Round 1 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
The National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition is finally upon us this weekend with round one action kicking off on Sunday afternoon.
It has been almost six months since that enthralling Grand Final at CommBank Stadium that saw the Macarthur Rams crowned Champions, defeating APIA Leichhardt on penalties.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Manly United at Wanderers Football Park, 5pm
At Wanderers Football Park it will be a first-time appearance for the Western Sydney Wanderers as they take on Manly United.
The newly arrived team has had a solid pre-season, putting up some good performances and even defeating competition favourites APIA Leichhardt.
Anika Stajcic has been in fine form, scoring five goals in four trial games and is one to keep an eye out on.
Tom Hopley is back at United again and will be gunning for finals football this campaign.
He’ll be hoping new arrivals Lucy Richards, McKaela Schmelzer and Peyton Starner can add to a solid squad that has re-signed the likes of Nicole Simonsen, Phoebe Gilbane, Nicole Stuart, Emily Minett and Tegan Biasi.
This one will no doubt be intriguing and could go either way.
Newcastle Jets v Northern Tigers at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, 5pm
The Newcastle Jets open up their campaign at home on Sunday afternoon to the Northern Tigers.
Last season was the Jets’ best campaign and they will look to definitely build on that this campaign.
They have a squad that has had experience in the top tier for a number of years now and will be able to use that to perhaps surprise the Tigers.
After lifting the Sapphire Cup in 2024, Chris Wood will be keen to add more silverware to the Tigers’ cabinet moving forward.
Getting a win in the first game of the season will be an important step forward and another block to build on.
Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney University at Macedonia Park, 5pm
Down the south coast, the Illawarra Stingrays open their campaign against Sydney University at Macedonia Park.
Making the finals in 2024, the Illawarra Stingrays will be keen to make it consecutive finals appearances and potentially go one step further.
The experience of Caitlin Cooper will be important for the Stingrays to have another solid start to the season, her leadership from the back is imperative for the football club.
Major personnel changes at Sydney University this season and Oz Rowley will have a tough job at the helm blooding the next group of young superstars.
Jamie Beaufils will captain the team in 2025, stepping into the shoes of Talia Kapetanellis who departed.
UNSW v NWS Spirit at The Village Green, 5pm
At The Village Green, UNSW will host their first game of the season against NWS Spirit at 5pm on Sunday.
UNSW has recruited very well over the off season and no doubt will be hoping to qualify for finals.
Aya Yamahata and Demi Koulizakis arrive from Sydney Olympic the latter will be keen to get on the scoresheet and start the UNSW campaign with a win.
If we talk about wholesale changes, Tony Candy’s NWS Spirit has suffered a lot of it with a number of players moving on.
Once again though, they will be looking to promote from within and perhaps a new star will be born on Sunday.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Bulls FC Academy at Popondetta Park, 5pm
Popondetta Park will host Women’s NPL action this season as the Mt Druitt Town Rangers host Bulls FC Academy.
Generally, when teams get promoted their first focus is survival, but at Mt Druitt, making a run for finals football is definitely at the top of the list.
What better was to start the campaign than three points against one of the leading teams in the top tier over the past few seasons.
It will be exciting seeing the one and only Leena Khamis back in the top flight and she’ll be hoping to get amongst the goals straight away.
Another team that has gone through significant change over the off season with player departures.
Isabella Coco-Di Sipio will be entrusted with finding the back of the net, while Liz Grey will need to lead a new look defence.
Gladesville Ravens v Sydney Olympic at Christie Park, 5:10pm
The second last game of the round takes place at Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host Sydney Olympic.
Lauren Phelps takes the wheel after a successful campaign in the reserve grade at the Ravens and will hope to translate that form into the first team.
With lots of goals in them, Lexie Moreno, Claudia Cholakian and Patty Charalambous will be looking to hit the ground running.
It’s been a tumultuous off season at Olympic but what better way to straighten things out than getting the season off to a winning start.
Maxine Peak had a great season last year and she’ll be the linchpin in the front third for Olympic.
APIA Leichhardt v Macarthur Rams at Lambert Park, 5:45pm – Match of the Round
The match of the round this weekend brings us back to last season’s Grand Final rematch as APIA Leichhardt take on the Macarthur Rams.
The Rams prevailed in a classic following a penalty shoot out to claim their third successive Championship trophy, but things won’t be the same in 2025.
Stephen Peters has moved on, replaced by Vic Guzman. Beth Gordon, Madison McComasky and Tenealle Hay amongst many, have moved on. Mel Caceres, the heart and soul of the Rams has also left, replacing Lynwood Park with Lambert and will line up in the Maroon and Blue of APIA against her former team this weekend.
Bringing in Sakura Nojima from the Stingrays will offer quality and experience to a very young and talented Rams squad who will face a tough task this week.
That tough task will be an APIA team that perhaps is one of the best assembled (without A-League Women’s players).
APIA have brought in the previously mentioned Caceres, Hannah McNulty from the Northern Tigers and Jess Seaman (who is unavailable). Alongside re-signed Tanya Borazio, Mona Walker, Charlotte Lancaster, Estelle Fragale and Ash Crofts, this is a frightening side.
They will be looking for revenge for that Grand Final defeat, while the Rams come into this one with nothing to lose, a fresh start to a new project.
By Nikola Pozder
