FOOTBALL West have heralded in a new era of women’s football and revealed the eight teams who will contest the inaugural National Premier League WA.
The competition will become Football West’s flagship competition for female football when it begins next year, taking over from the Women’s Premier League.
Balcatta, Curtin University, Fremantle City, Murdoch University Melville, Northern Redbacks, Perth and Subiaco will make up the top flight, alongside Football West’s National Training Centre team, made up of local players in the Football Federation Australia development program.
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READ NOWHowever, there was no room for Queens Park, despite the Cannington-based side winning the women’s Premier League night series and top four cup last season.
Football West CEO James Curtis said the league would aim to develop frameworks to support the growth of female football and establish targeted initiatives for female coaches, players and referees.
“A focus of our Female Football Plan was to ensure that there were strong pathways for younger players coming through in the right club environment with the support required and this competition will provide that opportunity.”
His thoughts were echoed by Football West’s Head of Development Jamie Harnwell, who said the competition would have a range of benefits across the board.
“As a state we need to ensure that we have the best possible structures to support our talented players development, on and off the pitch, and this competition is another strong step forward,” he said.
The Women’s State League will continue and underpin the NPLWA, with competing teams to be finalised soon.