We invite you to join Australia’s most famous Football Club, which has housed more Socceroos and National Team Captains than any other Club in the history of Australian Football. Proudly Sponsored by Alliance Partner, the Canada Bay Club – with 20,000 members, the Canada Bay Club plays a vital role in supporting the local community.
State-of-the-art function rooms: Ideal for celebrations, corporate events, and social gatherings.
Regular live entertainment: Enjoy live music, shows, and events throughout the year.
Diverse dining options: Indulge in delicious authentic Chinese at Phoenix Chinese, the late-night Café, and Italian Brasserie.
Family-friendly facilities: Keep the kids entertained with the Kid’s arcade and playground.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers Junior Football Club offers a unique football environment for our young aspiring football enthusiasts, from the ripe young age of 3 years old, all the way up to Over 50s and All Age Men and Women. A Club built around family values and echo recreation sporting wellbeing through football. A Club that has been offering recreational football to our community since 1954. A true heritage icon within the Inner West of Sydney.
Register early to join our family-oriented football club, where we echo recreation, well-being,
and strong values through the love of the game.
Under 3s/ 4s / 5s / 6s / 7s
Boys and Girls Mini Tigers
The only club in NSW able to provide a pathway from Nursery to local association to JDL to NPL Youth and Seniors in both boys and girls and Men’s and Women’s in the Division 1 National Premier League.
Our Winter competition includes:
Training SessionsAlgie Park, HaberfieldWednesday afternoon5.00pm – 6.00pm
Game Day CompetitionAlgie Park, HaberfieldSaturday Morning8.00am – 9.00am
Nursery Infoline – 0484 002 000 or 0412 771 707
Email- admin@apiajuniorsfc.com
Under 9s, 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s Division 1 & Division 2– Development Program
BoysADP – APIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The purpose of the Club formulating an Under 9s, 10s, 11 and 12s Division 1 & 2 Development Program is that some players have commenced playing later than others, and as such have been disadvantaged, and because of such a young age, there is still an opportunity to move forward and prepare yourself to attain a NSW SAP or NSW NPL Premier Youth League position, moving forward.
Structure: The teams will participate in the Canterbury District Football Association Under 9s, Under 10s, Under11s, Under12s, Under13s, Under14s, Under15s and Under16s – Division 1 or Division 2 Competition.
The teams will consist of:
U9s x 11 players, U10s x 11 players, U11s x 12 Players, U12 x 13 Players, U13s x 14 Players, U14s, U15s and U16s x 16 players
Training will be compulsory for two sessions a week
The coach will be licenced/accredited. (No Parents)
Trials DatesLambert Park, Leichhardt- TBA
Algie Park, Haberfield- TBA
Programme will recommence late March 2026.TRAINING DAYS/TIMES:Tuesday / Thursdays or Tuesday / WednesdayTimes TBA
Games commence
Saturday TBA (Games commence April 2026)
For further information, please send an email to admin@apiajuniorsfc.com
Under 7s – Under 16s (Players born 2009-2018)
Girls Elite Development Program
The club is proud to have established and is now able provide player pathways with newly created programs for females.
Our GEDP – Girls Elite Development Program has been created for Under 8s to Under 16s (Players born 2009-2018)
These players will be provided with the same curriculum, program and guidance that we use for our very well established GSAP program. It will include all the same technical and tactical coaching by our certified coaches, which allows the players to quickly and continually move through the club’s pathways and move directly into our GSAP program and then into our Youth Program. All players in our GEDP Program will play competitively each Sunday in the local CDSFA competition representing APIA Leichhardt Women’s FC.
The program runs for 20 weeks.
Each player will receive two nights a week training.
Home Playing Kit consisting of a personalised MACRON Jersey, Shorts and Socks, a Polo Shirt, Jacket and Backpack.
All competition entry fees, and insurance covered.
Parents will also receive complimentary season passes for all Senior Home games.
All our players will also have access to our A league Women’s Players and the ability to meet and interact on NPL Match Days.
Ultimately our club’s goal is to move away from having trials for our GSAP Program and select only players from within our own Development programs, to ensure our players are playing the APIA way – Fast, Possession based, Attacking minded Football and help develop them to see them go through our pathways of GSAP, NPL1 Youth and into Senior Football.
The reality is some players won’t ever fulfil their potential as they haven’t been taught the right way to play or to ensure the basics required from an early age have been perfected. The ideology behind our GEDP is to ensure the players will be given a thorough football education from Elite coaches all of whom will be A. B or C license coaches whom have either played at elite level including National teams, NPL, or A League Womens throughout their careers.
To register to join our GEDP Program please click on the register now.
Canterbury District SoccerFootball Association
District Juniors (Ages 8s – 16s) Girls/ Boys
District Youth (Ages U17s, U18’s)
District Women All Age and Over 30s
District Men All-Age and Over 35s, 45s and 50s
The Training facilities are based in:
Competition starts late March 2026, with all registrations and grading to be completed by mid-February 2026.
A Life History of APIA Leichhardt FC
APIA Leichhardt FC, founded in 1954 by members of Sydney’s vibrant Italian-Australian community, is one of the most iconic and historic football clubs in Australia. The club began its journey in the Canterbury District competition before swiftly rising through the ranks to join the NSW Federation’s First Division in 1957.
The 1960s and 70s were golden decades for APIA, with the club securing multiple NSW Premierships and State Cup victories. In 1966, they etched their name into national football history by winning the prestigious Australia Cup, defeating Hakoah 2–0. Another memorable moment came in 1974 when APIA triumphed 9–1 over Auburn in the State Cup final—an emphatic performance led by Peter Ollerton and captain Jimmy Rooney.
In 1978, Tony Raciti was appointed President of APIA Leichhardt—a position he would go on to hold for decades. Raciti became a driving force behind the club’s stability, growth, and professional development, especially through challenging periods. Under his leadership, APIA joined the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1979 and soon reached the pinnacle of Australian football, winning the NSL Championship in 1987 under coach Rale Rasic and the NSL Cup in 1988.
Despite financial setbacks in the early 1990s, which led to the club’s withdrawal from the NSL in 1992, Raciti remained a central figure in guiding APIA through its rebranding to APIA Leichhardt Tigers and its successful focus on state-level competition. The club secured Grand Final victories in 2003 and 2019 in the NSW Premier League.
In 2014, thanks in part to Raciti’s unwavering vision and persistence, APIA completed a major redevelopment of Lambert Park, turning it into a boutique football venue—realizing a long-held dream of the club’s founders. Five years later, in 2019, the club officially returned to its roots by dropping the “Tigers” nickname and reinstating its original badge and name: APIA Leichhardt FC.
In 2018, APIA made national headlines by defeating A-League champions Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup—an unforgettable underdog victory that highlighted the club’s resilience and quality.
In 2023, APIA was named one of the eight foundation clubs for the upcoming National Second Tier competition, set to launch in 2025. This achievement was yet another testament to the long-term vision and leadership of Tony Raciti, who has been instrumental in preserving the club’s proud legacy while paving the way for a promising future.
Today, APIA Leichhardt FC stands as a beacon of tradition, community, and competitive excellence in Australian football—driven by a rich past and a bold future.
