Football NSW League One Women’s Season 2022 Preview
New name, new friends but still the same exciting football to come this Football NSW League One Women’s season.
Sixteen teams will do battle across 30 rounds to see who will be crowned the Premiers and then of course go in the running for claiming the Championship.
Five new names enter the league with Blacktown City FC, Camden Tigers, Hills United, Mt Druitt Town Rangers and South Coast Flame FC all set to join the party alongside the usual suspects in this long, winding journey.
Northbridge Bulls FC
Let’s start at the top shall we. Northbridge Bulls have been the standard bearers for the Football NSW League One Womens competition in the last two shortened years. The Bulls will be under new stewardship with former Illawarra Stingrays coach Bruce Tilt with a mostly settled squad which has plundered goals for fun.
Sharpshooter and former Golden Boot winner Evelyn Chronis will miss the first half of the season due to an off-season surgery alongside Amy Altman. The Bulls have added some experience in Tamires Souza from APIA’s reserve grade side. Northbridge still have plenty of firepower to be right in the mix again in 2022.
When you have the likes of quality footballers like Hannah Beard, Rita Boateng, Trudy Burke, Caitlin Campbell, Kiara Farquhar and Jessica Seaman on your books, one things for certain, expect good football, goals and points from the ladies north of the bridge.
Squad: Amy Altman, Hannah Beard, Rita Boateng, Siahn Bozanic, Trudy Burke, Caitlin Campbell, Evelyn Chronis, Tessa Clout, Erica Di Sciascio, Kiara Farquhar, Alanna Fisher, Elizabeth Grey, Carlie Ikonomou, Rochelle Johnson, Hannah Macri, Sara Piriz, Jessica Seaman, Tamires Souza, Sarah Blake, Lara Coward, Poppy Davison, Olivia de Pourbaix, Cate Gyzen, Aurelia Haynes, Melanie Hirunsook, Keira Jones, Danielle Keller, Isabella King, Angelina Manos, Leila Martin, Isabel McBride, Brooklyn Meredith, Sasha O’Rourke, Ava Papangelis, Keely Segavcic, Poppi Spencer, Jessica Talbot
Blacktown City FC
As Paul Kelly sang “from little things, big things grow” and that is the theme that comes from Blacktown City FC as they enter the unknown – Football NSW League One Womens. Talking to Blacktown City legend Mark Crittenden, he reinforced it is a three-year plan for the Western Sydney side who are a storied club in men’s football and look to become the same on the women’s side.
Entering a new league is like learning how to make gravy from scratch, so Blacktown City FC got themselves an experienced hand in David O’Keefe to lead the side. O’Keefe has been a fixture across the Football NSW leagues and he has assembled a squad full of youth with an average age of 20 to march onto Blacktown City Sports Centre set to make an instant impact.
The likes of players such as Yasmin Aloisio, Ashleigh Bax, Cyrena Bouris, Rachel Chalhoub, Anna Ivanovic and Lexy Thorpe to name a few will be ones to watch out for.
Squad: Yasmin Aloisio, Ashleigh Bax, Cyrena Bouris, Rachel Chalhoub, Alara Inal, Anna Ivanovic, Jinneecka Klenka, Kiara Rochaix, Lexy Thorpe, Caitlin Abbass, Nicola Ciocca, Carla De Jesus, Lucia Franulovic, Simarpreet Gill, Jessica Harkin, Claira Jovanovski, Aaliyah Kennedy, Miranda Payens, Kaylie Shannon, Kaitlyn Smith, Katherine Spooner-Smith, Claire Szymoniczek, Caitlyn Thatcher
Camden Tigers FC
Now, we move onto the new blood. First cab off the rank is the Camden Tigers. The south-west Sydney side are ready to roar into their inaugural campaign with a youthful squad filled with local juniors ready to impress the league. Troy Witten will be at the helm as coach alongside his role as Technical Director who has plenty of experience in women’s football and is the current NSWCCC Open Womens coach.
Whilst the average age of the squad hovers around 20, Witton has supplemented them with some experienced heads to help steer the side around. Experienced campaigners Kristy Rohrer and Ashlee Taff form the spine of the team whilst Sophia Pacheco, Charlotte Flynn and Jess Smith will look towards having a big year in what shapes up to be an exciting first campaign for the Tigers.
Squad: Charlotte O’Flynn, Melissah Parlato, Kristy Rohrer, Aleesha Santos, Ava Ashburner, Katelyn Biffin, Thalia Caruana, Merryn Clarke, Jade Constance, Jessica Forman, Samantha, Galea, Aaliyah Gallagher, Elika Halim, Sienna Hart, Indiana Hernandez, Felicity Hutchinson, Maddison Jones, Emilia Michalak, Bianca Noble, Aleksia Ostojic, Sophia Pacheco, Jenaya Sivell, Ashlee Taff, Montanna Taff, Emily Tait, Charlotte Taylor, Eve Wilson, Charlotte Wilson, Alexandria Witton
Hills United FC
Next up is ambitious side Hills United FC. Another of the fab five to join the Football NSW League One Womens competition have struck an early blow picking up former Nepean FC coach Alan Tasses to captain the ship for the ambitious club. Tasses has a three-year deal and is known to build his side on being tough to break down shown by Nepean FC’s superb results in recent seasons.
Speaking of that defence, Tasses has built Hills United FC from the back to give them a rock-solid foundation to build from. Goalkeeper Sarah Easthope and club captain Desiree Galea are two great pieces to start with alongside goal machine Stefanie Trovato making her way from Nepean FC. Her partnership with the stylish Annie Halls and new central midfielder Aisling Davidson will be key to some early success for the Hills United FC side.
Caitlin Bass, Bianca Galayini, Isabella Sciberras and the talents of Alix Roberts will also be players to watch out for from the Hills.
Squad: Caitlin Bass ,Ellen Berios, Bridget Brien, Tayla Chaplin, Aisling Davidson, Sarah Easthope, Bianca Galayini, Desiree Galea, Annie Halls, Emma Jackson, Alix Roberts, Leah Tallon ,Chantelle Trovato, Stefanie Trovato, Cassandra Wheeler, Emma Wholohan, Portia Berios, Helena Berridge, Tayla Davie, Maddison Edmonds, Lara Granelli, Tamara Grieves, Kyla Grosse, Janie Hansen, Brooke Hastie, Imogen Lane, Abbir Malas, Lola Parsons Burns, Elyssa Pearce, Isabella Sciberras, Jaimee Turner, Liana Vella, Molly Warren, Zoe Wilson, Harmony Woolford
Mount Druitt Town Rangers FC
For Mount Druitt Town Rangers it is more a welcome back than welcome to the club as the club did participate in Football NSW competitions a few seasons back. They have recruited a good mix of players to help keep them competitive in their first year back at this level with coach Neil Ross realistic about building a platform for the side for future years.
Headlining the squad is former NPL NSW Womens player Bree Webb who will take the armband for the Rangers this season. The twin strike duo of Maddie Fernando and Angel Lynch hope to lead from the front and have the net bulging this season. Mt Druitt Town Rangers might surprise a few and show why they belong in the competition after their time away.
Squad: Grace Chambers, Jasmine Crouch, Veronica Dimo, Madeline Fernando, Kayla Gallagher, Tayla Garifalakis, Christine Granero, Emma Ingerson, Angelique Lynch, Alexandra Morgan, Holly Pender, Hannah Plaatjes, Paris Staal, Vanessa Walder, Breony Webb, Isabella Williams, Delta Garifalakis, Rosa Ienna, Alison Lindeberg, Ashleigh Vanderburg
South Coast Flame FC
Last but not least out of the new crew, South Coast Flame are ready to take their first steps into the Football NSW League One Womens competition. The Flame have been a regular fixture of the Girls Conference League since they were founded in 2017 and spent last season in the local Illawarra League which coach Daniel Naumovski hopes will help them start quickly in their inaugural season.
Naumovski has sprinkled the side with some key players who know the Football NSW League One Womens competition in Alexis Malizis and Rachelle Wang alongside talented youngster Piper Cowan that gives them a solid structure to attack the competition from their first game and make it a tough trip down to the South Coast.
You also have footballers such as Ruby Blanch, Jessica Cruickshank and Emilia Skopal that will want to make their mark in such a competitive squad this year.
Squad: Ruby Blanch, Piper Cowen, Jessica Cruickshank, Ebony Freeman, Monique Koloski, Brooke Love, Libby Loveday, Alexis Malizis, Bethany Nielsen, Charlotte Palmisano, Lisa Prior, Caitlin Russell, Emilia Skopal, Darby Walsh, Rachelle Wang, Sariah Wilson, Hazel Atkins, Jessica Bermudez, Isabella Coppola, Hayley Cowie, Imogen Dos Santos, Kate Gorham, Bethany Horton, Sienna Humphrey, Emily Kostovski, Amelia Mastroianni, Kellie McIntyre, Ava Parry, Mia Riza, Tahlia Sharrock, Caley Tallon-Henniker
Gladesville Ravens FC
Former Champions Gladesville Ravens hope to soar back into finals football in 2022 after a lean year following their upset of APIA Leichhardt FC in 2020 to lift the Cup. The Ravens will have the dynamic coaching duo of Claude De Francesco and Andrew Galbraith and have refreshed the squad to achieve their goals in the expanded competition.
Gladesville Ravens have retained some of their core in club captain Zoe Zaczek alongside Japanese star Keiko Tanaka and set piece specialist in Georgia Vlangos. The big addition for the Ravens is the APIA pair in ace striker Ash Palombi who scored for fun last time she featured in this competition and livewire Sofia Merkoureas who are joined by Gemma Woolley in an exciting looking Ravens side ready for business.
Look out for Eleanor Lidbetter and Teagan Long who have had good preseason campaigns.
Squad: Jennifer Bennett, Lara Brewis, Taliah Castillo, Kimberley Davey, Astreia Denby, Elizabeth Gilbane, Zoe Gomez, Eloise Hansen, Isabelle Hatton, Eleanor Lidbetter, Teagan Long, Sofia Merkoureas, Ashleigh Palombi, Romina Parraguirre, Anja Seeto, Ashleigh Stevens, Keiko Tanaka, Georgia Vlangos, Gemma Woolley, Zoe Zaczek, Maya Abidin, Tiana Anderson, Lucy Bell, Maya Braun, Taliah Castillo, Nyssa Castillo, Eliza Coleman, Luca Davine, Lillian Dummett, Jade French, Amy Harkin, Harriet Johnson, Amelie Milroy, Maggie O’Reilly, Natalie Sproule, Holly Young
SD Raiders FC
One of the heavyweight sides in the competition, SD Raiders FC showed in both shortened seasons they can trade blows with any team in the Football NSW League One Womens competition. One reason they have been successful is their rock between the sticks in custodian Natasha Pentecost, a long-standing member of the SD Raiders line-up.
SD Raiders FC have a great history of bringing through youth from their ranks and they will continue to give chances to those younger players like recent Western Sydney Wanderers signing Ella Abdul Massih who lit up the competition last year.
It also helps to have current W-League Wanderers coach Catherine Cannuli, a cult hero at SD Raiders, close by watching the talents and successes the club pushes through.
Also, Ernie Smith Reserve has been a fortress for the side and SD Raiders FC hope it remains that throughout 2022 in getting them a coveted finals finish.
Milica Aleksic, Trudy Camelleri, Sarah Mandile, Caitlin Britton and Elana Topalidis are just some footballers that are keen to shine with the Raiders this year.
Squad: Milica Aleksic, Jemma Brakell, Trudy Camelleri, Isabella Coleman, Kiara Coscia, Chloe Doan, Sarah Mandile, Jessica Neville, Natasha Pentecost, Erin Phelan, Rojin Polat, Amanda Radmilo, Mikala Tucker, Alexandra Vousden, Abigail Boag, Jemma Brakell, Caitlin Britton, Talia Di Tommaso, Chloe Hain, Taylah Hufton, Layne Knight, Lotus Lopez, Alison Macaulay, Emily Pahor, Jayla Silbery, Elana Topalidis, Tahlia Voskanian
Nepean FC
Nepean FC are a consistent contender in the Football NSW League One Womens competition and they aim to keep that train chugging along with a new conductor, former Ravens Championship winning coach, Albert Di Sciascio. Di Sciascio is dealing with an almost new squad and is confident in them being competitive all season.
To help that structure, he has brought some proven commodities in the Football NSW League One Women’s to give the side the push needed to get the ball rolling. Emily Diaz is always a threat in front of goal and her link up with Annalise Schiraldi and Kasia Wojtowicz makes them a deadly duo set to fire up Cook Park in 2022.
You can also throw in Sophie Williams, Annabel Femia, Ellen Pilkington and Natalia Giannakos to the mix of Nepean FC stars set to shine.
Squad: Bianca Dobson, Annabel Forbes, Hannah Gestier, Natalia Giannakos, Ella Goodwin, Hannah Haberman, Catriona Haberman, Dione King, Kiara Marr, Jamaica Marshall, Gemma Morgan, Brooke Pepper, Jade Pond, Kristen Prior, Annalise Schiraldi, Santina Wang, Jordan Weizman, Cassidy White, Anjelica Williams, Kasia Wojtowicz, Liliana Alba, Keira Anzellotti, Kaydi Christie, Holly Dalrymple, Annabel Femia, Megan Lyne, Ellen Pilkington, Jessica Robinson, Aleyna Tufanoglu, Sophie Williams
Central Coast Mariners FC
Going into this season, it is all about growth for the Central Coast Mariners. The ambitious side are looking to keep their program moving forward as they push towards getting a W-League license and have tasked Peter Preston the opportunity to turn this dream into a reality.
The Mariners continue their history of bringing through their youth with a plethora of the former Under 17’s side graduating through to the senior squad which gives them a nice local ‘Coastie’ flavour. These blazing young guns will be under the guidance of new captain Kaitlin Murphy who has been a dependable option for the Mariners in recent seasons.
One player that needs no introduction is one the club’s longest serving stalwarts in Gabrielle Blanch. The experienced footballer will be aided by the likes of Indianna Asimus, Kiah Carmody, Jordyn Drysdale, Rachel Glendenning and Elizabeth Shorter looking to make a splash in the League One Women’s competition.
Squad: Indianna Asimus, Gabrielle Blanch, Kasey Boelhouwer, Kiah Carmody, Teagan Douglas, Jordyn Drysdale, Rachel Glendenning, Rhiannon Hines, Eloise Jones, Kaitlin Murphy, Sophie Nenadovic, Kyara O’Brien, Leah O’Hagan, Candice Phelan, Elizabeth Shorter, Chloe Smith, Melissa Taft, Indianna Auddino, Isabella De Meyer, Amber Ford, Emily Garrett, Stephanie Hansen, Grace Heinemann, Annabelle King, Starlie Leonard, Mia Mcfarlane, Skye Parkes, Rhanni Plummer, Lisa Schinckel, Trinity Smith, Abbey Van Gemert
Marconi Stallions FC
One of the heavyweight sides in the Football NSW League One Womens competition, Marconi Stallions want to build on their Grand Final appearance in 2020 and hopefully fight for promotion in 2022. There is plenty of talent in the Stallions ranks and they will hope to gallop out of the gates and push further towards their goals and put the famous Marconi Stallions back into NSW’s top tier Women’s competition.
With players such as Tania Baban, Ceyda Cambaz, Renee Krstanovska, Hannah Voloder, Natasha Aitken, Kirilee Cook and Samantha Huynh on their roster, the club will pushing very hard for some silverware this year.
Squad: Carla Abou-Haidar, Natasha Aitken, Tania Baban, Montana Bolzan, Daniela Brekic, Ceyda Cambaz, Kirilee Cook, Lauren Featherstone, Samantha Huynh, Renee Krstanovska, Christine Kulassarian, Candace Sciberras, Hannah Voloder, Emma Voloder, Amy Bayliss, Amilie Constable, Louise Dal Bon, Charlotte Finnerty, Lucy Fuccenecco, Mikayla Fuller, Sienna Jackson, Melina Manna, Amie Mastop, Alessia Perre, Ella Sievwright, Isabella Sollecito, Sofia Sollecito, Talie Walton
Inter Lions FC
It’s been a tough few years for storied club Inter Lions who hope 2022 can ascend the club back to hopefully fighting for a finals spot.
Coach Michael Cunningham has tried to re-energize the side and hopefully turn the Lions back into main contenders soon.
The club has managed to secure some decent names set to spearhead the squad for more success in 2022.
Headlining that is the signings of former Manly United stars Chloe O’Brien and Jess Wootton. O’Brien especially has impressed in pre-season with her work ethic and football knowledge will help the Lions roar into hopefully a more prominent position.
Belinda Anderson-Sharp, Brittany Duggan, Zoe Katsionis, Natalie Marchese, Andrea Lekkas and Annalija Drazenovic will also be Inter stars to look out for.
Squad: Belinda Anderson-Sharp, Rebecca Dennis, Bella Donaldson, Brittany Duggan, Amelia Griffin, Sofia Issa, Zoe Katsionis, Analise Limnios, Natalie Marchese, Lara Mascaro, Chloe O’Brien, Natalie Pajor, Marissa Papoulidis, Bryany Parker, Bojana Poletanovic, Ashley Purcell, Bethany Rodriguez, Tiarne Schuman, Jenna Smith, Caitlin Webster, Jess Wootton, Annabelle Banfield, Alyssa Broughton, Sienna Broughton, Victoria Coolentianos, Alessia Dal Pane, Annalija Drazenovic, Andrea Lekkas, Ashley Limnios, Sofia Massaro, Katerina Morsello, Isabella Obuzome, Emma Swift, Lauren Wickremeratne
Sutherland Shire FA
Last year was a rebuilding year for Sutherland Shire FA after their success in recent seasons and they are another side which has kept the core of the side from last year.
Captain Genevieve Nisbet leads another youthful side which looks to improve each week and remain a tough outfit for teams taking on the Shire’s best.
Sutherland Shire FA will be coached by the tag team of Jon Long and John O’Shea. The duo is enthusiastic about the upcoming season with the youth coming through the Sutherland Shire FA season ready to make the step up to League One Women’s level.
Apart from Nisbet the likes of Isabella Georgievski, Summer Dann, Ana Filipa Pires and Violet Keelan will be hoping to ball out at the Shire this year.
Squad: Lacie Bowling, Ariane Brown, Janan Codmani, Summer Dann, Christina Dendrinos, Isabella Georgievski, Zoe Hart, Lily Hart, Sienna Hillier, Violet Keelan, Jasmin Lawler, Kira Lechowicz, Genevieve Nisbet, Ana Filipa Pires, Isabella Raad, Lucy Rader, Alina Stojcevski, Jasmine Stretton, Ashlee Sutherland, Amelie Armanet, Ella Boes, Mia Boes, Ella Gair, Marnie Inglis, Jade Keegan, Eva Maddox, Corinna Medaglia, Chloe Neudegg, Chloe Richards, Tiffany Stone, Lara Wakeham, Sarah Waser, Emily Wood, Emma Woodin, Imogen Woolnough
St George FC
Last season was a breakout year for St George. So, it isn’t surprising that the Saints have retained the majority of the high-flying side that were fighting for the Premiership. Coach Mark Cupitt is also once again taking the reigns and leading the charge for promotion albeit playing out of a new home in Fraser Park.
Cupitt was delighted with the “strength in depth” that St George FC have obtained going into the new season and hopefully it will be another successful year for them. The Saints will hopefully be marching onto their next challenge which might be in the top Women’s division.
Chloe Avgoustou, Jordan Baker, Nicole Besz and Genevieve Russo will be just some of the talent flying the Saints flag proudly in 2022.
Squad: Chloe Avgoustou, Jordan Baker, Amy Bennett, Nicole Besz, Samantha Cupitt, Kate Dale, Stevie Donougher, Maddison Farmer, Bek Hutton, Alicia Lee, Jasmine Maguire, Morgan Maxwell, Jess Meads, Joanna Minas, Sarah Nachar, Melody Nelson, Lara Nicholls, Sara Pezzotta, Genevieve Russo, Zoe Yeats, Paris Alcorn, Rebecca Cousins, Abbey-Rose Cryer, Charlotte McGhee, Jaslyn Moore, Miranda Myles, Amalia Orphanides, Tara Palmer, Maiya Perdikaris, Jasmin Saunders, Lily Stark, Capri Tuffy, Kyla Vanderlaan, Emma-Jane Winston, Jasmin Zouroudis
South East Phoenix FC
South East Phoenix FC move into 2022 looking to continue their rise up the table. The regional side has brought on the experienced Norm Boardman as the TD. Boardman has been around the blocks for many years including a stint at the Western Sydney Wanderers and more recently at the Macarthur Rams.
The Phoenix are hoping that Boardman can unearth more gems down the South Coast ready to make a name for themselves in NSW’s second tier women’s competition.
Jessie Abbott, Amanda Carney, Jasmin Douglass, Jarrah Fuz, Casey Johnson and Cassandra Petkovska are just some of the Phoenix stars ready for action with Boardman at the helm.
Squad: Jessie Abbott, Kayla Arkinstall, Amanda Carney, Madison Cater, Gabrielle Dickinson, Jasmin Douglass, Camille Falshaw, Autumn Ford, Jarrah Fuz, Casey Johnson, Melanie Leedham, Monique Murray, Cassandra Petkovska, Claire Scott, Anna Simon, Anna Simon, Jasmine Tan, Jorgi Webb, Zoe Anderson, Cassie Beavan, Luella Boulton, Ella Hewson, Kirra Jackson, Abbey Jackson, Sarah Kilby, Holly Lewis, Emily Macdonell, Isabella McConville, Ella Munro, Madeleine Pedro, Josephine Rings, Ella Simon, Beth Tomlinson, Hayley White, Raquel Withers, Bronte Wright
UNSW FC
The students are ready for another term of action as UNSW FC gears up for the League One Women’s season.
UNSW FC have been known as a side who compete well against any opposition and are ready to bring that spirit into the new season. Guillermo Rubio once again takes the coaching duties.
Much like a swimming pool, it is all about the depth in the competition this season, UNSW FC like most teams know that having a consistent squad will be paramount to any success. The students had a large injury toll last season so if they can avoid that and find consistency in their results, it might be a high distinction for them in 2022.
Look out for experienced campaigner Rio Darlaston, Miranda Summersby-Mithcell, Issey Morris and Nicole Adam to fire up the team this year.
Squad: Nicole Adam, Daniella Batten, Ashley Blayney, Maria Braco, Gabrielle Burns, Tara Casserly, Hannah Charak, Cassandra Christopher, Rio Darlaston, Sarah Ferris, Michaela Finlay, Eve Hess, Lara Joffe, Grace McCormick, Issey Morris, Jesse Mullins, Sonja Murphy, Tiahna Robertson, Marcella Santos, Miranda Summersby-Mitchell, Valentina Alvarez, Chloe Barley, Yoo Jin Bell, Georgia Biniares, Ronit Goldman, Sophie Goldman, Lila Greenberg, Ashleigh Heuston-Richardson, Akala Howell, Ashleigh James, Krystallia Kallidakis, Sophia Karatasos, Emilee Rawson, Yoella Senator, Harriet Shuttleworth, Isabella Stinziani, Audrey Suckling, Chloe Valkin
*Squads subject to change and include Under 20s players
Round 1 Fixtures (20th February 2022)
Mount Druitt Town Rangers vs Central Coast Mariners – 3pm – Valentine Sports Park
Hills United FC vs Northbridge Bulls – Blacktown City Sports Centre – 3pm (Match of the Round)
Camden Tigers FC vs Inter Lions – 3pm – Ron Dine Stadium
UNSW FC vs South Coast Flame FC – 3pm – Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Shire FA vs Gladesville Ravens – 3pm – Harrie Denning Centre
Nepean FC vs St George FC – 3pm – Cook Park
SD Raiders FC vs Blacktown City FC – 4pm – Ernie Smith Reserve
Marconi Stallions vs South East Phoenix FC – 5pm – Marconi Stadium
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
