By Kab To

The District of Origin is back, and it all starts with the mountains and the city facing off at Mountain Ash Arena. For the occasion Mountain District Corespondent Kab To looks at the history of football in the mountains district.

The Mountains where first introduced in the first District of Origin season as a way to get fans acknowledging the football revenue in the Mountains District before the introduction of the Cockatoos football club, in 2023. The first match was played between the Mountains and the Bushland at the currently under construction Eucalyptus Arena. The tv audience was large, and the attendance then reckoned a sold out Eucalyptus Arena. It was the second most popular District of Origin match, after the thriller between the Forest and the City.

The Cockatoos where a different story, after they played in the 2023 season. This was many due to the fact that the majority of Mountains a-grade stars where aged, and played for a different club. The cockatoos list at that point, was full of under developed 19 and 20 year olds. They then sacked their development coach, and received a fantastic new one. Two years on, they win the premiership.

In the off-season of 2023, Eucalyptus Arena had a new grandstand built. In 2024 the attendance trickled upwards. But, in 2025 the attendance skyrocketed with many sold out matches. In this off-season Eucalyptus Arena is receiving a major upgrade, with triple the seating being built and a new train station for the introduction of a second mountains district team, the Koalas. This upgrade was meant to be completed by now, but due to severe protests, it has been delayed. This meant the first District of Origin match had to be moved.

Luckily, the Koalas training venue had to be upgraded, midway through the 2025 season. Mountain Ash Arena, home of the olympic games BMX event, is primed for its first ever FCFL style match. Much smaller, with a bowl shaped stands and a closing roof, the new like venue is slick sight painted all black with the distinctive green gum leaves painted on the sides. The tour kicks off here.

Football has evolved significantly in the Mountains District, from being disregarded to having two teams, two venues and the reigning premiers.

Tomorrow, Tom Shankè delivers a profile of footy in the heart of it all: The City District.