations responsibly.

As per the declaration of leagues, GUFC was initially advised that licensing constraints would apply only to the NPL Men's and NPL Women's programs. Based on this advice, the Club proceeded with its 2026 planning and issued pre-offers to players across both the NPL and Pathways programs. However, Capital Football later changed its position and determined that no NPL licences would be issued to the Club.

After careful consideration, the Interim Executive determined that GUFC's only viable future was contingent upon retaining an NPL licence. This would have allowed flexibility for revenue generation and repayment of outstanding debts. Without such a licence, it is not feasible or reasonable for the community arm of the Club to bear a debt burden exceeding $200,000 while continuing normal operations.

Accordingly, the Executive Committee has resolved to commence the winding up of Gungahlin United Football Club Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT). Once this process commences, the Club will cease to operate as a registered association. With NPL and Pathways trials currently taking place across Canberra, this decision has been made now rather than delayed to provide clarity and fairness to players, coaches, and families within GUFC's performance programs. This ensures that all affected players have adequate time and opportunity to trial with other clubs and secure their football future for the 2026 season.

The Executive understands the significant impact of this outcome on players, parents, and volunteers who have contributed immensely to the Club's success and community presence over many years. However, it was determined that proceeding responsibly and transparently at this stage was the only appropriate course of action given the financial position and the decision by Capital Football not to issue an NPL licence.

It is deeply saddening that the actions and mismanagement of a few individuals have now resulted in the displacement of over 2,000 players plus the coaches, volunteers, and families. The Interim Executive exhausted all available options to preserve the Club's operations but was left with little or no alternative.

GUFC calls for restraint from those individuals, clubs, and anonymous social media pages that continue to spread negativity and division within the football community. The continued circulation of misinformation, speculation, and targeted commentary towards volunteers and players is not only unhelpful but shameful. Such behaviour undermines the values of respect and community that football is built upon. Those who have chosen to use this situation to attack others or score points within the football landscape should reflect on the damage they cause to the game and to the people who dedicate their time to it. This conduct does not promote the growth or integrity of football in the ACT; it weakens it. At a time when more than 2,000 players are facing uncertainty, this behaviour is disgraceful and unbecoming of anyone who claims to support football.

This is not about the NPL Men's program alone. It is about the loss faced by more than 2,000 players who may now be without a club or program next season. GUFC urges the broader football community to show respect, empathy, and understanding towards these players, their families, and the many volunteers who have dedicated years to building this club and its legacy.

Capital Football is deeply saddened by the announcement from Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC) regarding its decision to wind up operations under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT).

This decision has significant implications for thousands of players, families and volunteers across the ACT football community, particularly at a time when National Premier League (NPL) and Pathways trials are taking place throughout Canberra.

In 2024, Capital Football issued GUFC an NPL licence with conditions requiring the repayment of outstanding debts owed to both Capital Football and the ACT Government. Despite repeated engagement and opportunities to meet these obligations, GUFC did not comply with the agreed conditions.

On 10th September, Capital Football issued a final breach notice to the club.

In accordance with Capital Football regulations, GUFC was provided a 30-day notice period to respond to the breach notice. After reviewing the club's submission, Capital Football assessed its ability to comply with the Club Affiliation Policy, including its financial sustainability and capacity to meet debts when due.

On 15th October, Capital Football issued further correspondence outlining the Board's concerns that GUFC appeared unable to maintain operations within an NPL structure.

Recognising the strength of GUFC's community football base, Capital Football invited the club to submit revised financial forecasts that excluded NPL teams, in the hope that its approximately 2,000 community league participants could provide a solid foundation for future recovery and long-term stability.

The club declined the opportunity to submit these financial documents. While Capital Football continues to work collaboratively with all affiliated clubs to optimise participation and ensure the ongoing growth of football in the ACT, the financial management of clubs, including all costs associated with NPL and NPLW programs, remains the responsibility of each individual organisation.

NPL licence applications are assessed collectively across men's, women's, boy's and girl's programs, and are currently being finalised by an independent committee. Final outcomes are expected to be confirmed shortly.

Capital Football regrets that financial mismanagement has led to a situation in which a club believes it can no longer continue operations.

The immediate priority for Capital Football is to ensure that all players affiliated with GUFC, particularly the participants in community competitions, are provided with opportunities to continue playing football within the ACT region.

Capital Football encourages the broader football community to show respect and support for GUFC players, families and volunteers during this challenging time.

The organisation remains committed to working in good faith with all clubs to strengthen football at every level and to uphold the principles of sustainability, inclusion and participation across the ACT.No further comment will be made on this matter.

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