The Canberra soccer landscape has been rocked once again by the sudden withdrawal of two teams from National Premier League competitions.
Capital Football announced on Thursday that Majura FC had withdrawn its NPL boys under-16 and under-18 teams from the remainder of the 2026 season, "effectively immediately".
"The decision follows ongoing discussions between Majura FC and Capital Football and reflects a range of factors that have impacted the club this season, including changes to its coaching structure, declining player numbers, ongoing welfare concerns, recruitment challenges, and misinformation circulated through unofficial online channels," the sporting body said in a statement.
"Capital Football acknowledges Majura FC's commitment to prioritising player wellbeing and thanks the club for its cooperation throughout this process.
"Capital Football is aware of the participation challenges facing some NPL clubs. Addressing these challenges remains a priority, and we are committed to working collaboratively with clubs to strengthen participation and ensure the long-term health of our competitions.
"Capital Football asks the football community to respect the club's decision and support those affected."
As a result of the withdrawals, all Majura FC matches including postponed fixtures involving the under-16 and under-18 boys NPL teams will be updated to 3-0 forfeits in favour of their opponents.
The remaining Majura FC matches scheduled with those teams will be updated to byes for their opponents, and the changes will be reflected on competition draws online by Friday.
Capital Football committed to working with Majura FC to "support any player affected" at the club if they are left without a team.
It's the fifth withdrawal of a club or team from the NPL in the last two years.
BellaMonaro's NPL girls under-16 side pulled out in April, early last season ANU halted its NPLW first grade and reserves program, the collapse of Gungahlin United in November ended their NPL participation and Yoogali SC was kicked out after Capital Football's controversial NPL review.
Concerns about Majura FC's numbers and some lopsided results this season had haunted the club, with this masthead questioning Capital Football back in April on the matter.
Capital Football said it "resolved" concerns raised about Majura FC's female teams earlier in the year, with the club meeting all minimum requirements, and there were no issues identified with the boys NPL teams.
"All Majura NPLB teams were submitted with full team lists at the start of the season," a spokesperson said.
In June, Majura FC's under-16 and under-18 NPL boys teams each had their first forfeits, and they would finish with a total of seven as of last weekend.
Heavy losses included a particularly rough 25-0 July defeat to Belconnen United's under-16 boys team.
Majura FC were contacted for further comment.
One Canberra Raiders star wonders where he would be without Scott Dureau. Another will never forget the way the former Newcastle half took him under his wing after moving across the Tasman.
Canberra duo Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi have added to the stream of tributes flowing for the former Newcastle Knights and Catalans Dragons halfback, who died after a battle with cancer, aged 39.
Dureau played 42 games over four seasons with Newcastle before moving to France to play in the Super League, where he earned Dream Team honours in 2011 and 2012.
He took on a coaching role in the Knights system following his retirement in 2015, eventually taking the reins of the club's Jersey Flegg Cup side and playing a major role in the development of current Newcastle stars Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland.
Raiders duo Hosking and Sasagi came through the Newcastle system, where their paths crossed with Dureau.
"Helped me get to where I am now," Hosking wrote on Instagram.
Sasagi added: "Took a couple kids in from NZ and showed us the ropes. RIP Biscuit."
The chances of the GWS Giants bringing a pre-season game to Manuka Oval next year could be wiped out by international cricket with Canberra at the centre of a major fixture overhaul.
A rescheduled ICC tournament has forced Cricket Australia officials to overhaul plans for the home summer. The Champions Trophy was set to be played across June-July in Sri Lanka, before the game's power brokers moved the tournament to February.
Manuka Oval was initially slated to host a Twenty20 international between the World Cup-winning Australian side and New Zealand on February 24.
The three-game Twenty20 series between Australia and New Zealand has been moved from February 2027 to October 2026, with all three matches to be played in Sydney. Australia's three-game Twenty20 series against Bangladesh - initially pencilled in for that October window - has been scrapped.
Canberra will instead host a one-day international between Australia and New Zealand on March 6, with tickets going on sale on Thursday.
The later fixture means the AFL could struggle to secure Manuka Oval for a pre-season fixture, even if the opening round is delayed due to the 150th anniversary Test at the MCG.
"After the recent notification by the ICC about the change to the Champions Trophy dates, we've produced a revised schedule that provides the best possible outcomes for the teams and fans," CA head of scheduling and cricket operations Peter Roach said.
Was Ricky Stuart's decision to hold back emerging hooker Owen Pattie the right call? Former Raiders playmaker Blake Austin figures it depends who you ask, but he thinks the Canberra coach has nailed this one to ignite a late finals tilt.
"Crazy little situation the Raiders are in," Austin said on the FootyIQ podcast.
"The storyline is whichever way you want to go. Is it 'Ricky has held him back long enough that this is what he has created'? Or is the storyline 'what the bloody hell was he thinking not playing him earlier on in the season?'
"Ricky needs a pretty big wrap for this one, I think."
Austin then turned his attention to the decision to shift Ethan Strange back to the left side, with Ethan Sanders moving to the right as the Raiders mount a late finals charge.
"When your chips are down, you set your heavy artillery, you put them together. I reckon that's what we're seeing, Ethan [Strange] looks so comfortable ... out on the left side of the field. When we see him banging off that left foot, that's what gets the crowd on their feet, that's what gets the boys excited," Austin said.
"Ethan Sanders has really figured out how to play on what is considered the wrong side of the field too. That's another decision where you go 'Hey Ricky, should we have done this from the start?'
"But we don't want to live in what-if land. We want to cling on now, this may be something that can kickstart us into a nice little run to playing finals."
A $10 million master plan for the AIS precinct in Bruce was set to be finished in May. But as we near the end of July, the federal government is still waiting on the final report which will have a domino effect on plans for the future of Canberra Stadium.
The federal government is developing a masterplan for the AIS, while working with its ACT government counterparts to incorporate the stadium into an area containing the Canberra Institute of Technology and North Canberra Hospital.
But as most have come to expect when it comes to Canberra's never-ending stadium saga, the wait for a long-term vision continues to drag on.
"The minister has not yet received the final report, which is expected to be completed later this month," a spokesperson for Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
"Once received, the government will consider in-detail its findings and endorse a long-term vision for the precinct."
Ferran Torres fired a ball into the back of the net to win the World Cup for Spain and declared "it was a goal scored by 47 million people." We can add a few more from Canberra.
The Spanish Australian Club of Canberra roared to life when Torres' stunning extra time strike gave Spain a 1-0 win over Argentina in Monday morning's FIFA World Cup final.
While there might have been 47 million cheering from Spain, there were others riding every moment around the globe.
Spanish fans passed around a replica World Cup trophy as they filled the room in Narrabundah, sharing churros and chocolate as they watched their side piece together a dominant display. They stood on tables clutching flags. Babies were dressed in the jerseys of the national team.
Australia is home to little more than 17,000 Spaniards. Many of them filled venues across the country to watch Spain clinch their second World Cup in 16 years. They danced on tables in Bondi's Beach Road Hotel. They cheered in Darling Harbour.
They celebrated at watch parties across Canberra, with venues like The Dock and The Pedlar swinging open the doors early on Monday morning after the ACT government granted extended trading hours for the special event.
And back in Spain, more than one million people lined the streets of Madrid to welcome home the nation's World Cup winners following their triumph in the United States. It was estimated about 120,000 fans were gathered at Cibeles square alone.
Spain are now the game's undisputed champions, having claimed the Women's World Cup on these shores in 2023.
And there may be more success on the horizon. Pin-up boy Lamine Yamal is just 19 years old. Little more than a week ago, Spain won both men's and women's under 19s European championships. Their under 23s won gold at the Olympic Games in 2024. Spain won the senior European championship in 2024. Their women's side lost the final of the 2025 edition on penalties.
Only two teams have won back-to-back men's World Cups. You would be brave to bet against Spain becoming the third. Wouldn't that be some celebration in Narrabundah?
Brent Clark has taken the reins at Hockey ACT, filling the void left by Rob Sheekey and ending the search for a new chief executive.
Clark started in the role on Monday, having spent five years on the Hockey Australia board while also enjoying a stint as a Hockey One League board member.
"There is a strong foundation to build on, a passionate hockey community, and a real opportunity to continue growing the game across Canberra, Albury-Wodonga and Young," Clark said.
"Developing our local talent and providing pathways from grassroots through to elite hockey will be a key focus for me. The continued growth and success of the Canberra Chill is an important part of that journey.
"Success in sport is built on strong communities. My goal is to ensure Hockey ACT is an organisation that supports its people, embraces new opportunities and creates an environment where everyone can be involved, improve and succeed."
The Canberra Gunners will look to keep their NBL1 East title defence alive on home court with the reigning champions locking in an elimination final in Tuggeranong.
The Gunners will host the Maitland Mustangs at the Tuggeranong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night after finishing sixth to earn a home final.
The Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence will also host an elimination final against the Central Coast Crusaders at the AIS on Saturday afternoon.
The Centre of Excellence's women's side has already locked in a qualifying final appearance after finishing fourth. They face the formidable Norths Bears, who finished the regular season with a remarkable 20-0 record. The Canberra Nationals finished out of playoff contention in 10th.
