Over the McDonald’s Kanga Cup 30 year history there has been thousands of football matches played across the nation’s capital and there is often no match more exciting than a final, especially a McDonald’s Kanga Cup final.

Winning the largest football tournament in the Southern Hemisphere is something only a handful of players can add to their footballing résumés, while having a trophy cabinet full of McDonald’s Kanga Cups is something only one club in the world can say they have.

That club is located in Canberra’s northern suburbs in Belconnen and wears a locally famous yellow and blue kit. Belnorth Football Club has participated in the McDonald’s Kanga Cup every year and has won an astonishing 26 Cups, 4 Kanga Shields and numerous Fair Play awards.

Belnorth Football Club President Anthony ‘Meggsie’ Goddard said he is proud of Belnorth’s achievements and hopes to continue their winning ways, with ten teams entered in 2021.

“I didn’t know we were the most successful club in Kanga but I did know that we are the only Canberra club that has always entered teams since the beginning,” Goddard said.

“For me personally I only played in the McDonald’s Kanga Cup twice but playing against the teams from elsewhere in Australia and around the world was always a great challenge & very enjoyable.

“I even fondly remember losing 27-1 to Adelaide City & claiming a moral victory as no one scored a hat trick.”

Even without a home city advantage, Adelaide City has seen great success over the years.

They may be 1,158km away from Canberra but this has not stopped them from being the most successful non-ACT club in tournament history with 10 Cups in their trophy cabinet.

Rick Petropoulos from Adelaide City said it is an honour to be the most successful interstate club.

“It is something that we hold in high regard and look to maintain the current status,” Petropoulos said.”

“Over the years we have produced players that have participated in successful McDonald’s Kanga Cup teams who have gone on and played in the NPL and A League (Stefan Mauk, Bruce Kamau, Ben Garuccio) and former NPL and A-League players, who have gone on to coach successful teams.

“Tournament football provides our players with different experiences such as body and mind management as games are condensed and more frequent.

“Opposition are generally unknown so players and coaches need to assess and adapt quickly to different playing styles.

“We look forward to another strong tournament and seeing which young players can go on and emulate the past successes.”