The Italian community of Australia has played an influential role in the history of Australian soccer. Numerous clubs have been formed over the years in every state and territory, where present there are at least thirty active Italian football clubs competing in official senior competitions.
History The first Italian football and sporting club established in Australia was Charlestown City Blues FC, founded in 1963. In 2019, the club was renamed Charlestown Azzurri FC. Numerous clubs took various types of inspirations from professional clubs in Italy. It has officially been acknowledged that five clubs took inspiration from Juventus, and another two from AC Milan and US Triestina.
It is debated regarding which club is the most successful and has the largest following. Marconi Stallions FC leads in the most National Soccer League championships, being equal first in the league total. Adelaide City FC acquired the most NSL Cups, and is the only Italian club to have become a continental champion, winning the OFC Champions League in 1987. Overall, the Italian clubs produced a total of nine national championships, seven national cups, one continental cup, and various state championships and cups respectively.
National Soccer League participants
The following list of clubs participated in the defunct National Soccer League, which was at its time the highest level of soccer in Australia. A total of seven clubs from four states participated, producing a total of nine championships, seven cups and one continental championship, during the league's existence.
Club Other Name(s) City/Town Season(s) Honour(s)Adelaide City FC Adelaide Force FC Adelaide Juventus FC Juventus FCAdelaide1977 - 2002-03 NSL Champions: 3 1986, 1991–92, 1991–92 NSL Cup Winners: 3 1979, 1989, 1991–92 OFC Champions League Champions: 1 1987APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC APIA Leichhardt FCSydney1979 - 1991-92 NSL Champions: 1 1987 NSL Cup Winners: 1 1988Brisbane City FCBrisbane1977 - 1986 NSL Cup Winners: 2 1977, 1978Brunswick Zebras FC Brunswick Juventus FC Brunswick Pumas FC Melbourne SCMelbourne1984 - 1988, 1993-94 - 1994-95 NSL Champions: 1 1985Carlton SCMelbourne1997-98 - mid-season of 2000-01Gippsland Falcons FC Eastern Pride FC Morwell Falcons FCMorwell1992-93 - 2000-01Inter Monaro SCQueanbeyan1985 - 1986Marconi Stallions FC Marconi-Fairfield FCSydney1977 - 2003-04 NSL Champions: 4 1979, 1988, 1989, 1992–93 NSL Cup Winners: 1 1980
Clubs by state/territory
Australian Capital Territory
Club Founded Location StatusCanberra Juventus FC1953Ainslie, CanberraNPL
New South Wales
Club Founded Location StatusAPIA Leichhardt FC1954Leichhardt, SydneyNPLCharlestown Azzurri FC2009Charlestown, Lake MacquarieNorthern NPLHamilton Azzurri FC1963Hamilton North, NewcastleAA'Men & O'35 Newcastle Football CommunityInter Lions SC1983Concord, SydneyNSW League OneInter Monaro SC1967Queanbeyan, Southern TablelandsAmalgamated with Monaro Panthers FC, 1995Marconi Stallions FC1958Fairfield, SydneyNPLMonaro Panthers FC1995Queanbeyan, Southern TablelandsNPL Australian Capital TerritoryPort Kembla FC1966Primbee, WollongongIllawarra Premier League
Northern Territory
Club Founded Location StatusUniversity Azzurri FC1999Casuarina, DarwinNorZone Premier LeagueVerdi FC1970East Side, Alice SpringsSouthern Zone Premier League
Queensland
Club Founded Location StatusAcross the Waves FC1958Bundaberg FQPL3 Wide BayBrisbane City FC1952Newmarket, BrisbaneNPLAC Carina FC1986Brisbane Abruzzo Club, Brisbane, QueenslandFootball Queensland Premier League 3Merrimac FC1978Clear Island Waters, Gold CoastGold Coast League 1
South Australia
Club Founded Location StatusAdelaide Blue Eagles1958Marden, AdelaideState League 1Adelaide City1946Oakden, AdelaideNPLCampbelltown City1963Newton, AdelaideNPLFulham United1970Fulham Gardens, AdelaideState League 1MetroStars1994Klemzig, AdelaideNPLNorthern Demons1951Port Pirie South, Port PirieState League 2Savoy SC1949Solomontown, Port PirieSAASLWestern Strikers1980Royal Park, AdelaideState League 2
Tasmania
Club Founded Location StatusClarence Zebras FC2019Howrah, HobartNPL TasmaniaLaunceston City FC1958Prospect Vale, LauncestonNPL Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Club Founded Location StatusBalcatta FC1977Balcatta, PerthNPLBayswater City SC1961Bayswater, PerthNPLFremantle City FC2014Beaconsfield, PerthSL 1Perth Azzurri SC1948West Perth, PerthNPL
See also
Italian Australians List of sports clubs inspired by others List of Croatian soccer clubs in Australia List of Greek soccer clubs in Australia List of Serbian soccer clubs in Australia
References