The 2019 National Women’s League begins this weekend around New Zealand.  Find out what’s in store with the official preview. All three matches are set to take place on Sunday 15 September with Southern United hosting Central, defending champions Canterbury United Pride welcome Capital to English Park, and WaiBOP with a local derby against 2017 champions Auckland. The Northern Lights sit out match week one with the bye.

Southern United v Central Football
Date: Sunday 15 September
Venue: Logan Park, Dunedin
Kick Off: 11.30am

Referee: Wendy McNeeley
Assistant Referees: Allys Cliphsam, Sean Lau
Fourth Official: Caleb Corbett-Marsh

Southern United: 16. Jordan WOODWARD (GK), 3. Kelsey KENNARD, 4. Mikaela HUNT (c), 7. Shontelle SMITH, 8. Renee BACON, 9. Chelsea WHITTAKER, 12. Emily MORISON, 21. Mikayla GRAY, 22. Amy (Amy) HISLOP, 24. Jade MIDDLEDITCH (GK) 5. Lena DE RONDE, 6. Sam BALDWIN

Central Football: 1. Brooke BENNETT (GK), 2. Freya PARTRIDGE-MOORE, 3. Kate BENNETT (c), 4. Jana NIEDERMAYR, 5. Charlotte LANCASTER, 6. Florence MACINTYRE, 7. Emma LEES, 8. Eve BARRY, 9. Natalie OLSON, 10. Sophie CREWE, 11. Maggie PEDERSEN, 20. Aoife GALLAGHER-FORBESIRL (GK), 12. Samantha WOOLLEY, 13. Kate MORI, 14. Helen TALBOT, 15. Mikaela BOXALL

Quotes: Central Coach Barry Scullion: “The team and the coaching staff are really looking forward to getting the campaign started. We have returning players from last season. We have also added some experienced players who can support and mentor the young players. We know Southern United have a fantastic squad and it will be a really challenging game, but we are confident of being competitive throughout the season.”

Canterbury United Pride v Capital Football
Date: Sunday 15 September
Venue: English Park, Christchurch
Kick Off: 1.00pm

Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley
Assistant Referees: Henri Croft, Jayden Brown
Fourth Official: Subho Sarkar

Canterbury United Pride: 1. Una FOYLE (GK) 3. Rebecca LAKE, 5.                Annabel GILCHRIST, 6. Chloe JONES 9. Jayda STEWART, 10. Annalie LONGO (c), 12. Lauren DABNER, 13. Whitney HEPBURN, 20. Kate TAYLOR , 21. Nicola DOMINIKOVICH, 23. Bel VAN NOORDEN, 11. Macey FRASER, 14. Jasmine DONALD, 15. Britney-Lee NICHOLSON, 19. Ellena FIRTH, 22. Annie FOOTE

Capital: 1. Courtney NORMAN (GK), 3. Molly WOODHEAD, 5. Katie BARROTT (c), 7. Michaela ROBERTSON, 12. Zoe BARROTT, 13. Sophie DIJKSTRA, 14. Jayden (Jayden) WATTS, 15. Jemma ROBERTSON, 21. Jemma CATHERWOOD, 23. Ariana GRAY (GK), 17. Danielle OHLSSON, 19. Ellen FIBBES, 20. Kelsey WILKINSON, 22. Tupelo DUGAN

Quotes:

Alana Gunn (Canterbury United Pride Coach): “We are expecting a big game against Capital. I think round one in any competition is going to be big. We have been preparing all week and we are really excited to get started. We have a few new faces. One of them is striker Nicola Dominikovich from Cashmere Technical who has worked really hard to make the squad, we have Sam Senior who is one of the young girls coming in, and around five or six others.”

Quotes: Maia Vink: “The overall feeling is one of excitement. I know it is the first game and one of many this year. Even though it is not a new team, it is definitely a new era for Capital Football in the National Women’s League. We are excited about us and what we can do this season. Our first game is down in Christchurch which we know is typically a really tough place to play. It is not an easy game but it is one that we look forward to.”

WaiBOP Football v Auckland Football
Date: Sunday 15 September
Venue: John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge
Kick Off 2.00pm

Referee: Sarah Jones
Assistant Referees: Robbie Maris, Caley McNeely
Fourth Official: Bridget Baker

WaiBOP: 1. Georgia CANDY (GK), 2. Olivia HOOPER, 3. Emma SIZER, 4. Adi-grace MOOAR, 5. Chloe HENDERSON, 7. Lilly MUSPRATT , 8. Toni POWER, 9. Shannon TREBES, 12. Rachel MAJOR, 13. Maddison OLLINGTON, 17. Caitlin BYRNE, 21. Amy HARRISON (GK), 10. Maddison WILLIAMS, 16. Annaliese HEUVEL

Auckland: 30. Rivalina FUIMAONOSAM (GK), 2. Genevieve RYAN, 3. Lizzie ANTON, 4. Rebekah VAN DORT, 5. Maisy DEWELL                , 6. Stephanie SKILTON (c), 7. Britney CUNNINGHAM-LEE              , 9. Jade PARRIS, 10. Katie DUNCAN, 14. Ella RUSS, 15. Emma LEAMING, 16. Nadine ROBBERTS (GK), 20. Jaedeci ULUVILI, 22. Chloe MARTHE, 26. Sophie BRADLEY

Quotes: Nicola Demaine (AFF): “It has been a short preparation period but it is good to get the girls together and familiar with one another. We have bedded in some ideas of how we want to play on Sunday. We want to make sure everyone is ready for this first game. It is early on in the season so our priority is player welfare.”

Article added: Saturday 14 September 2019