The PlayStation 4 NPL NSW 2016 Season was launched by Football NSW at Waterview in Bicentennial Park on Wednesday night where media and representatives from the NPL community attended.
A cocktail function for 150 guests which included representatives from all Football NSW National Premier League Clubs, Sport NSW CEO, Cheryl Battaerd, Executive Director, Sport Infrastructure Group, Paul Doorn and Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, Michael Ephraim, celebrated the fourth year of the National Premier Leagues in NSW.
The 2016 season will again see the National Premier Leagues benefit from the association with PlayStation 4 and in a new initiative will introduce the inaugural PS4 Player Pathway Award. This Award gives 24 aspiring footballers (aged 16-20) around the country a shot at a professional career. The aim of the award is to uncover some of Australia’s hidden football talent to become Hyundai A-League stars of tomorrow.
Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, Michael Ephraim said, “The PS4 NPL is widely recognised as the engine room for the future of professional league football in Australia. By introducing the PS4 Player Pathway Award we are offering another opportunity for players who have missed selection through traditional routes to follow their dreams into the A-League.”
With the support of FFA, PlayStation Australia and FNSW, the Player Pathway Award seeks to celebrate the vibrant communities found in grassroots football. As official spokesperson for the award, Adam Peacock will front a new show called “The Ones to Watch” where he will follow some of our brightest PS4 NPL stars from all around Australia on their journey through the Player Pathway Award.
“I am really looking forward to following the PS4 NPL talent as part of the Ones to Watch series because football is about more than just a sport – it’s about the players’ stories, the communities, the determination and the passion for our beautiful game,” said Ephraim.
A special coaching panel were asked their thoughts of the upcoming season. The panel consisted of Mark Crittenden who led Blacktown City to last year’s 2015 Premiership and national NPL Championship, Brian ‘Bomber’ Brown, who claimed the 2015 Championship with Bonnyrigg White Eagles, former Matilda, W-League and Women’s NPL star Catherine Cannuli who is currently coaching the Women’s Southern Districts Football team in the State League Women’s competition , and up and coming PlayStation 4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s coach Steve Hurd who took the Northern Tigers to last season’s Grand Final and won it.
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