Northern NSW Football has announced that Mid Coast FC will no longer participate in its NPL Women’s NNSW competitions.
Mid Coast FC will not enter teams in the NPLW NNSW first grade and reserve grade competitions from 2025.
The competition will continue to run for 21 rounds, with each club playing each another three times. But a bye will be inserted into the schedule in place of Mid Coast FC.
Mid Coast FC will still field under-13s, under-15s and under-17s teams in the Premier Youth League Girls competition and maintain their full Premier Youth League Boys program.
“The removal of Mid Coast FC from the NPL Women’s NNSW competition will not alter the length or configuration of the 2025 season, with seven clubs to compete in the NPL Women’s NNSW competition next year,” NNSWF General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley said.
“We are dedicated in helping Mid Coast FC continue to grow a sustainable girls pathway through their PYL program.”
NNSWF will continue to work with the Women’s and Girls Premier Competition Structure Advisory Group in relation to the future growth of premier female competitions.
“NNSWF’s Women’s and Girls Premier working group will be looking at elite women’s football in the region and the possibility of expansion in the future,” Bentley said.
“This working group will investigate the viability, structure and format for a second division that will underpin the NPLW competition as well as consider the possibility of a promotion/relegation structure.
“NNSWF is excited to create a sustainable future for women and girls premier football in our region.”
The management of Mid Coast FC in the PYL programs will also move from a zone-based model to a club-based model at the end of 2025. This transition will not affect their position in these competitions.
Football Mid North Coast chairman Lance Fletcher said it had been a strategic decision to focus on their youth development pathway.
“It is with regret that Mid Coast Football Club will withdraw from the NPL Women’s NNSW competition effective immediately. This decision has come as a result of low player numbers,” Fletcher said.
“Football Mid North Coast is committed to continuing in the Premier Youth League Girls and Premier Youth Boys competitions. It is our intention to continue to provide a pathway through our youth academy programs.
“We have also informed stakeholders that our commitment to administering Mid Coast FC will cease at the end of the 2025 season. I will continue to work with Mid Coast FC’s management for the next 12 months to ensure that there is a smooth transition in the club’s next steps.
“It is our view that the maintenance of a senior NPL program in the future should be the role of a club who is better able to support and focus on this highly competitive and results driven segment of the league.
“Football Mid North Coast wish to thank Northern NSW Football for their ongoing support.”
NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes said he understood Football Mid North Coast’s decision and thanked them for their openness and transparency.
“Football Mid North Coast informed NNSWF at the completion of their season that they were not able to deliver a senior program in 2025 and NNSWF respect that decision,” Haynes said.
“We look forward to working with the zone to support the delivery of their excellent youth programs and to explore what options may exist in the future for a club or clubs from the region to seek entry into the NPL Women’s NNSW competition.”
