From 2026, Yakka Sport will be proudly supporting the Eastern Suburbs Academy League (ESAL) – a dedicated competition for academy teams in Sydney’s east, giving boys and girls aged roughly 5–9 a fun, competitive and well-organised football experience across the year.
For families, it means more quality football in a safe, structured environment.
For academies and clubs, it means a professionally run league every term.
For students and young professionals, it means real experience in sport operations through Yakka Sport.
What Is the Eastern Suburbs Academy League?
The Eastern Suburbs Academy League is an academy-only football competition hosted at Rowland Park, Daceyville, with matches played on Saturday afternoons between 1:30pm and 5:00pm. Academy League
Teams are made up of 6–10 players, and there are competitions for age groups starting from 5 to 8 years old, with all-girls teams often playing up an age group to keep the games appropriately challenging.
Across the year, ESAL runs structured seasons and divisions – from Premier League and Championship to League 1, 2 and 3 – with CUP and PLATE finals so that teams are graded into the right level and have something to play for right to the end of the season.
Coaches and academies appreciate that:
- Teams are graded on ability to create balanced divisions
- It’s academy-based only, ensuring a high standard of coaching and development
- It runs term by term on Saturdays in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, making it easy to plan around training and school.
The league is led by experienced football educators, including UEFA-licensed coaching staff, with a strong focus on development, fun and respect.
How Yakka Sport Will Support ESAL in 2026
From next year, Yakka Sport will be working alongside the Eastern Suburbs Academy League all season, helping to make matchdays smoother and more professional by providing:
- Referees
- Assistant Field Managers
These roles will be coordinated through the Yakka Sport Jobs app and supported by students and graduates from partner universities such as ACPE, GIS (Global Institute of Sport) and Torrens University Australia, as well as other sport-related institutions.
Our aim is to:
- Ensure consistent, trained referees on every pitch
- Support field operations – from team check-in and pitch setup to results recording and match flow
- Create a clear pathway for students who want hands-on experience in sport management, coaching and event operations
Pathways for Students and Young Professionals
If you’re studying sport, exercise science, coaching, sport management, teaching or event management, this partnership is designed with you in mind.
Through Yakka Sport x Eastern Suburbs Academy League you can:
- Referee junior academy games and gain confidence in decision-making and communication
- Work as an Assistant Field Manager, helping with scheduling, field setup, team coordination and match-day logistics
- Build a CV with real, local experience in grassroots football
- Connect with academies, coaches and coordinators already working in the Sydney football scene
Students from ACPE, GIS and Torrens will be encouraged to use these roles as part of their practical experience, placements or volunteer hours, depending on their course requirements.
How It Works With Yakka Sport
For students & volunteers
- Download the Yakka Sport app on iOS or Android.
- Create your profile and select your interests (Refereeing, Field Operations, Coaching Support).
- Look out for roles tagged “Eastern Suburbs Academy League / Rowland Park”.
- Apply for shifts that match your location and availability.
You’ll receive support from the ESAL team around expectations, code of conduct and (where relevant) training or mentoring.
For Academies & Clubs
If you’re running an academy in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs (or nearby) and want your teams in a high-quality league:
- Visit www.academyleague.com.au to learn more about the competition and to register your interest and nominate teams (6–10 players per team, age groups from U5–U8 boys or U9 girls).
- Plan your squads term-by-term knowing that game days are Saturday afternoons at Rowland Park, Daceyville.
If you’d like support with referees and field-management staff through Yakka Sport, or want to talk about a broader partnership:
Email us at sport@yakkalabour.com with:
- Your academy or club name
- Age groups you’re entering into ESAL
- Rough number of matches and any specific needs (e.g. female refs, bilingual staff, coaching-pathway roles)
We’ll work with you and the Eastern Suburbs Academy League organisers to help ensure your teams enjoy a smooth, well-run competition.
Why Yakka Sport Is Getting Involved
At Yakka Sport, our mission is to connect sport professionals, students and grassroots organisations in a way that benefits everyone:
- Young players get structured, enjoyable competition in a safe, positive environment
- Academies and clubs get support with match-day operations so coaches can focus on player development
- Students and young professionals get real-world experience that builds careers in sport
Supporting the Eastern Suburbs Academy League is a natural fit: a local, academy-focused competition with development at its core, and a community that cares deeply about giving kids the best possible football experience.
Final Call to Action
- Academies & Clubs:
Start planning your 2026 ESAL teams and secure your spot at Rowland Park via www.academyleague.com.au. - Students & Volunteers:
Keen to referee, support field operations or get into sport event management?
Download the Yakka Sport app and email sport@yakkalabour.com with a brief intro and your interests.
We’re excited to roll out this partnership in 2026 and to help make every ESAL matchday a little more organised, more professional and more enjoyable – for players, parents, coaches and the wider football community in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
