They say that comparison is the thief of joy and in most cases, they are right but what if we compare the amount of teams from ESFA in the Champion of Champions to the amount of teams from other Associations? That may indeed bring some joy in our Centenary Year!
Manly Warringah have 16 Clubs and 6 teams in the Champion of Champions Finals. However, when you delve deeper into this, Manly Warringah FA have over 17000 players.
Sutherland Shire have 26 Clubs and 5 teams in the Champion of Champions finals. However, that deep dive shows that Sutherland have over 17000 players.
Northern Suburbs Football Association boasts 29 Clubs with over 17000 Players with 5 teams in the Champion of Champions Finals.
Then we have ESFA. A small Association in comparison and yet, 5 teams from 5 different Clubs in the Champion of Champions. This comparison actually gives us JOY and we are going with the per capita theory for sure!
Let’s break this down even further with some historic facts about the 5 teams representing their Clubs and ESFA this Sunday at Valentines Sports Park:
Maroubra United 14 Girls (Bluebirds) v Kirrawee Kangaroos FC (SSFA) 9:45am Field 1
This is the FIRST time a Maroubra United team has reached the CofC final and we take great pride in the fact it is a girls team leading the way for the Club and ESFA. The Bluebirds were both Premiers and Champions in 2025 and are super keen to add a third trophy to the cabinet. With their opposition Kirrawee Kangaroos wanting to prevent this, we believe Maroubra can soar in this competition! Green and gold all the way this Sunday.
Maccabi Hakoah Juniors 18 Men v Prospect United SC (BDSFA) 9:30am Field 2
Maccabi Hakoah Juniors last won a CofC Final in the U15 boys league back in 2002. For 23 years the Club has attempted to make the finals again and this season they have their U18 Men going for glory. This team is a young team but don’t let that fool you. They have every chance of taking home the silverware over Prospect United and
Dunbar Rovers O35 Men v Apia Leichhardt Tigers JFC (Football Canterbury) 3:15pm Field 2
What a year Dunbar Rovers have had with this team. They won the League and they won the Football NSW State Cup! Will they be the first team from ESFA to ever win two Football NSW competitions in one season? With their opposition being a repeat of last year’s Champion of Champions Semi Final, Dunbar are out to prove they never should have been beaten. Dunbar Rovers last won the O35s CofC Final in 2018. We believe this could just be that year for reclaiming the title!
Coogee United AAW v Lindfield FC (NSFA) 4:00pm Field 1
Coogee United find themselves in back-to-back Finals. Last year they were victorious over Gymea and we believe coming off a Premiership as well as being crowned Champions, that the third trophy for season 2025 should definitely grace the trophy cabinet. With Coogee playing their nemesis Lindfield with many a match between these two going either way, with the bitter taste of loss in the State Cup semi will give Coogee all the incentive they need! We know nothing is going to be left on the field (except maybe tears of joy from a win!).
Waverley Old Boys AAM v Mosman (MWFA) 5:15pm Field 2
Waverley Old Boys have had a successful season having been crowned Premiers for 2025. This is, like Maroubra, the FIRST time Waverley as a Club as well as a squad, have found themselves taking the road trip to Valentine Park for a Champion of Champions Final. ESFA have had much success in this division at CofC and we are sure that WOB will want to keep this tradition alive and be the first team in their Club history to do so!
We actually in reality have 6 teams off to Valentine, with our Referees Branch supplying match officials to referee the G16 Final between Wakehurst and Lilli Pilli (supported by former ESFA GM Greg Storey!). We congratulate our Referees who have been given this opportunity and honour and are thrilled to advise that three female referees have been appointed. Well done to Michelle Hilton (CR), Ariella Richards (AR) and Grace Zarb (AR).
We look forward to this huge day for ESFA Clubs as well as the Association and we will be cheering from the sidelines (obviously running between fields) and hope that support for all our teams will be strong! We are jubilant for our five Clubs who have made the finals and are experiencing the thrill of the best of grassroots football.
What a way to celebrate 100 years of football for Eastern Suburbs Football Association.