Sport

Rivals in early for Cottam Cup

ENTRIES only opened for Granville & District Soccer Football Association’s (GDSFA) Cottam Cup a week ago but already two of their clubs and several outside clubs have signed up for the historic competition which gets underway on April 20.

Keen for the 2021 bragging rights, GDSFA’s Holroyd Rangers who won in 2019, have entered two teams, with last year’s runner up Rydalmere FC also entering along with the 2020 winner Ponds FC from the Blacktown Football Association.
GDSFA Football Operations Manager Rosanna Lentini said the Cup was typically a 32-team competition, with 16 GDSFA clubs competing and 16 clubs from further afield.
“There is another Blacktown Association club that has already entered as well as Hills Hawks from North West Sydney Football Association,” she said.
“This early interest in the Cup is fantastic and should result in an exciting competition for our local clubs and those coming from further afield.
“Last year, the Cup got underway and then we had to postpone because of Covid but the teams still came back at the end of the mini season and we completed the Cup final in November.
“This year hopefully we will be on track to run the Cup from April to July.”
Established in 1907 and known as the oldest Football Knock-Out competition in Australia, the Cottam Cup Grand Final will be hosted at the iconic Melita Stadium and will be live-streamed.
The Cup is named after Private John William Cottam, a champion striker from the powerhouse Granville Magpies team who died in France in 1917 serving his country.
With entries closing on April 2, teams can register at granvillesoccer.com.au or call Rosanna on 0436 481 296.