What is the Shire Premier League?
The Shire Premier League (SPL) and Shire Premier League Women (SPLW) represent the highest level of senior football within the Sutherland Shire, providing an elite and competitive environment for the region’s leading male and female players.
The men’s SPL was established in 2022 and consists of 10 clubs, with each club selecting a Premier League squad of up to 36 players. Squads compete across First Grade and Reserve Grade, providing clubs with a strong senior pathway and creating a highly competitive standard of football.
The SPLW provides the equivalent premier competition for women’s football within the Sutherland Shire, bringing together the region’s leading female players and clubs, and plays an important role in strengthening the pathway for women and girls within local football.
Since their introduction, the Premier League competitions have continued to grow in both quality and competitiveness. SPL and SPLW squads feature players with experience at higher levels of the Australian football pathway, including the NSW National Premier Leagues (NPL).
In 2025, the Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) introduced a promotion and relegation system to the men’s SPL. Promotion and relegation is determined through the Club Championship, which combines First Grade and Reserve Grade results, with First Grade results carrying double points — the highest eligible club from the SSFA AM3 competition earns promotion into the SPL.
Sylvania FC in the SPL
Over the course of five seasons, Sylvania has established itself as a mainstay of the Shire Premier League. Competing against some of the largest and most established football clubs in the Sutherland Shire, Sylvania has consistently punched above its weight and shown that it belongs at the highest level of local football.
In 2022, Sylvania entered the competition with a squad featuring former Central Coast Mariners player Hayden Morton, former New Zealand international goalkeeper Glen Moss, and, most notably, former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan. While results did not always fall our way, the squad continued to turn up, compete and represent the club with pride. Our Reserve Grade side also enjoyed a strong campaign, narrowly missing out on a top-four finish by just one position.
The following season brought further progress as Sylvania began to climb the table, scoring an impressive 42 goals — the fourth-highest tally in the competition — while also placing greater faith in the club’s emerging young players. Among those to make the step up was third-generation Sylvania player Koby Harrop (Cap No. 40), continuing his family’s proud connection with the club.
The 2025 season brought a very different challenge, with Sylvania Heights locked in a fierce battle with Bonnet Bay Football Club to preserve its Premier League status. With everything on the line, the side delivered when it mattered — goals from SPL stalwart Ewan Macfarlane, a brace from Declan Woolnough and a memorable long-range effort by Cameron Tyler helped secure crucial points in Round 14 at Box Road Reserve, proving decisive in the fight to avoid relegation.
Entering 2026, the focus shifted from survival to establishing greater consistency — evident late in the season with impressive victories over strong Engadine, Marton and Gymea sides. Featuring one of the youngest playing and coaching groups in the competition, Sylvania demonstrated just how far the squad had developed.
The season ultimately produced the club’s highest-ever First Grade finish, placing seventh in the Shire Premier League. Samuel Wild also enjoyed an outstanding individual campaign, finishing among the top three goalscorers in the SPL with 13 goals.
Across five seasons, the journey has been one of persistence, development and growth. From competing alongside former internationals to providing opportunities for the next generation of Sylvania players, the club has continued to build its own identity in the Shire Premier League — and prove that Sylvania Heights belongs among the Shire’s best.
SPL Coaching Staff
Under the leadership of coaches CJ Klimis, Zac Gifford and Oliver Hawksworth, the squad has embraced a new level of professionalism, training standards and commitment. Their rigorous approach has helped establish a culture built around hard work, accountability and continual improvement — strengthening the squad as a collective while helping shape a stronger environment and identity within the playing group.
Sylvania FC SPL Cap Numbers
Highlighted names are current (active) squad members.
SPL Gallery
2027 Trial Details
Sylvania FC is ready to keep building and pushing forward with our Premier League program, and recruitment for our 2027 squad is now underway. We’re looking for committed, driven and ambitious players who want to compete in the Sutherland Shire Premier League and be part of a club with big ambitions.
Following the club’s exciting rebrand and the arrival of Under Armour as our major kit sponsor, there has never been a better time to join the Trees 🌲. We’re assembling a squad capable of competing for silverware, with opportunities available across both First Grade and Reserve Grade.
Trials will take place in November and will be invite-only. Players interested in joining Sylvania FC for the 2027 season should get in touch so a member of our coaching staff can follow up with further information.
Express Your Interest