WFFA Cup 2026: Maccabi FC Caulfield Drives Victoria’s National Breakthrough
By Kevin Milstein
Victorian Walking Football Gaffer & General Manager, Maccabi FC Caulfield
The inaugural WFFA Cup at Cromer Park, NSW, was a landmark festival of Walking Football, camaraderie, and competitive spirit. Bringing together players aged 40 to 70+ from across the country, the tournament was the brainchild of Lee Pepper and the Walking Football Federation Australia (WFFA) team, strongly supported by interstate committee members in the months leading up to kick-off.
To say it was a resounding success is an understatement—and Maccabi FC Caulfield (MFCC) played a central role in driving Victoria's debut onto the national stage.
Setting the Stage at Cromer Park
The opening day on 10 October began with immense anticipation. As the first national tournament of its kind in Australia, it was uncharted territory. The early hours were spent finding our bearings, exploring the grounds, and reconnecting with old friends and former international teammates.
The warmth and camaraderie were palpable... right up until the whistle blew for the first kick-off!
The True Spirit of the Game
By the time final whistles blew on 11 October, players from opposing sides walked off the pitch not as rivals, but as firmer friends. The weekend perfectly captured the core pillars of Walking Football:
Fitness: Staying active, competitive, and healthy through the sport we love.
Community: Enjoying the connection, banter, and shared passion across state lines.
Fun: Playing hard, playing fair, and celebrating every moment on and off the pitch.
Winning on the scoreboard is always a highlight, but the genuine victory lies in the community we build every week back at our home clubs.
How Did Victoria Fare?
This tournament marked a major milestone: the first time Victoria fielded dedicated state squads at a national competition. Spearheaded by the growth of the Victorian Walking Football Friendship League (WFFL) and months of intensive state squad training, Victoria proudly entered men’s teams across three age divisions: 50s, 60s, and 70s.
On Day 1, our teams faced a true baptism by fire against seasoned interstate opposition.
But as the tournament progressed, Victorian grit shone through:
Over 70s: Battled valiantly through a tough group. While victories proved elusive, they held their own in every single match and never let a game get away from them.
Over 60s: Showed immense resilience, growing stronger with every match to finish the tournament with a hard-earned and memorable victory.
Over 50s: The standout campaign of the weekend! Delivering an outstanding performance—2 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 loss—they secured 3rd place overall and brought home the Bronze Medal.
The Maccabi FC Caulfield Engine
Behind Victoria’s landmark success was the strong presence and foundation built at Maccabi FC Caulfield.
MFCC players represented the club across all three state divisions, but nowhere was this impact more pronounced than in the medal-winning Over 50s squad. Composed almost entirely of MFCC members—many of whom train together up to three times a week at Caulfield Park—the team operated with a level of cohesion, instinct, and match fitness that set the benchmark for the state. In many ways, the Victorian 50s were virtually the Maccabi FC 50s taking on Australia.
That MFCC played such a pivotal role in the fortunes of all three Victorian teams is a testament to the club’s long-standing Walking Football program and the dedicated leadership of its Gaffer, Kevin Milstein.
Looking Ahead
Every Victorian player returned home with a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing they helped write a chapter in Australian football history. This tournament proved beyond doubt that Victorian—and Maccabi—Walking Football has arrived on the national stage.
To every player, supporter, and organizer helping us build this momentum, remember this simple truth built entirely on two-letter words:
"If it is to be, it is up to us!"
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