NPL Women’s NSW bolstered by A-League Women’s talent influx

The National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition has been significantly strengthened following the conclusion of the 2026 Ninja A-League Women’s season and the closing of the Women’s transfer window on Tuesday 26 May, with 40 players returning to the state league competition.

Many of the arrivals are familiar faces, with a large number returning to clubs they previously represented before earning opportunities at A-League Women’s level.

The influx includes current and past Australian internationals, overseas players, and some of the most recognisable names in the women’s game, further reinforcing the NPL Women’s NSW competition as one of the strongest and most competitive state leagues in the country.

Clubs across the competition have been major beneficiaries, with several stacking their squads with top-tier talent ahead of the business end of the season.

APIA Leichhardt FC have welcomed back a host of key names, including Claudia Cicco, Natasha Prior and Sophie Hoban all returning from Newcastle Jets FC.

Bulls FC Academy have also bolstered their ranks with Elizabeth (Liz) Barwick-Grey and Jynaya Dos Santos returning from Central Coast Mariners FC, while Amber Luchtmeijer arrives from Sydney FC.

Gladesville Ravens have secured Claire Adams, Zoe Karipidis and Josie Allan, all formerly of Newcastle Jets FC.

Illawarra Stingrays have also strengthened its squad with striker Bronte Trew (Perth Glory) added to their roster.

Macarthur Rams FC have added Sofia Fante, Amelia Cassar and Claire Corbett (all Sydney FC), along with Tegan Bertolissio and Darcey Malone (both Canberra United FC).

Manly United FC have welcomed Emma Bates and Georgia Ritchie (Newcastle Jets FC), along with Sienna Dale (Canberra United FC).

Northern Tigers FC have added Josie Wilson (Newcastle Jets FC) and Elizabeth Anton (Canberra United FC) to their list.

NWS Spirit FC have made one of the biggest recruitment splashes, headlined by reigning 2025 NPL Women’s NSW Player of the Year Skye Halmarick (Sydney FC). They are also boosted by Avaani Prakash (Central Coast Mariners), Ella Abdul-Massih (Perth Glory), Tiana Fuller (Central Coast Mariners), along with Rubi Sullivan (Sydney FC) as they hope to pick up some much-needed points to avoid relegation to Football NSW League One in 2027.

Sydney Olympic FC have strengthened with Kaiya Buchanan, Maya Fernandez, Baxter Thew, Tess Quiligan, Sophia Varley and Jaya Bowman (all Central Coast Mariners FC).

Sydney University SFC have added Maddie Caspers (Sydney FC) to its squad.

UNSW FC welcome back Ava Collins (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), along with Bianca Gittany (Sydney FC) and Abbey Lemon (Sydney FC).

Western Sydney Wanderers FC will feature several of their A-League Women’s senior squad members, including Aimee Hall, Nikkita Fazzari, Talia Younis, Amelia Bennett and Allyssa Ng Saad, who return to bolster their NPL Women’s NSW campaign.

The influx of elite talent further strengthens the depth and quality of the competition, particularly as clubs push toward the final stages of the season in both the title race and relegation battles. It also sees these players join some already quality players who have been at their clubs from the very start and have made a name for themselves.

For fans, the message is simple, if you haven’t been to a game yet, now is the time, with some of the best women’s football talent in the country on display every week across New South Wales.

2026 Ninja A-League Women’s Player Movements to the NPL Women’s NSW Competition

APIA Leichhardt FC
Claudia Cicco (Newcastle Jets FC)
Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets FC)
Sophie Hoban (Newcastle Jets FC)

Bulls FC Academy
Elizabeth (Liz) Barwick-Grey (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Jynaya Dos Santos (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Amber Luchtmeijer (Sydney FC)

Gladesville Ravens
Claire Adams (Newcastle Jets FC)
Zoe Karipidis (Newcastle Jets FC)
Josie Allan (Newcastle Jets FC)

Illawarra Stingrays
Bronte Trew (Perth Glory)

Macarthur Rams FC
Sofia Fante (Sydney FC)
Amelia Cassar (Sydney FC)
Claire Corbett (Sydney FC)
Tegan Bertolissio (Canberra United FC)
Darcey Malone (Canberra United FC)

Manly United FC
Emma Bates (Newcastle Jets FC)
Georgia Ritchie (Newcastle Jets FC)
Sienna Dale (Canberra United FC)

Northern Tigers FC
Josie Wilson (Newcastle Jets FC)
Elizabeth Anton (Canberra United FC)

NWS Spirit FC
Avaani Prakash (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Ella Abdul-Massih (Perth Glory)
Tiana Fuller (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Skye Halmarick (Sydney FC)
Rubi Sullivan (Sydney FC)

Sydney Olympic FC
Kaiya Buchanan (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Maya Fernandez (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Baxter Thew (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Tess Quilligan (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Sophia Varley (Central Coast Mariners FC)
Jaya Bowman (Central Coast Mariners FC)

Sydney University SFC
Maddie Caspers (Sydney FC)

UNSW FC
Ava Collins (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
Bianca Gittany (Sydney FC)
Abbey Lemon (Sydney FC)

Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Aimee Hall (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
Nikkita Fazzari (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
Talia Younis (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
Amelia Bennett (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
Allyssa Ng Saad (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)

*At the time of writing there may have been a handful more of players making the journey to the NPL Women’s NSW competition.