John Mikita wants to find out just what went wrong before GUFC collapsed – and if lessons can be learned to prevent other community clubs from the same fate. Photo: Supplied.
The sudden collapse of Gungahlin United Football Club left families empty-handed and in the dark.
Now, community stalwart John Mikita is petitioning the Legislative Assembly to uncover the truth behind the “wall of silence” erected by GUFC and Capital Football after the club’s collapse.
“The root of this whole exercise is that it’s about community sport,” he said.
“Just because your family wasn’t involved with the club doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect you or your family somewhere further down the line.”
Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC) collapsed in October 2025 due to apparent financial mismanagement.
An ensuing liquidator’s report stated that legal action against former committee members was being considered to determine whether any offences were committed and whether families and players could recover any money.
Mr Mikita said there wasn’t enough money left for a full forensic investigation by the liquidator and he hoped a Legislative Assembly inquiry could provide some much-needed answers.
“It seems that the more people I have spoken to, the more it seems there’s more to this story than what people know,” he said.
“Families currently have nothing, and that needs to be fixed.”
Mr Mikita’s petition calls for a full inquiry into the governance, financial management and decision-making processes within GUFC, examining whether any “appropriate” oversight, monitoring and intervention occurred by Capital Football or other relevant governing bodies.
He’s the one who originally organised the meeting between GUFC’s interim board and Capital Football to try and reach a resolution.
After that meeting, there was no more information from either side.
“There was just this silence,” Mr Mikita said.
The petition also calls for a governance review of Capital Football, including its oversight of affiliated clubs, its financial monitoring and intervention processes, and the adequacy of its safeguards to ensure community football clubs remain sustainable.
“A lot of people seem to think Capital Football has a lot to answer to as well, because a lot of other clubs are also struggling … the fact is that this issue may not just be with GUFC,” Mr Mikita said.
“[And] given GUFC [received] some money from the ACT Government … I think we’re fully within our rights to make sure taxpayers’ money is being spent correctly.”
His petition is sponsored by Ginninderra Canberra Liberals MLA Peter Cain.
He said this was about getting a “clear set of facts” so people could understand exactly what happened leading up to GUFC’s demise.
“From what I’ve been told, more than $180,000 was owed to the ACT Government, and thus ACT taxpayers, despite Gungahlin apparently meeting the obligations of a supposed repayment agreement,” Mr Cain said.
“Community sport is a big part of life in Canberra. When a club like this runs into trouble, it’s reasonable to ask whether the systems around it were strong enough and what we can learn from it.”
Mr Cain felt his community deserved a full explanation, especially those who had been left out of pocket.
“Parents sign their kids up in good faith, and when something like this happens, they’re the ones left carrying the cost. That’s a big part of why people want answers,” he said.
“If an inquiry helps bring clarity and improves how community sport is supported, then it’s worth doing.”
The e-petition is open to receive signatures until 4 May.
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on Region Canberra.
