NPL NSW Womens 1 Season Preview 2014

The inaugural National Premier Leagues NSW Womens 1 competition kicks off this weekend. Eight teams start the competition after a long and gruelling preseason, all will be vying to become champions in one of the tightest competitions yet.

The preseason cup saw us get our first look at this seasons teams with Sydney University SFC and the Illawarra Stingrays doing battle. The Stingrays came out on top in a closely contested final, defeating University 3-1.

BLACKTOWN SPARTANS

The Blacktown Spartans had a decent season last year, finishing just outside the middle of the ladder.

David Saliba will be the man in charge of bringing the Spartans success this campaign as he sets on improving the team from last season. He takes the first grade and reserve grade reigns aving been coaching the Spartans youth teams for the past two seasons.

They had a solid start to the season, performing quite well in the preseason cup. They registered a draw away to the Stingrays and were only one victory away from a place in the cup final. The team will take this as a massive confidence booster into the upcoming season. 

The Spartans have layed themselves out a plan and they’re currently into the second year of their rebuilding faze with a young squad. Coach Saliba says that they aim to be a top four force within the next few seasons.

For this season, Saliba says that the most important thing for his side is for them to be competitive at least. To help them be competitive, the Spartans for the first time have signed two W-League players. From the Western Sydney Wanderers comes striker Jenna Kingsley who will also captain the side, as well as Alesha Clifford who will slot in the Spartans defence coming from Sydney FC.

The Spartans may not have high expectations, but competitive they most certainly will be.

ILLAWARRA STINGRAYS

The proud south-coast club, the Illawarra Stingrays, had a great season last year, falling a step short of the minor premiership and grand final winners. Being runners up on both occasions to the Marconi Stallions, the Stingrays will look to go better this season and take home some silverware.

A coaching change see’s Graham Shaw take the reigns at the Stingrays. Sunderland born Shaw has been a part of the Illawarra set up for the passed four seasons, coaching the under 16’s and assisting the reserve grade team.

Their season got off to the best possible start over the weekend as they took out the preseason cup, defeating Sydney University 3-1.

As for signings, the Stingrays managed to nab the signature of former Sydney Uni and Adelaide United player Daila Borg, as well as former Stingrays players in Rebecca Garland, Zoeie Redman and goalkeeper Elyse Finlayson who all return from breaks.

Caitlin Cooper and Erica Halloway re-signed as well as up and coming youngster Chloe Middleton. Possibly the biggest re-signing for the Stingrays would have to be the dynamic duo of the experienced Michelle Carney and explosive youngster Jordan Baker. The two have formed a fiery partnership and will be a danger to all defences around the league.

The Stingrays and Shaw have set themselves a goal of finishing in the top half of the table this season. It is obvious the ‘rays’ have some fire power and will be one of the teams gunning for the minor premiership.

NORTH WEST SYDNEY KOALAS

The North West Sydney Koalas seemed to be gunning for the minor premiership last season before an end of season blip saw them fall off the pace and finish in fourth place. In their first match of the finals series they were defeated by Sydney University and their campaign was over.

This year, Danny Abboud leads the Koalas. The Koala’s were quite impressive in their opening preseason games and were one game off the final, losing to eventual cup winners Illawarra.

With Abboud’s vast experience and the Koala’s youthful team, they may just prove to be one of the dark horses of this competition, a team that you should certainly keep an eye out for.

NORTHBRIDGE FC

Northbridge FC just missed out on finals football last season and will be looking to go one better this season.

The ‘Bridge’ didn’t have the greatest of preseason cups, losing all three of their Pool 2 matches. Nevertheless, coach Larry Bates is confident his team can make the next step from last season.

The club has kept its core from last season with Tara Andrews, and Siahn Bozanic, Hannah Bromley, Briony Fisher, Caitlin Jarvie, Teegan Courtney and Leah Giuffre all resigning.

Some interesting additions to the squad include Jasmin Courtenay and Sarah Grist, both coming from the Newcastle Jets, ex Marconi and Sydney FC goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis and USA college player Molly Boyd.

Northbridge will have to do without Bronte Bates who is suffering from a knee injury and Hannah Brewer who is away with the Matildas for the time being.

Bates’ squad is looking good and should it all come together, they may just squeeze into the top 5.

MACARTHUR RAMS

The Macarthur Rams were one game away from the grand final last season. They went down to the Illawarra Stingrays by the odd goal in a five-goal thriller down the coast.

They enter the 2014 season with a new coach, Stephen Neligan, who returns to the Rams following a stint with the Spartans last season after coaching Macarthurs reserve grade team for three years.

They have possibly recruited the best and having retained the core of last years team, they are looking like real title contenders for the coming season.

Local girls Claire Walsh, Laura Donnelly, Lauren Ralston, Steph Haim and Elisha Williams are there as well as the resigning of Renee Rollason, Kylie Ledbrook, Liz Ralston and Trudy Burke.

These formidable names are joined by Sydney FC trio Danielle Brogan, Leena Khamis and Amy Harrison, Hayley Crawford, Kate Hensman and current Newcastle Jets captain Gema Simon who have all signed. Georgia Yeoman-Dale from Canberra United has also been added to the roster.

Neligan states that himself and the club are excited by the squad assembled and that they are looking forward to the upcoming season.

The team didn’t make the preseason cup final after being comprehensively defeated by Sydney University in the first round but showed why they’ll be a force in the next two games they played. Neligan says that signs have been positive in preseason and that he feels the Rams will be very competitive this season.

MANLY UNITED FC

Manly United played an attractive brand of possession football but like neighbours Northbridge just missed out on finals football.

They’ve had a decent preseason cup and just missed out on the final after going down to the Rams 4-1. United actually took the lead in this game but a strong Macarthur outfit came back to take the three points.

Coach Chris Williams says that his major signing for the season is that of keeping his squad together from last season. They’ve added two New Zealanders to their roster, one senior international in Caitlin Campbell and a junior international in Tiffany Patterson. Anna Nakao returns to the team from an ACL injury also.

Williams kept his cards close to his chest but admitted they may sign two more players before season start.

The proud Manly coach boasted about the exceptional talent United have in their reserve team. The reserves won the double last year, taking out the minor premiership and grand final. He says the complete reserves team is extremely talented but if he had to single out any then it’d be Maddy Neville, Hayley Evans and Ella Farley, who could slot into the senior squad and do a good job.

Williams says the team looks good and that he’s happy where they are at. He says they are fit, organized and ready to take on a strong and demanding league.

Their aims for this season are to cement a top four spot but Williams admits it will be tough as the likes of Northbridge, Macarthur and Blacktown have recruited heavily.

Williams believes a strong start to the season could be the teams springboard as they look to gain momentum in the opening rounds.

MARCONI STALLIONS

Another coaching change in the league see’s championship coach Robert Pierce leave his post as the Marconi Stallions mentor. With big shoes to fill comes Matt Turvey to the Stallions helm.

Marconi took out both the minor premiership and grand final last season, with Heather Garriock leading the team to their success.

They’ve started the new season quite slow in contrast to last year, not registering a point in the preseason cup and conceding an alarming 13 goals in only three games.

Turvey will look to turn around the Stallions fortunes as they work toward defending their trophies won last season. It is already obvious that teams around them have strengthened and an improvement is imperative for them to have any success.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SFC

Sydney University had a solid season last year, making the semi finals and losing to the Macarthur Rams in the qualifying final in what proved to be a tight game for the ladies in yellow.

They’ve already stated their intent this season under the watchful eye of Luke Kelly, making the final of the preseason cup. University went down 3-1 to the Stingrays but won’t be too disheartened by the loss as they gifted two goals to the south-coast team.

Kelly has his team playing a possession-based game of football that is extremely well organized and easy on the eye. They will be a threat for the premiership this season, with Sian Mclaren in the University goal and attackers Meegan Shepherd and Erin Wilson in the team again.

-By Nikola Pozder