NPL 2 NSW Women’s 2021 Season Preview
So here we are, right back at it again. Back where we’ve always been.
The National Premier Leagues NSW Womens 2 competition kicks off this Easter Holiday weekend with 11 sides ready to rock and roll, all of which are set to fight for the coveted 2021 Premiership across 22 rounds.
Football NSW’s well admired NPL 2 NSW Women’s writer Justin Davies takes a look at how each teams fortunes will fair when the league commences on Monday 5th of April.
Central Coast Mariners FC
Central Coast Mariners train continues to chug along. Coach Dan Barrett has led his squad to four straight finals appearances and the Mariners always aim to keep their finals streak going alongside developing their local talent to keep the Mariners train on the tracks.
Barrett has always kept his side compact and hard to break down.
He has added some exciting talent to the squad to add more goals. Emily Diaz joins from Gladesville Ravens alongside Ruby Jones from New Lambton. The other signee is returnee Jordan Evans after a few seasons at Northbridge Bulls to ply her trade in attack.
Look out for the club’s living legend in Gabrielle Blanch to again assert her authority in leading from the front as the Central Coast push for silverware in 2021.
Gladesville Ravens
After their Grand Final success two seasons ago, Gladesville Ravens had their wings clipped in 2020 and failed to build on the trophy.
The Ravens have moved to make a bigger focus on their academy side and align it more across the club. The man to lead that charge is new head coach Claude De Francesco and Technical Director Stephen Bott.
To help that vision, Ravens have kept a majority of their 2019 side while promoting some of their successful U-17 players to fill out the squad.
The jewel in the Ravens nest is former Japanese youth international Keiko Tanaka. Tanaka played 12 seasons in the Nadeshiko league for Yokohama Seagulls and will be a mentor to the young side and help them soar.
Inter Lions
The only way is up for Inter Lions after finishing last in 2020. The Lions have undergone some major changes in their organisation to help kickstart the club. This is headed by new head coach and former Futsalroos star Robbie Maiorana who joins from APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Joining Maiorana as his two key cornerstones are former Macarthur Ram Natasha Aitken and Emily Smith who know the NPL 2 NSW Womens division well. It will take time for the club to rebuild itself back into a contender but there have been some positive steps already and the passion of Maiorana will help them keep moving forward.
Marconi Stallions
Last year’s Grand Finalists Marconi Stallions look to trot one step further this season and take the major prize. The Stallions have started to find their groove in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition and now plot their way back into the top grade.
Coach Andy Severin will have his troops pumped up to get going again and hopefully feature in less draws this season. The Stallions have been at the pointy end the last few seasons and will challenge fellow heavyweights Northbridge all the way.
Look out for Ceyda Cambaz to have a big year for the club.
Nepean FC
If there was a NPL 2 NSW Womens genie who granted wishes, I think Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses would only have one – “no more injuries”. Nepean’s campaign the last few years has been blighted by them and cruelled them in their chase for the top four.
Nepean FC have stuck solid with their team which have taken the field the last two seasons. Some of the younger talent has had a taste of the competition and should be ready to get Nepean FC back into the finals conversation and make Cook Park a tough place to visit again.
Northbridge Bulls FC
New name but same attitude for last year’s Champions Northbridge Bulls FC.
The Bulls have brought back much of the double winning side which went through 2020 undefeated.
Grant Lee will be in the dugout again coaching and look to build on their success and move into the top grade.
Lee has supplemented his squad with some talented additions in Michelle Brown (Northern Tigers) and Bryany Parker who returns from taking last season off while look for a big year from Caitlin Campbell, Jess Seaman and Jessie Wharepouri.
The Bulls are hoping that Hannah Brewer gets through the W-League season and take her position in the heart of defense.
SD Raiders FC
Excitement is building in the south-west of Sydney.
SD Raiders FC are ready to take on the competition in 2021 and have a new home for their women’s programme.
The amazing and new Cirillo Reserve will be the venue for their training, but games will still be out at their fortress Ernie Smith Reserve.
Leading them in their charge is new coach Andrew McFadden. The former assistant coach to Terry Gray has stepped up to the main role while Gray will take on mentor role at the club.
SD Raiders have kept their squad together and their aim is a finals finish for the season.
South East Phoenix FC
New name but same objective for South East Phoenix FC.
The furthest away team in the NPL 2 NSW Womens competition showed at times in 2020, they can upset the apple cart but now are looking to take a bigger bite out of the competition.
St George FC
The Saints are coming in 2021! St George FC has spent the last few seasons in the middle but now, have refreshed their side and aim to break into the finals picture.
Coach Mark Cuppit will take the reins of the side again and has some exciting talent at his disposal.
Taking the headlines for St George FC is the huge signing of Sutherland Shire FA’s goal machine Jordan Baker who makes the short switch down the highway. Joining her is goalkeeper Chloe Avgoustou, Brittany Christie and Morgan Maxwell.
Rounding out the squad is some talented youth as St George FC look to make their mark this season.
Sutherland Shire FA
Perennial contenders Sutherland Shire FA come into the new season looking at this one as a “regeneration” year with the core which saw them always make the top five leave and underneath is some exciting young talent which will take time to develop.
Coaches Allan Edmonson and John O’Shea will oversee the “regeneration” moving into their second season in the Sutherland Shire FA job.
Edmonson and O’Shea have furnished the young squad with some experience in Kate Anthonisz at custodian. Eden Holmes, Kyla Vanderlaan and Chelsea Hendra have all joined from Bankstown City FC with Gracie Johns coming across from the Football NSW Institute in a exciting but challenging year for the club. Pocket rocket Genevieve Nisbet will also be a player to watch out for in a big year for the player.
UNSW FC
Coming into a fresh season, UNSW FC will be looking to get some consistency into their form and push themselves high up the ladder.
Coach Guillermo Rubio will be the person tasked with getting the best out of the Students.
They showed in spurts in 2020 that they can be a tough challenge against any side, now they need to turn that into results.
Look out for Rio Darlaston who is set to have a break out season with the club.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
