The return of the HMRI Charity Shield will kick off the 2026 NNSW premier competition season at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Friday night.
The double header will see NPL Women’s NNSW premiers and champions Charlestown Azzurri take on Women’s State Cup joint winners Maitland FC, before reigning NPL Men’s NNSW premiers and champions Broadmeadow Magic go head-to-head with Men’s State Cup winners Cooks Hill United.
NPL Women’s NNSW
Charlestown Azzurri v Maitland FC
Jack McLaughlan Oval, Friday 6pm
Maitland FC coach Ben Horgan said his team want to win everything on offer in 2026, starting with the HMRI Charity Shield against Charlestown Azzurri on Friday.
The two teams met in last year’s NPL Women’s NNSW grand final, but both have had plenty of squad and coaching changes to shake up the contest when they meet again at Jack McLaughlan Oval.
The HMRI Charity Shield will be Horgan’s first competition match with the Magpies, but he is confident his side is ready to jump into the competition and start the season with a trophy already in hand.
“I’m excited, we’re looking forward to it. I think it's a good way to jump in and get into the new season,” Horgan said.
“Obviously, the players are a little bit disappointed to come so close and come away sort of empty-handed in the grand final. But the confidence is there within the team that we're good enough to win things.
“They definitely want to start the year on a positive note.
“It's a nice little confidence booster, isn't it? Everyone wants to sort of start the season on a positive note. We've just got the type of competitive players that will want to win everything that's on offer.
“So, absolutely they'll be up for it.”
In the off season, Maitland lost Marry Ntsweng (Adamstown Rosebud JFC), Serena Carter (University of Newcastle) and Paige Kingston-Hogg (NPL Victoria) but added Elodie Dagg (Olympic) and Marion Dunbabin (Adamstown) to their roster. Both will feature on Friday night.
“I think it's been really good to have some new players come in and just the sort of positive energy they bring,” Horgan said.
“They've [Elodie Dagg and Marion Dunbabin] settled in really, really well. You wouldn't know that they hadn't been there forever, honestly.
“I guess it's a pretty mature and experienced dressing room. Like, you've got a lot of leaders in there and Elodie and Marion have obviously both played big games at big clubs in the past. They're still looking pretty seamless.”
The Magpies will be without captain Sophie Stapleford.
Reigning NPL Women’s NNSW premiers and champions Charlestown Azzurri have also had major changes to its squad, losing coach Heath Whyte, captain Kalista Hunter (Western Australia), Madi Gallegos (not returning for the upcoming campaign), Chelsea Lucas, Jorja Brown, Holly Vitnell and Alyssa Togo-Paragalli (Lake Macquarie City).
But the Blues have recruited former Matilda and ParaMatildas Head Coach Alicia Ferguson to lead the side, along with former Broadmeadow Magic captain Jannali Hunter, Sienna Denholm (New Lambton FC), Erica Di Sciascio (NPL NSW) and Ellie Knowles, formerly Jones (Magic).
Despite the changes to the squad captain Chloe Martin believed her team are prepared to take on the Magpies.
“The lead into the [HMRI] Charity Shield has been really solid preparation. We've had a lot of support from our coach, Eesh [Alicia Ferguson] and our support staff behind the scenes, Ruby, Harry and Jayna,” Martin said.
“We've come together and there's obviously a mix of nervousness and excitement. It's the first game of what will be a long season and we're just looking to build that momentum.
“The groups come together really well. Obviously, it was a little touch and go there for a while and we're not going to have that reserve grade support for this season, but we've made lots of really great signings.
“It's just one big group that's just come together really well and our training, our extras and even our team bonding, are such an amazing experience to be part of and we're just playing for each other.”
The Blues won all five trophies on offer in 2025, but Martin said the overall fresh start for the club was more important than the trophy on Friday night.
“A lot of these girls are new to this competition or new to the team as well. So, it's certainly starting from a fresh base, but that's almost working to our advantage because we're able to build what we want and move forward,” Martin said.
“The belief in our squad, it comes from within us, rather than the external sort of motivations and drives.
“Obviously everyone's looking for a win, but I think from our point of view, just our culture and playing for each other and the trust that we have is more important than just one particular game.”
2026 HMRI Charity Shield Match Day Information
WHEN: Friday 13 February
WHERE: Jack McLaughlan Oval, Edgeworth
KICK-OFF TIMES: NPL Women’s NNSW 6pm, NPL Men’s NNSW 8.15pm (champions will be decided by penalty kicks in the event of a draw.)
GATES OPEN: 5pm
PARKING: Supporters are advised to arrive early and leave plenty of time to enter the venue due to limited parking and with a large crowd expected.
TICKETS: $5 adults and concession, FREE 16-years and under. Tickets will be available at the gate only with contactless payment preferred. Limited change will be available, with correct cash appreciated. All proceeds from gate entry will go to HMRI.
Additional Information: Animals and pets (other than assistance dogs) are not permitted to enter the venue.