Hoban hyped for Premiership decider on Sunday

Ahead of APIA Leichhardt’s showdown with Bulls FC Academy for the NPL Women’s NSW Premiership decider on Sunday evening, we spoke to key player Sophie Hoban about the clash. 

Hoban has enjoyed yet another stellar campaign for APIA, once more combining her devastating quality on the ball with hard work off it, helping her side to go nine games unbeaten at this crucial stage of the season.

“I came in halfway through the season, and I knew there was a bit of a rocky start for the team, and I think I experienced a few weeks of the rockiness,” she said when asked about her stunning 2025.

“But we’ve picked up really well.

“I think everyone involved in the APIA squad has helped me and my performance.

“We have a great midfield, and everyone helps me be able to perform.”

APIA may be currently second on the table, but the Premiership is still in their hands, as they take on current table-toppers Bulls FC at Lambert Park this weekend for the title.

This is something Hoban has become acclimatised to, being the third season in a row that her side had the last round decide the Premiership.

“I feel like it almost always ends up being a last game battle for the Premiership – for the last three years this has happened, and it always ends up being at Lambert Park for some reason,” she said.

“I think there’s going to obviously be nerves on the day, but it’s good to have nerves, you don’t want to feel nothing.

“We just need to turn those nerves into good energy and be confident on the field.

“Eight games ago, we weren’t even in the top four, so every game’s been a big match – this will be the cherry on top to win this weekend.”

Meanwhile, after winning the Sapphire Cup, being in the finals series and with a chance to win the Premiership this weekend, APIA have a strong opportunity to make 2025 their year and win it all, making Sunday even more tantalising.

For Hoban, winning the Premiership would be an opportunity to give back to her beloved team and to all the people who make APIA the club that it is.

“I’ve won the Premiership once with the club, and having already won the Sapphire Cup this season, it’s a really good feeling to win something,” she said.

“The coaches and all the people at the club put a lot of effort in for us, so it would be nice to reward them.

We want to do it for them and make them proud.”

APIA Leichhardt will take on Bulls FC at Lambert Park at 5pm on Sunday, with the match available live and free on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel.