Northern NSW Football eye expansion, better facilities and improved coverage for women under National Premier Leagues banner

They join NSW, Queensland, Victoria, ACT, South Australia and Western Australia member federations who play under the NPLW banner.

NNSWF chief David Eland welcomed the step up in status as Australia prepares to co-host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"We were hoping to launch in 2021 but, unfortunately, 2020 threw up a few challenges and, so, in consultation with the clubs we decided to put it off until 2022," Eland told the Newcastle Herald.

"This is really important because now we can join the other member federations with our top-flight women's competition having that NPLW brand right around Australia.

"It remains aspirational but I'm very confident that there's going to be far more opportunities for the best female players in the region to also compete against the best from other member federations. In the event of an NPLW finals series, our premiers can be a part of that."

Eland said NNSWF were working with clubs to meet a 10-point criteria that will in time raise standards on and off the field.

The merger of some women's clubs with NPL clubs in the past two seasons has resulted in improved facilities and better grounds but there is still work to be done in this space.

Newcastle Olympic took over Wallsend's licence, Broadmeadow replaced South Wallsend, Merewether made the move to Charlestown Azzurri and Maitland entered the competition this year in place of Thornton.

"The big push is for gender neutral facilities," Eland said "And, that's not only important for NPLW clubs. That's important for the game full stop. Every time we meet with the council and state government, that's what we talk about. We need changerooms that cater for both males and females.

"Unfortunately, our audit of facilities back in 2018-2019 indicates that we've got enormous work to do. There's massive investment required to make sure that young girls who play the game feel comfortable and safe whilst doing so."

The region's premier competition began in 2009 with six first-grade teams. Female participation has exploded since and it now comprises eight clubs and five grades from 13s up to first grade.

Eland said expansion "has to be on the horizon".

"We are very happy with eight clubs at the moment but there is no reason why in the future, as the number of females playing the game continues to increase, that the NPLW shouldn't increase in the number of clubs participating as well," he said.

"Ten to 12 clubs within say the next decade is absolutely achievable. Being aspirational, as the game continues to grow and there's more players, our plans should also include having an underpinning competition as well, just like there is in the men's."

More coverage is also a goal. BarTV Sports livestreamed a match of the round each week for the first time this year. The eventual hope is for the women's game to reach parity with the men's league, which has every match livestreamed.

"That's certainly the intention," Eland said. "We've always said with the transition to an NPLW we'd like to increase the scope of match streaming.

"But, it's also important to note that we've just gone through two really challenging years, so, it is always subject to a budget that's approved by the board. But the aspiration is for all NPLW games to be streamed."

Producing more female coaches in the top-flight women's competition remains a focus. The Herald understands only New Lambton will have a female at the helm of a first-grade side in 2022.

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"We certainly need to accredit more female advanced coaches; that's why initiatives like the C licence scholarships are important," Eland said.

"We recently announced 10 aspiring female coaches who will do their C licence and that will be a big part of the FIFA women's World Cup legacy program as well. We'll identify more female coaches who want to do their advanced qualification and coach in the best competitions."

Meanwhile, NNSWF have announced they will implement a comprehensive review into the effectiveness and efficiency of the governance and administration structures which underpin the game in northern NSW.

Member zones, standing committees, clubs, coaches, referees, volunteers, players and employees will all get the chance to have their say and contribute towards the review.

Consultation will start with the board and management of the member zones from Monday.

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