W-League set for expansion ahead of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

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The W-League is set to grow by three teams in time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The Australian Professional Leagues announced plans for expansion to Australia’s premier women’s football competition, with Central Coast Mariners, Western United and Wellington Phoenix set to join ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The expansion will be the competition’s first since 2015 when Melbourne City joined, with the exact timeline for the addition of these teams to be confirmed in the coming weeks by the APL, and will take the number of teams competing in the competition to 12.

Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix have aggressively pursued a W-League license for a number of years, whilst Western United, who joined the A-League in the last expansion of the men’s competition, have always earmarked their commitment to entering a team in the W-League as well.

The expansion means that the W-League Final Series will have an additional final – a Preliminary Final – which will reward teams finishing first and second with a ‘second chance’ on the road to the Grand Final.

Sarah Walsh, Head of Women’s Football at Football Australia, welcomed the news.

“Women and girls now have more choice than ever when it comes to selecting a sport to play in Australia. It’s imperative that Football continues to progress and evolve when it comes to providing greater access and opportunity for women and girls in football,” she said.

“With the W-League entering its 14th season and a commitment to broader expansion of the league, I am confident that we are taking the right steps forward as a game to ensure that football is the number one sport of choice for women and girls as we strive for 50:50 gender balance by 2027.

“Football has always provided women in football with a clear and accessible pathway to play for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas and junior women’s national teams. W-League expansion not only broadens these existing pathway opportunities, it additionally strengthens our national team aspirations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 and beyond.”

The expansion will deliver greater commercial opportunities, as well as playing opportunities, for football in Australia, according to APL Managing Director Danny Townsend.

“This is just the beginning of a sustained investment programme in women’s football – we announced unbundling just 8-months ago, and are already bringing more games, more players, better broadcast, improved employment conditions and enhanced footballing pathways,” he said.

“We want to unleash football’s potential in Australia and this is a significant step forward in delivering the future that the game deserves.”

A long-term collective bargaining agreement was also announced, to be finalised between the APL and the Professional Football Association, much to the delight of PFA Co-CEO, Kate Gill.

“The expansion of the competition is an important step forward and illustrates the confidence in the women’s game and the solid foundations that have been built,” she said.

“The players have been vocal advocates for the growth of the competition and positively APL’s women’s football strategy will not only provide additional employment opportunities and match minutes for our talented players but delivers a healthy boost to the W-League in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”

In addition to the new teams and expanded competition, the APL will also launch a new “Club Championship”.

The Club Championship will reward the club (not the team) with the most combined points at the end of the men’s and women’s seasons.

The new trophy is designed to bring together fans of the men’s and women’s games together.

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Fremantle City Launches 2026 NPL Season with Focus on Youth and Community

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Image Credit: Football West

Fremantle City FC has officially launched its 2026 New Balance NPL WA Men’s and Women’s seasons, championing a community-first approach that puts young players at the heart of the club’s future.In a vibrant ceremony at Hilton Park, club juniors presented first-team shirts to senior Men’s and Women’s squads, symbolising a critical pathway from grassroots to elite football within the Fremantle family.

“This is very important for us- our juniors presenting shirts to our NPL Women’s and Men’s teams,” said Club President Tony Estrano. “2026 is the ninth year of our academy, running from under-nines up to under-16s, for both boys and girls. Today’s shirt handover by our Under 13s Academy and JDL teams shows these kids there is a real pathway to the first team.”

Head coach Samantha Geddes has reaffirmed the sentiment, emphasising Freo’s commitment to club unity: “Getting the whole club involved like this is brilliant. It’s great for our young girls to see that connection to the senior team and for senior players to inspire and support the next generation.”

Momentum and Ambition for 2026

Fremantle’s Women’s side enters 2026 riding high after a historic State Cup triumph last season, with captain Annabelle Leek setting her sights even higher: “Winning the State Cup was massive. We’re ready to build on that momentum, with new signings and a renewed focus on finishing in the top four.”

On the men’s side, after avoiding relegation last year and freshening up the roster with key signings, captain Cam Edwards is confident: “We’re ambitious, and with this group, we know we can put on a good show.”

Fremantle City has committed itself to turning club culture and youth pathways into on-field results, inspiring the next generation to wear the crest at every level.

Level the Playing Field: Football Unites at Parliament House to Back Grassroots Growth

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 Image Credit: Football Victoria/Avellino Photography 

Victorian football’s most influential voices gathered at Parliament House last Wednesday to officially launch the Level the Playing Field campaign. The initiative is a united call to strengthen grassroots infrastructure and ensure every child has access to safe, modern facilities.

Hosted by Football Victoria alongside members of the Parliamentary Friends of Football, the event brought together MPs from across the political spectrum, A-League representatives, community clubs and emerging players, reinforcing one clear message: when football thrives, Victoria thrives.

Football Victoria Chair Dr Angela Williams delivered a powerful address, drawing on her professional experience to underscore sport’s social impact.

“You belong when you play football,” she said. “It is the same healthy place to play — regardless of race, religion or background. Young people in sport are healthier and safer. That’s what this is about.”

The campaign comes at a pivotal moment for the game. Participation across Victoria has surged to more than 127,000 registered players, with female participation experiencing significant growth in recent years. A legacy of the recent success of the Australian women’s national team.

Yet, as speakers emphasised, infrastructure has not kept pace.

Former Socceroo and community advocate Carl Valeri reflected on the contrast between elite and grassroots environments, highlighting the importance of stronger community facilities.

“When you walk into a community facility, there’s the same love and passion,” Valeri said. “But the infrastructure doesn’t always match. That infrastructure can turn away the kids who decide to play later, or those who might be facing challenges at home. For me, community football is important because we have to keep kids involved in the game.”

 Image Credit: Football Victoria/Avellino Photography 

Current and emerging players echoed the sentiment. Young footballer Kara Crnac highlighted how quality facilities build confidence and create opportunity, while coach and talent pathway representative Maddison Kamolins stressed the importance of safe, inclusive environments.

Image Credit: Football Victoria/Avellino Photography

Government representatives acknowledged more than $100 million in recent football facility investment, including the state’s landmark commitment to Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University, while recognising further support is required at the grassroots level.

Football Victoria CEO Dan Birrell described the campaign as both collaborative and forward-looking.

“We’re going to be visible; we’re going to be active and we’re going to be strong advocates for our clubs,” he said. “Every elite career begins at a community ground. If we want stronger communities and stronger representation on the world stage, we must invest where it all begins.”

With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon and continued momentum across domestic competitions, the message from Parliament was clear: the next generation of Matildas and Socceroos is already here.

Now, it’s time to level the playing field, sign the petition here.

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