Football Canterbury Incorporated (previously CDSFA) was formed in 1922 with its first season of operation being 1923. Over the best part of a century, the Association has grown to become one of the most respected, largest and most culturally diverse Associations in NSW. There are over 165 different nationalities resident in the Canterbury & District Association. The Association has in excess of 16,500 persons involved in football in its geographic region ranging from players in the Under 6 to Over 45 competitions together with the various officials at all levels. Our competitions cover all age groups in both men's and women's football.
The Association covers the inner west region of Sydney. The Association has clubs based in the Inner West, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury Bankstown and Strathfield government council areas and a part of the City of Sydney.
Football Canterbury Inc is a member organisation of Football NSW.
Canterbury is currently experiencing a growth in playing numbers as football continues to emerge as the dominant sport in Australia.
There are thirty-one (31) member clubs within the Association that represent all participants, together with a local referees association. All contact information for the member Clubs of the Football Canterbury are located in the "Club Contacts" section of this website.
The Association has a modern and contemporary governance structure which comprises a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the organisation and setting policy which is consistent with the object of the Association as defined in the constitution.
The Association has established its administrative base within the east wing of the Pratten Park Community Sports and Bowling Club which is located at 42 Arthur Street, Ashfield. Football Canterbury has invested in renovating the east wing of the Club to house its operations and work of the various Association Committees.
Football Canterbury also has a lease as the winter tenant at Pratten Park which is located at the rear of the Pratten Park Bowling Club. Foobtall Canterbury has worked closely with the Ashfield Municipal Council to improve the infra-structure facilities at the ground, including the building of two new change rooms for teams using the park and a referees' change room. All change rooms have shower and toilet facilities. Public toilets were also erected as part of the new facility building. Investment in the Pratten Park has been in excess of $500K.
​ The Association provides for football participation on a number of levels as well as delivery of coach education opportunities fully funded by the Football Canterbury and works closely with the local referees body (the CRA) in recruiting and training referees.
A number of the key objects for which the Association was establish include but is not limited to:
- The advancement of health by participation in football activity to combat the threat of increasing incidence of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity;
- To provide, promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle for school age persons specifically and the community generally through football education, participation and programs;
- To build community cohesion and social well being through participation in community football
- To increase participation levels in football for lower socio-economic groups by working with other organisations to remove economic and social barriers;
- To encourage and grow to the benefit of the community inclusive programs through community football to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour;
- ​To seek and obtain improved facilities for the enjoyment of community football in the region.
- The Association's Vision Statement is "Enriching the community through Football"
- The Association's Mission is "Delivering football to the Community"
2024 Patrons:
- Member for Barton - Hon Linda Burney MP
- Member for Grayndler - Hon Anthony Albanese MP
- Member for Drummoyne - Stephanie Di Pasqua MP
- Member for Reid - Sally Sitou MP
- Member for Sydney - Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
- Member for Watson - Tony Burke MP
- Member for Balmain - Kobi Shetty MP
- Member for Canterbury - Sophie Cotsis MP
- Member for Bankstown - Jihad Dib MP
- Member for Newtown - Jenny Leong MP
- Member for Strathfield - Jason Yat-sen Li MP
- Member for Summer Hill - Jo Haylen MP
- Mayor of Burwood - Cr John Faker
- Mayor of City of Canada Bay - Cr Michael Megna
- Mayor of Inner West - Cr Darcy Byrne
- Mayor of Strathfield - Cr John-Paul Baladi
- Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown - Cr Bilal El-Hayak
