2025 League One Women’s Season Review
The Football NSW League One Women’s competition has finished up for another year and it was a season filled with drama, fantastic football and excitement across all 13 teams which competed in 2025.
Let’s take it from the top, Hills United FC were the dominant side across the League One Women’s competition this season. They won a historic Premiership and Championship double including a 1-0 Grand Final win against SD Raiders FC which has allowed them to be eligible for promotion to NPL Women’s NSW competition in 2026.
They only lost twice all season alongside two draws saw them sew up the title after a mid-week frenetic 4-2 win against Central Coast Mariners FC. It was an achievement four years in the making for coach Alan Tasses and his Hills United FC side.
Defence was the key component for Hills United FC led by Captain Aisling Davidson and Nicola Simmons conceded 12 goals all campaign which allowed their attacking arsenal upfront of Isabella Sciberras, Gemma Woolley, Jess Wootton and Elin Rosenberg Cemazar shine.
Finishing second this season, SD Raiders FC had another stellar campaign which saw them as beaten Grand Finalists but there is plenty to enjoy for a side that has rebuilt itself. They were one of the few sides to beat Hills United FC, 3-2 in a barnburner back in Round 18.
SD Raiders FC had plenty of key performers including in strikers Abigail Boag and Taiana Almeida while custodian Natasha Pentecost and defender Jessica Neville helped them concede 16 goals all season.
One of the moments of the season was their 120th minute semi-final winner against Central Coast Mariners FC which capped off a season which will still live long in the memories for SD Raiders FC.
Central Coast Mariners FC marked their season with a return to the finals and unearthed more young talent which helped them ride the wave to third spot on the ladder. Dynamic duo Peyton Scollay and Claire Denning combined for 23 goals in the young side.
Coach Greg Hartge did a great job nurturing the young squad who started the season slow but picked up their momentum in the second half of the season to return to the finals despite an everchanging squad list.
Next up is our last top four side, Marconi Stallions FC. It was a resurgent season for the Stallions which saw them make a return to finals football, going down to eventual Champions, Hills United FC, 2-1 in the semi-finals.
Headlining their rise was goal scorer Tsoler Nazarian who bagged 10 goals alongside the 8 from Pene Bonovas to guide the side forward while Isabella Sollecito was a rock between the sticks for the club.
The Stallions enjoyed a few epic encounters including a 4-2 comeback win against South Coast Flame FC and a dramatic 1-1 draw against St George FC back in Round 15 which underlined their grit this season.
St George FC aren’t a side who usually miss out on the big occasions so finishing fifth might sting for the historic club but they do have the Golden Boot in their ranks. Jordan Baker took out the award with 29 goals this season including strikes of varieties.
The Saints had an up and down campaign which was ultimately cruelled by the eight draws they had this season alongside a long injury list. They were in the fight until the final round after a strong win against South Coast Flame FC but couldn’t find a way past Hills United FC in their last game.
South Coast Flame FC will be disappointed not to make the finals after being in the box seat for a majority of the campaign. They had recruited well with Abbie Crapp, Bessie Riethmuller and Ashleigh Long enjoying fruitful first seasons.
Their highlight was a stunning 3-2 comeback in front of the cameras back in Round 16 against Bankstown City Lions FC which included a goal of the season contender from Molly Lawless in the 90th minute. The Flame will lick their wounds and push forward again in 2026 looking to ignite another finals charge.
For Bankstown City Lions FC, finishing seventh with their young squad was an achievement in itself after the second season of Ante Covic’s leadership. Chelsea Greguric and Stephanie Ambrose led the way for the youthful side while Krystallia Kallidakis shined upfront late in the season.
The Lions were another side that showed on their day they could challenge anyone in the League One Women’s competition. Lucy Coxsedge popped up with a few important goals including a late winner against Blacktown Spartans FC.
It was campaign of two halves for Sutherland Strikers FC. They started slowly with their youth side but the injection of experience in the form of Kirsty Fenton and Lucy Johnson helped them finish in eighth on the ladder.
Adding former Raven Kimberley Davey added further defensive steel to the side which also had quality up front including Keira Moukatas, Grace Considine and the McParland sisters in a side which held Hills United FC to a 1-1 draw late in the season.
Finishing ninth is a wonderful achievement for an Inter Lions FC side in their first season under new coach John Di Biase. They had some tough results but their work ethic shone through including a knack for Hannah Charak to score in front of the FNSW cameras.
They had a solid base with Zoe Katsionis and Isabella Romarate King which shows that things are headed in the right direction for Inter Lions FC headed into 2026 and continuing their upward momentum.
Next, Camden Tigers FC enjoyed their best finish to a League One Women’s season landing in 10th spot on the ladder. The south-west is building on their work each season and were a tough side to break down in 2025.
There are plenty of things to look forward for the Tigers with the form of Chantelle Barnard, Maya Miller and Charlotte O’Flynn who had crucial goals for the side leading them three wins for the season combined with the experience of Ashlee Taff and Deana Caronna to lead them forward.
Blacktown Spartans FC had a rough first season in the League One Women’s competition, overhauling their whole side and started to find rhythm late. They did enjoy some success in the Sapphire Cup beating Marconi Stallions FC 4-3 on penalties in the opening round.
Back to the league, Spartans did enjoy derby delight against local neighbours, a rare bright spot in a season where they finished 11th. New signing in 2025 Lili Rosandic led the side well and delivered some wicked set pieces to stand out for the Spartans.
Finishing in 12th on the ladder was Blacktown City FC who were another team that enjoyed positive moments across the 2025 campaign including a pulsating 2-2 draw against Bankstown City Lions FC in Round 8.
Rhea D’Mello was a bright spot making some lung busting contributions forward and finding the back of the net. Zoe Zaczek is an always dependable option and Layla Hamdan broke through late in the season with a few goals.
Last but certainly not least, Nepean FC round off this season review. They were another young side that had a tough season but did get to enjoy the winning feeling after beating Camden Tigers FC late in the season.
Nepean FC were one of the bright spots for the League One Women’s competition in the Sapphire Cup, progressing to Round 4 before they were knocked out by Western Sydney Wanderers. That is something that coach Josh Jacka can hang their hat on for next season.
Overall, the League One Women’s showed that the growth in women’s football continues every season and I look forward to another massive season in 2026 with more thrills, spills and goals to enjoy.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
