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Broadmeadow and Heidelberg players walk onto the ground for the start of the game during the FFA Cup match between Broadmeadow Magic FC and Heidelberg United FC at Magic Park on July 29, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Ken Athiu of Heidelberg contests the ball with Joshua Piddington of Broadmeadow during the FFA Cup match between Broadmeadow Magic FC and Heidelberg United FC at Magic Park on July 29, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Joshua Piddington of Broadmeadow looks dejected after losing to Heidelberg during the FFA Cup match between Broadmeadow Magic FC and Heidelberg United FC at Magic Park on July 29, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Broadmeadow supporters during the FFA Cup match between Broadmeadow Magic FC and Heidelberg United FC at Magic Park on July 29, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Travis Major of Blacktown City competes for the ball against Anthony Solagna of Metrostars SC during the FFA Cup match between Blacktown City FC and MetroStars FC at Lily's Football Centre on July 29, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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MetroStars FC players celebrate victory after the FFA Cup match between Blacktown City FC and MetroStars FC at Lily's Football Centre on July 29, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Marcus Schroen of Hume City FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the FFA Cup match between Hume City FC and Brisbane Strikers FC at ABD Stadium on July 29, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

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A general view during the FFA Cup match between Hume City FC and Brisbane Strikers FC at ABD Stadium on July 29, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

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Jake Barker-Daish of South Melbourne controls the ball during the FFA Cup match between Palm Beach and South Melbourne at Cbus Super Stadium on July 29, 2015 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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Palm Beach celebrate after winning in a penalty shoot out during the FFA Cup match between Palm Beach and South Melbourne at Cbus Super Stadium on July 29, 2015 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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Besart Berisha of the Melbourne Victory and Jehan Loke of the Balmain Tigers compete for the ball during a FFA Cup match between Balmain Tigers FC and Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

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Besart Berisha of the Melbourne Victory shoots at goal during a FFA Cup match between Balmain Tigers FC and Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

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A general view is seen during a FFA Cup match between Balmain Tigers FC and Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

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Michael Gaitatzis of Sydney Olympic celebrates after scoring a goal during the FFA Cup match between Gungahlin United FC and Sydney Olympic FC at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on August 4, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

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Brody Taylor of Edgeworth contests the ball with Jonatan Germano of Melbourne City during the FFA Cup match between Edgeworth FC and Melbourne City FC at Magic Park on August 4, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Aaron Mooy of Melbourne City (L) celebrates a goal with a team mate during the FFA Cup match between Edgeworth FC and Melbourne City FC at Magic Park on August 4, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Darcy Hall of South Hobart is challenged by Guiseppe Camera of Sydney United during the FFA Cup match between Sydney United 58 FC and South Hobart at Sydney United Sports Centre on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Theo Kofinas of Sydney United screams in pain after dislocating his shoulder during the FFA Cup match between Sydney United 58 FC and South Hobart at Sydney United Sports Centre on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Sydney United players celebrate winning a penalty shoot out during the FFA Cup match between Sydney United 58 FC and South Hobart at Sydney United Sports Centre on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Brad McDonald of Sorrento and Christopher Naumoff of Sydney contest for the ball during the FFA Cup match between Sorrento FC and Sydney FC at nib Stadium on August 5, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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Max Burgess of Sydney is congratulated by Riley Woodcock after scoring a goal during the FFA Cup match between Sorrento FC and Sydney FC at nib Stadium on August 5, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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A general view of play during the FFA Cup match between Sorrento FC and Sydney FC at nib Stadium on August 5, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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Shoheel Khan of Lions FC reacts after scoring a goal during the FFA Cup match between Croydon Kings and Lions FC on August 5, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

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Francis Soale of Perth avoids smoke on the goal during the FFA Cup match between Rockdale Suns FC and Perth SC at Ilinden Sports Centre on August 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Munoz/Getty Images)

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Toufic Alameddine of the Suns reacts after scoring during the FFA Cup match between Rockdale Suns FC and Perth SC at Ilinden Sports Centre on August 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Munoz/Getty Images)

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Paul Izzo of the Mariners lets a goal through during the FFA Cup match between Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix at Central Coast Stadium on August 11, 2015 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

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Phoenix team mates celebrate with fans after winning the FFA Cup match between Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix at Central Coast Stadium on August 11, 2015 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

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Dean Piemonte of the Cannons is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the FFA Cup match between Oakleigh Cannons FC and FNQFC Heat at Jack Edwards Reserve on August 11, 2015 in Oakleigh, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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Lampros Honos of the Cannons celebrates kicking the winning goal in the penalty shoot out during the FFA Cup match between Oakleigh Cannons FC and FNQFC Heat at Jack Edwards Reserve on August 11, 2015 in Oakleigh, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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Perth Glory players celebrate after winning in a penalty shoot out during the FFA Cup match between Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory at Magic Park, Broadmeadow on August 11, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Jerrad Tyson and Gyorgy Sandor of Perth Glory celerbrate winning in a penalty shoot outduring the FFA Cup match between Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory at Magic Park, Broadmeadow on August 11, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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Golgol Mebrahtu of the Wanderers is challenged by Jack Hingert of the Roar during the FFA Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar at Pepper Stadium on August 11, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne (L) celebrates with Daniel Alessi (R) after victory in the FFA Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar at Pepper Stadium on August 11, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Broadmeadow supporters during the FFA Cup match between Broadmeadow Magic FC and Heidelberg United FC at Magic Park on July 29, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

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A general view during the FFA Cup match between Hume City FC and Brisbane Strikers FC at ABD Stadium on July 29, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

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A general view is seen during a FFA Cup match between Balmain Tigers FC and Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval on August 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

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A general view of play during the FFA Cup match between Sorrento FC and Sydney FC at nib Stadium on August 5, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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Shoheel Khan of Lions FC reacts after scoring a goal during the FFA Cup match between Croydon Kings and Lions FC on August 5, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

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FFA Cup round of 32

Local heroes on the rise

FFA Cup round of 32

By Curtis Figon & Anthony Difederico Aug 12 2015 1:54PM

By Curtis Figon & Anthony Difederico

Aug 12 2015 1:54PM

Local heroes on the rise

Football Federation Australia supports The Clubbies – Inside Sport’s grassroots sports awards.

CLICK HERE to nominate a local sports star, volunteer or club. You’ll be putting them – and you – in the running for fantastic prizes!

As the round of 32 concluded we are now left with 16 teams in the 2015 Westfield FFA Cup. Amateurs, semi-pros and A-League stars battled it out for their place in the next round as local communities were swept away with the entertaining and thrilling action. Amateur and semi-professional players got to play in front of crowds they are not usually ever accustomed too as they were supported and heavily backed by their local fans. The cup action was also played out in Darwin for the first time as the reigning champions Adelaide United managed to sweep aside Darwin Olympic in front of a healthy crowd. The lowest ranked side in the cup took on the biggest club in the country but unfortunately for Balmain Tigers, Melbourne Victory were way too strong, but nonetheless it was an experience the boys from Balmain will never forget. The round of 32 also witnessed four games that went the distance and saw nail bitting and cruel penalty shootouts.

With seven A-League clubs left and nine member foundation clubs remaining, the round of 16 should be just as exciting as the previous round.

Just like the FFA Cup, here at Inside Sport we too support local sport within the communities of Australia. The Clubbies 2015 is a competition that finds the best local/grassroots sporting clubs in Australia, within the categories of: best club, best coach, best player, best club stalwart, best sporting education and best team. Just like in the FFA Cup there were many unsung heroes that went unnoticed, from the people at the bbqs cooking souvlaki, the crew who left work early to get the ground in tip top shape, even the under 12s coach who watched his former play slot home the winning penalty for Oakleigh Cannons, there are unrecognised legends in all grassroots sporting club across the country and it's their time to be in the spotlight.

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