Futsal Premier League Open Women’s 2022 Season Preview

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The Open Women’s Futsal Premier League season is almost upon us after a long wait between seasons.

And with plenty of new faces across the competition, there is plenty to look forwards too as the competition kicks off this Saturday.

Inner West will be looking to retain their crown under new ownership while several sides look set to challenge. So buckle up as we take a look at how every squad is shaping up going into the season.

One of those challengers could well be Campbelltown City Quake who are looking well prepared going into round one. With a squad which is an exciting mix of experience and youth, they are quietly confident of a successful season ahead. Claire Gilligan, Dana Buttigieg and Logan Garard return to the club after a season away while Chantelle Maniti, Peta Trimas, Libby Morris, India Brier, and Tegan Bertolissio were all singled out as players to watch in season 2022.

It’s safe to say Dural Warriors have a score to settle on their return to the top tier. After the club tasted relegation in 2018, they bounced back convincingly winning the FPL2 with fifteen wins in their sixteen league fixtures. There have been changes to that squad however with Abbey Lemon one of the players not returning this season. Look out for Rachel Perrins, Sam Nagy, Sarah Easthope and Emma Hurley to lead this young side forward this season.

Good luck predicting this competition, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah look another strong side leading into the season. Their success may come down to how quickly they can settle as a side and create a winning mentality with plenty of new recruits coming in. Tamires Souza, Kiara Farqhuar, Gisella Pipino and Akala Howell are their retained players while nine players join George Lethbridge side for the campaign. Keep an eye on them, they could well be up there this season!

The break between seasons has seen plenty of change for Enfield All-Stars in the open women’s competition. With just two survivors from their 2019 squad in Bianca Radman and Kaitlin Kiparizov, they are outnumbered by new faces (at least when it comes to Futsal Premier League). Incomings are Amy Dahdah, Ashley Purcell, Olivia Mitchell, Mia Domine and Domenica Mitchell with Raffaele Capasso being the coach.

Can we call them defending champions? Things have changed in the Inner West club with an association with APIA Leichhardt. And as such the changes have come within the open women’s set up. Surviving the transition are keeper Courtney Halpin and youth graduate Renee Houliaras who will be joined by a lot of fresh faces in season 2022. Coming in with a lot to live up too, expect to see Inner West put up a strong showing this season.

Like a lot of clubs, Mascot Vipers have opted to focus on their youth this season to take them forward. Stephanie Augoustis, Sarah Moore and Emily Jensen have been mentioned as players to lead the team this season while they also possess plenty of young talent including the likes of Tess Quilligan, Daniella Naeimi, Emily Brewster, Riley Welsh and goalkeeper Ivana Rozman. Coached by Scott Brokenshire, can their youth steer them to a finals spot this season?

Sensing a theme here? Mountain Majik are another side who have plenty of fresh blood ready to take the court. With their more experienced players taking a season off, it’s time for the youth to shine with quite a few U17 Grand final winners from three years ago making the jump up to the Open Women’s side. While Claire Holder stands out as a good pick up approaching the season. They will be led by Jordan Guerreiro in season 2022.

Ever the fixture in the Futsal Premier League, UTS Northside enter their seventh season in the top tier looking to return to finals football. Once again, Grant Lynch will take on the coaching duties before backing up for the men’s side. In squad news, a couple of additions have come in to compliment their existing squad with Tess Olsen coming in from Dural Warriors while Caitlin Jarvie comes in backing up after playing for Manly United in the outdoor season.

Round One Fixtures:

Dural Warriors v UTS Northside Futsal Club; Saturday 17th September, 3:50pm, The Centre Dural

Inner West Futsal Club v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 17th September, 4pm, Valentine Sports Park

Mascot Vipers v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 17th September, 4:30pm, PCYC Hawkesbury

Enfield Allstars v Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club; Saturday 17th September, 5:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC

By Futsal Premier League writer Justin Smith