Defending double winners Warners Bay FC will start their NPL Women’s NNSW title defences when they welcome Newcastle Olympic to John Street Oval.
Northern NSW Football announced the draw for its 2023 premier competitions on Tuesday, including its top tier women’s competition.
Warners Bay, who downed Olympic in last year’s grand final to win the championship after they had impressively secured the premiership, will welcome the beaten grand finalists to John Street on Sunday 5 March.
Next year will be the second NPL Women’s NNSW season, following the historic inaugural campaign in 2022.
The finals series structure will remain unchanged.
Elsewhere in round one, semi-finalists Charlestown Azzurri FC will host Keelan Hamilton’s return to Maitland FC at Lisle Carr Oval. Broadmeadow Magic FC will take on a new-look New Lambton FC at Magic Park, while Adamstown Rosebud JFC will travel to Taree to face Mid Coast FC.
All first round matches will be played on Sunday 5 March.
NNSWF General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley said the 2023 NPL Women’s NNSW campaign would be an exciting one for football in the region with Australia and New Zealand hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
“Obviously 2023 is going to be a massive year for women’s football in Australia with the Women’s World Cup being played here,” Bentley said.
“It is a great opportunity for football fans in our region to come and support the best female players across northern NSW in the biggest ever year for women’s football in our country.
“The inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW competition was a huge success. But there have been some significant personnel changes at a number of clubs so it really could be anyone’s to win.
“We wish everyone all the best for the 2023 season.”
There will also be special commemorative rounds for Female Football Week and NAIDOC Week as well as a Respect Round.
NPL Women’s NNSW match days will feature first and reserve grade matches as well as the youth component of NPL Women’s NNSW – the new Premier Youth League Girls competition - for under 13s, 15s and 17s.
NNSWF have also entered a partnership with World Sport Action group to launch Squadi as the new competition management system for NNSWF premier competitions.
Download the Squadi app to provide easy access to results, player statistics and fixture changes for any teams you follow from youth through to first grade.
For help on how to download Squadi and find your team click HERE
The full 2023 NPL Women’s NNSW fixture list is available HERE
The full 2023 Premier Youth League Girls fixture list is available HERE
2023 NPL Women’s NNSW Round 1 Fixtures
Charlestown Azzurri FC v Maitland FC – Lisle Carr Oval – Sunday 5 March – 3.40pm
Broadmeadow Magic FC v New Lambton FC – Magic Park – Sunday 5 March – 3.40pm
Mid Coast FC v Adamstown Rosebud JFC – Taree Zone Field – Sunday 5 March – 3.40pm
Warners Bay FC v Newcastle Olympic FC – John Street Oval – Sunday 5 March – 3.40pm