A number of Football Ferns and former NZ age group internationals are set to lace up in Australia’s W-League, as the 2020/21 season kicks off today.

Leading the charge in the league’s opening fixture is Football Ferns midfielder Olivia Chance. The 20-cap Fern signed for the Brisbane Roar from FA Women’s Championship side Sheffield United, for her first season in the W-League. The Roar kick off their campaign against reigning champions Melbourne City, as part of a double header with the clubs’ A-League sides.

Tomorrow Canberra United’s season gets underway, the club that 18-cap Fern Paige Satchell has joined for her first W-League campaign. Paige played for Frauen Bundesliga side SC Sand in 2019 and made an appearance for Auckland Football in the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership.

And a number of players from the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership could make their first appearances in professional football tomorrow night too, as Perth Glory host Melbourne Victory for their season opener.

Perth Glory Kiwi trio Lily Alfeld (Auckland Football, former NZ Under-20s player), Lizzie Anton (Auckland Football, Football Fern) and Malia Steinmetz (Northern Lights, Football Fern) are members of the Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP), and join the West Australians for their first ever professional contracts.

The Glory take on Melbourne Victory, which features fellow FFDP member and Football Fern Claudia Bunge, also on her first professional contract. Rounding out the Kiwi W-League contingent at Victory is 123-cap Fern Annalie Longo, fresh from winning the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership with Canterbury United Pride, who rejoins her 2019/20 W-League team. Here's a reminder, if you needed it, of her in classic twinkle-toed action last season:

Draw and how to watch

Full information on the W-League draw (including fixtures rescheduled due to COVID-19) can be found at https://www.w-league.com.au/ 

Fans in Aotearoa New Zealand can follow the Kiwi contingent with the games being shown by Sky Sport. 

New Zealanders in the W-League

The 2020/21 W-League campaign sees the most New Zealanders set to appear in the league in a single season since 2012/13, when eight Kiwis took to the field. New Zealanders have played in every edition of the W-League bar one (2014), since the inaugural 2008/09 season.

Annalie Longo, Emma Kete and Hannah Bromley tasted success in 2013, winning with Sydney FC, with Longo scoring in the semi final.

Rebekah Stott is the league’s most successful New Zealander, having won four championships and two premierships (regular season titles) during her time with Melbourne City (the team began competing in the league in the 2015/16 season). This includes her playing a key role in their unbeaten gallop to the 2019/20 premiership/championship double.

To date the following New Zealanders have played in the W-League:

Hannah Bromley (Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC)

Abby Erceg (Adelaide United)

Anna Green (Adelaide United, Sydney FC)

Katie Hoyle (Melbourne Victory)

Emma Kete (Canberra United, Perth Glory, Sydney FC)

Annalie Longo (Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC)

Sarah McLaughlin (Adelaide United)

Elizabeth Milne (Adelaide United, Perth Glory)

Marlies Oostdam (Melbourne Victory)

Briar Palmer (Melbourne Victory)

Holly Patterson (Adelaide United)

Emma Rolston (Sydney FC)

Rebecca Smith (Newcastle Jets)

Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory)

Rebecca Tegg (Melbourne Victory)

Kirsty Yallop (Brisbane Roar)

Article added: Tuesday 29 December 2020