Waratah Cup

Last updated

Waratah Cup
Founded1971
Region New South Wales
Number of teams159 (as of 2024)
Current champions APIA Leichhardt (2024)
Most successful club(s) Hakoah Sydney City East (7 titles)
Sydney United 58 (7 titles)
Website The Waratah Cup
Soccerball current event.svg 2025 Waratah Cup

The Waratah Cup is a knockout cup competition in New South Wales, run by the governing body of football in NSW, Football NSW. Teams competing in the Waratah Cup come from the National Premier Leagues NSW, NSW League One, NSW League Two, and numerous other semi professional & amateur association clubs within New South Wales. The Cup is held during the NPL NSW seasons. Since 2014 preliminary rounds of the Waratah Cup have been used to determine the NSW entrants to the national FFA Cup competition, now known as the Australia Cup. [1]

Contents

History

Federation Cup (1957–1966) and original Waratah Cup / Rothmans Cup (1970s)

When the federation began in 1957, it held its first member cup competition, called the NSW Federation Cup. Canterbury-Marrickville were the inaugural winners of the competition with a 4–2 victory over Gladesville-Ryde. They retained the title the following year when they defeated Prague in the final. The tournament garnered sponsorship the following season and was named the "Ascot Thousand" for two years and the "Craven A Cup" for the next years. Due to lack of sponsorship, the 1963 tournament returned to the Federation Cup naming but was also known as the Henry Seamonds Trophy from 1964, named after the late NSW and Australian Soccer Federation president. The competition continued to run for a further four years in this manner before finally dissolving due to lack of interest. After ten editions, the final tournament was held in 1966. The winners that year were APIA Leichhardt. During this period, teams competed mainly from the first division with the best placed second division clubs during the season also gaining entry into the competition to create equal numbers for the knockout tournament. [2]

The NSW federation cup notion was re-introduced in 1971, under the banner of the Waratah Cup, with Sydney Hakoah winning the title. The 1972 edition was also held with 20 teams entering from across multiple levels of the soccer pyramid in NSW with four teams gaining entry from Northern NSW Football. There was no title held in 1973 but was re-introduced in 1974 sponsored by Rothmans. These tournaments garnered a lot of interest from many clubs with up to eight rounds being played before the quarter-finals in the 1976 edition. [3]

With many influential clubs departing the federation with the introduction of the National Soccer League in 1977, the idea of federation wide cup tournaments were abandoned until the 1990s. However, the pre-season Ampol Cup continued during this time, often with the NSL clubs competing against the First Division clubs in the federation. In 1990, a State Challenge Cup was held by teams from the First Division, paving way for the re-introduction of the Waratah Cup.

Rebirth (1991–1997) and re-introduction (2004–2013)

In 1991, the Challenge Cup and the first division pre-season cup were replaced by the NSW Waratah State Cup. Little is known of the original format of the fledgling editions but by 1995, 99 teams were competing [4] and 94 in 1996. [5] In 1997, Wollongong Wolves FC won the final Waratah Cup before it was resurrected after six years in 2004.

Since this time, the competition has continued uninterrupted, save for the 2020 and 2021 editions that were cancelled due to COVID-19. The initial edition in 2004 was won by Sydney Crescent Star with an extra time win over fellow NSW Premier League team, Bonnyrigg White Eagles. In the following nine years, Sutherland were the only club to win the cup on two occasions (in 2009 and 2012) and the 2010 final was the only edition to be decided on penalties, with Marconi defeating Spirit FC after the match was still scoreless after extra time.

Current format (since 2014)

Since 2014 the Waratah Cup has become part of the qualifying competition for the FFA Cup, now known as the Australia Cup. In 2014, seven teams qualified for the Round of 32. [6] [7]

For 2015, the preliminary rounds of the 2015 FFA Cup replaced the early rounds of the competition; the 5 NSW qualifiers to the Round of 32 then competed for the 2015 Waratah Cup. [8]

Starting in 2015, the reigning champions of the National Premier Leagues qualified directly for the FFA Cup proper (round of 32). Blacktown City, Sydney United, and Wollongong Wolves won the NPL national championships in 2015, 2016, and 2019 respectively. Therefore the three teams were not required to participate in FFA Cup preliminary rounds in 2016, 2017, and 2021. They were also seeded directly into final rounds of the Waratah Cup in the respective seasons, along with the other FFA Cup qualifiers from NSW. [9]

From 2020 onwards, NSW qualification to the Round of 32 decreased to four slots instead of the previous five.

Format

As the preliminary rounds form part of the Australia Cup, the final rounds occur after the Australia Cup Preliminary Seventh Round is completed. [10] The example in the table relates to the 2023 season.

PhaseRoundClubs remainingClubs involvedFrom previous roundEntries in this roundTeams entering at this round
Australia Cup
preliminary rounds
Round 2174132132National Levels 6+
Round 3108886622National Levels 4–5
Round 464644420National Levels 2–3
Round 5323232none
Round 6161616
Round 7888
FinalsSemi-finals444
Final222

Australia Cup qualifiers

Since 2014, the Waratah Cup preliminary rounds have acted as qualifiers for the Australia Cup.

YearNo.Australia Cup (formerly FFA Cup) Qualifiers
2014 7 Blacktown City, Hakoah Sydney City East, Manly United, Parramatta FC, South Coast Wolves, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58
2015 5 Balmain Tigers, Blacktown City, Rockdale City Suns, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58
2016 6 Blacktown City, [a] Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Manly United, Marconi Stallions, Sydney United 58, Wollongong Wolves
2017 5 APIA Leichhardt, Bankstown Berries, Blacktown City, Hakoah Sydney City East, Hills Brumbies, Sydney United 58 [b]
2018 5 APIA Leichhardt, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Hakoah Sydney City East, Marconi Stallions, Rockdale City Suns
2019 5 Manly United, Marconi Stallions, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sydney United 58, St George FC
2020Waratah Cup and 2020 FFA Cup cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia . [11]
2021 5 APIA Leichhardt, Blacktown City, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sydney Olympic, Wollongong Wolves [c]
2022 4 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, NWS Spirit, Sydney United 58, Wollongong United
2023 4 APIA Leichhardt, Inter Lions, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sydney United 58
2024 4 APIA Leichhardt, Blacktown City, NWS Spirit, Rockdale Ilinden
2025 4 APIA Leichhardt, Northern Tigers, SD Raiders, Sydney United 58
Notes
  1. Blacktown City qualified as 2015 National Premier Leagues Champions.
  2. Sydney United 58 qualified as 2016 National Premier Leagues Champions.
  3. Wollongong Wolves qualified as 2019 National Premier Leagues Champions.

Past finals

Below is a list of all federation cup finals since the inaugural NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs season in 1957. Please note the name changes throughout the years, due to various reasons:

YearWinners (number of titles)ScoreRunners-up
1957 Canterbury-Marrickville 4–2 [12] Gladesville-Ryde
1958 Canterbury-Marrickville (2)3–2 Sydney Prague
1959 Hakoah 2–0 Sydney Prague
1960 Bankstown 1–0 Canterbury-Marrickville
1961 Hakoah (2)2–0 Canterbury-Marrickville
1962 APIA Leichhardt 5–1 Canterbury-Marrickville
1963 Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (3)2–1 South Coast United
1964 St. George Budapest 4–3 South Coast United
1965 Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (4)3–1 Pan Hellenic
1966 APIA Leichhardt (2)3–2 St. George Budapest
1967–1970 No competition held
1971 Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (5)3–2 South Sydney-Croatia
1972 St. George-Budapest (2)3–2 Marconi-Fairfield
1973 No competition held
1974 South Sydney-Croatia 1–0St. George-Budapest
1975 APIA Leichhardt (3)2–0 Western Suburbs
1976 Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (6)3–1South Sydney-Croatia
1977–1989 No competition held
1990 Canberra Croatia 3–0 Sydney Macedonia
1991 Blacktown City 2–1 Avala
1992 Avala 4–1 Canberra Metro
1993 Blacktown City (2)unknown
1994 Bankstown City (2)2–1 Sydney Olympic
1995 Sydney United (2)2–1Canterbury-Marrickville
1996 Sydney United (3)2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Parramatta Eagles
1997 Wollongong Wolves 2–0 Bankstown City
1998–2003 No competition held
2004 Sydney Crescent Star 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2005 Sydney United (4)3–1 Belconnen Blue Devils
2006Blacktown City (3)2–1 APIA Leichhardt
2007 Wollongong Wolves (2)3–2 Manly United
2008 Bankstown City (2)3–1 Sydney Olympic
2009 Sutherland Sharks 2–1 Manly United
2010 Marconi Stallions 0–0 (7–6( p )) Spirit FC
2011 Manly United 4–0 Mounties Wanderers
2012 Sutherland Sharks (2)4–1 APIA Leichhardt
2013 APIA Leichhardt (4)3–0 Sutherland Sharks
2014 Blacktown City (4)6–2 Manly United
2015 Sydney United 58 (5)1–0 Blacktown City
2016 Sydney United 58 (6)1–0 Manly United
2017 Hakoah Sydney City East (7)3–1 APIA Leichhardt
2018 APIA Leichhardt (5)3–0 Hakoah Sydney City East
2019 Marconi Stallions (2)2–1 Sydney United 58
2020Waratah Cup and 2020 FFA Cup cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. [11]
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [13]
2022 NWS Spirit 2–1 Sydney United 58
2023 Sydney United 58 (7)3–1 APIA Leichhardt
2024 APIA Leichhardt (6)3–0 Rockdale Ilinden
2025 Sydney United 58 (8)1–0 Northern Tigers

Source: OzFootball.net

Performance by club

All-time honour board
This list includes all Waratah Cup champions and runners-up since the inaugural New South Wales Federation of Soccer Clubs in 1957. [14]

ClubTitlesYearsRunners-upYears
Sydney United 58 81974, 1995, 1996, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2025 41971, 1976, 2019, 2022
Hakoah Sydney City East 71959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1971, 1976, 2017 1 2018
APIA Leichhardt 51962, 1966, 1975, 2013, 2018 42006, 2012, 2017, 2023
Blacktown City 41991, 1993, 2006, 2014 1 2015
Bankstown City 21994, 200821990, 1997
Canterbury Bankstown 21957, 195841960, 1961, 1962, 1995
St George FC 21964, 197221966, 1974
Sutherland Sharks 2 2009, 2012 1 2013
Marconi Stallions 2 2010, 2019 11972
Wollongong Wolves 21997, 20070
Manly United 1201142007, 2009, 2014, 2016
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1199221991, 2004
Canberra FC 1199011992
NWS Spirit 1 2022 1 2010
Sydney Crescent Stars 120040
Gladesville-Ryde011957
Prague 021958, 1959
South Coast United 021963, 1964
Sydney Olympic 031965, 1994, 2008
Western Suburbs 011975
Parramatta FC 011996
Belconnen Blue Devils 012005
Mounties Wanderers 01 2011
Northern Tigers 01 2025

Earlier NSW State Cups

This table consists of finals of state cup competitions held by the New South Wales Soccer Football Association from 1885. [15]

CompetitionYearWinnerScoreRunners-Up
Rainsford Trophy1885Granville3–1Caledonian
Rainsford Trophy1886Granville2–0Canterbury
Rainsford Trophy1887Hamilton Athletic4–1Granville
Gardiner Challenge Cup1888Caledonian4–2Parkgrove
Gardiner Challenge Cup1880Pyrmont Rangers1–0Joadji
Gardiner Challenge Cup1890Pyrmont Rangers3–1Granville
Gardiner Challenge Cup1891Parkgrove4–1Pyrmont Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1892Minmi Rangers3–0Pyrmont Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1893Pyrmont Rangers1–0Minmi Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1894Pyrmont Rangers7–2Parkgrove
Gardiner Challenge Cup1895Balmain4–2Pyrmont Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1896Balmain3–1Pyrmont Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1897Balmain2–1Pyrmont Rangers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1898Pyrmont Volunteers3–2Newcastle West
Gardiner Challenge Cup1899Pyrmont Rangers5–2 Balgownie
Gardiner Challenge Cup1900 West Wallsend 3–3,
4–1 (replay)
Pyrmont Volunteers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1901 West Wallsend 4–1 Balgownie
Gardiner Challenge Cup1902Pyrmont Rovers3–1 West Wallsend
Gardiner Challenge Cup1903Pyrmont Rovers4–2Glebe
Gardiner Challenge Cup1904Granville2–1Glebe
Gardiner Challenge Cup1905Balmain2–2,
2–1 (replay)
Rozelle
Gardiner Challenge Cup1906Glebe3–2Pyrmont Rovers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1907Broadmeadows0–0,
3–2 (replay)
Pyrmont Rovers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1908Pyrmont Rovers4–0Glebe
Gardiner Challenge Cup1909 Adamstown Rosebud 0–0,
3–1 (replay)
Pyrmont Rovers
Gardiner Challenge Cup1910HMS Powerful2–0Helensburgh
Gardiner Challenge Cup1911Balmain2–1HMS Powerful
Gardiner Challenge Cup1912Balmain1–0Sydney
Gardiner Challenge Cup1913Annandale3–0Newtown
Gardiner Challenge Cup1914Granville3–1Merewether Advance
Gardiner Challenge Cup1915Balmain2–0 West Wallsend
1916–17 No tournament due to World War I
Gardiner Challenge Cup1918Weston1–0Balmain Kiora
Gardiner Challenge Cup1919Balmain Fernleigh3–0 West Wallsend
Gardiner Challenge Cup1920Balmain Fernleigh2–0Granville
Gardiner Challenge Cup1921 West Wallsend 3–1Granville
Gardiner Challenge Cup1922Granville1–0 West Wallsend
Gardiner Challenge Cup1923 West Wallsend 0–0,
0–0 (replay),
4–4 (replay),
1–0 (replay)
Sydney
Gardiner Challenge Cup1924 West Wallsend 3–0Woonona
Gardiner Challenge Cup1925 Adamstown Rosebud 2–0Cessnock
Gardiner Challenge Cup1926 West Wallsend 2–1 Adamstown Rosebud
Gardiner Challenge Cup1927Gladesville-Ryde2–0Granville
Gardiner Challenge Cup1928Thirroul Rangers3–0Pyrmont
State Cup Series1928Aberdare2–0Weston
State Cup Series1929Cessnock2–0 Wallsend
State Cup Series1930 Adamstown Rosebud 2–0Cessnock
State Cup Series1931 West Wallsend 3–0Woonona
State Cup Series1932Weston8–1 Adamstown Rosebud
State Cup Series1933St. George3–3,
5–3 (replay)
Cessnock
State Cup Series1934Weston5–1 Adamstown Rosebud
State Cup Series1935Metters5–0St. George
State Cup Series1936Weston3–2Metters
State Cup Series1937 Wallsend 3–1Weston
State Cup Series1938Metters4–0 Adamstown Rosebud
State Cup Series1939Weston2–2,
2–1 (replay)
Goodyear
State Cup Series1940Metters4–2 Adamstown Rosebud
State Cup Series1941Leichhardt-Annandale6–3Granville
State Cup Series1942 Wallsend 8–1Gladesville-Ryde
State Cup Series1943Merewether4–2Woonona-Bulli
State Cup Series1944Merewether6–3Cessnock
State League Cup1943Leichhardt-Annandale3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Adamstown Rosebud
State League Cup1944 Wallsend 8–2Gace Brothers
State League Cup1945 West Wallsend 2–1Metters
State League Cup1946Canterbury-Bankstown4–1Adamstown
State League Cup1947 Corrimal 5–1Canterbury-Bankstown
State League Cup1948Leichhardt-Annandale4–2 Wallsend
State League Cup1949Leichhardt-Annandale3–0Granville
State League Cup1950 Wallsend 5–2Granville
State League Cup1951Granville3–0Mayfield United
State League Cup1952 Wallsend 2–0 West Wallsend
State League Cup1953Auburn1–0 Corrimal
State League Cup1954 Corrimal Rangers 5–1Leichhardt-Annandale
State League Cup1955Leichhardt Annandale2–1Granville
State League Cup1956Leichhardt Annandale6–4 Corrimal Rangers
State League Cup1957 Wallsend 0–0,
2–0 (replay)
Granville
State League Cup1958Toronto-Awaba4–2 Wallsend

See also

References

  1. "NSW WARATAH CUP". Football NSW . Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  2. The NSW Soccer Year Book 1960. NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs via Robworth. pp. 21–25.
  3. "1976 NSW Rothmans State Cup". socceraust.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. "1995 Waratah Cup". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. "1996 Waratah Cup". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  6. "NSW WARATAH CUP". Football NSW . Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  7. "2014 Waratah Cup Match Schedule And Results" (PDF). Football NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  8. "FFA Cup - Football NSW" (PDF). footballnsw.com.au. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  9. "Westfield FFA Cup 2016 Preliminary Draw Announced". footballnsw.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  10. "NSW Waratah Cup". footballnsw.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game . SBS. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  12. "Official Federation Soccer Yearbook 1958" (PDF). Federation Soccer Yearbook. Sydney: N.S.W. Federation of Soccer Clubs. 1958. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  13. "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  14. "SoccerAust: NSW Cup Winners" . Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  15. "Australia - List of Regional Cup Winners". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 13 September 2023.