Northern NSW Football launched its 2024 NPL NNSW competitions on Monday with one of the biggest seasons in its history on the horizon starting this weekend.
NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes announced the NPL Women’s NNSW competition would receive equal prize money, bringing it into line with the NPL Men’s NNSW competition.
From 2024 in the NPL NNSW premiers will receive $10,000 while the grand final winners will receive $4,000.
It also promises to be an exciting NPL Men’s NNSW season with the reintroduction of promotion and relegation.
Players representing the 12 NPL Men’s NNSW and eight NPL Women’s NNSW clubs attended Magic Park to speak to media ahead of the opening weekend.
The NPL NNSW season kicks off this weekend with the matches of the round. Broadmeadow Magic host Adamstown Rosebud at Magic Park on Friday night in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition while Charlestown Azzurri welcome Maitland FC to Lisle Carr Oval in the NPL Women’s NNSW competition on Saturday.
Haynes was thrilled to announce equal prize money for the NPL Women’s NNSW competition.
“I am excited that we can announce equal prize money for the NPL Women’s NNSW competition from this year’s season,” Haynes said.
“It’s fantastic to be able to recognise the talent and contributions of the NPL Women’s NNSW competition on an equal footing with our NPL Men’s NNSW competition. This is a positive step in continuing to grow female football throughout the northern NSW region.”
NNSWF General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley looked forward to the return of promotion and relegation in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition.
“The return of promotion and relegation will be a huge positive for football in our region,” Bentley said.
“I’m excited to watch teams battle it out for the premiership on the back of one of our most competitive seasons in memory. While also now getting to see clubs work hard to retain their position in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition.”
Elsewhere in round one of the NPL Men’s NNSW competition on Saturday, Maitland FC face Valentine FC at Maitland No.1 Sportsground, Edgeworth FC host Weston Workers FC at Jack McLaughlan Oval, Cooks Hill United play Newcastle Olympic at No.2 Sportsground and Lake Macquarie City FC take on Lambton Jaffas at Macquarie Field.
Shane Pryce’s new look New Lambton FC travel to Lisle Carr Oval to take on Charlestown Azzurri on Sunday afternoon.
The remaining matches in round one of the NPL Women’s NNSW competition sees reigning premiers and champions Broadmeadow Magic host New Lambton FC at Magic Park and Adamstown Rosebud JFC play Newcastle Olympic at Lake Macquarie Football Facility.
Mid Coast FC travel to John Street Oval to face Warners Bay FC on Sunday.
The full 2022 NPL Men’s NNSW and NPL Women’s NNSW fixture lists are available HERE.
