The following residents of the ACT draw the attention of the Assembly to the collapse of Gungahlin United Football Club and the serious unanswered questions that remain.
The club’s financial collapse did not occur overnight. There are concerns that earlier intervention or stronger oversight by relevant governing bodies may have identified risks and prevented escalation. Players, families and volunteers have experienced significant financial and personal impacts as a result. The community is entitled to clear answers and accountability. Gungahlin United was a major community sporting organisation, with more than 2,000 players by June 2025, including:
- 170 teams across all ages and competitions
- Over 100 matches played each Saturday at Harrison
- A partnership with Western Sydney Wanderers FC
- The leaders in high performance and youth player development
- Projected growth to around 2,400 players by 2030.
The collapse of a club of this scale raises legitimate questions about governance, oversight and the sustainability of community sport in the ACT.
Your petitioners therefore request the Assembly to call on the ACT Government to:
1. Conduct a full, independent inquiry into:
(a) the governance, financial management and decision-making processes within Gungahlin United Football Club;
(b) whether appropriate oversight, monitoring and intervention occurred by Capital Football and relevant governing bodies;
(c) whether any warning signs were identified, and if so, how they were managed;
(d) whether infrastructure constraints, including the delayed delivery of the Throsby Home of Football, impacted the club’s operations and financial position.
2. Undertake a governance review of Capital Football, including:
(a) its oversight of affiliated clubs;
(b) its financial monitoring and intervention processes;
(c) the adequacy of current safeguards to ensure the sustainability of community football clubs.
3. Refer any evidence of serious misconduct identified through the inquiry to the appropriate authorities.