National Premier Leagues to kick off this weekend in Queensland

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The National Premier Leagues (NPL) competitions kick-off this weekend in Queensland when Lions FC meet Peninsula Power at Lions Stadium in Brisbane.

This will be the first fixture of many that will see clubs from eight of Football Federation Australia’s Member Federations begin their respective seasons over the next two months in a bid to reach NPL 2019 Finals Series.

The off-season has seen a number of key signings across the NPL, in particular with the Football Federation South Australia (FFSA) NPL recruiting some high calibre players in former Hyundai A-League players Marcelo Carrusca (West Adelaide) and Marco Flores (Adelaide City) and also former Athletic Bilbao defender Jon Aurtenetxe (Adelaide Comets) and former Sampdoria striker Emanuele Testardi (Adelaide Blue Eagles).

The Women’s NPL will also kick-off nationally in Queensland when Eastern Suburbs host Gold Coast United FC at Heath Park. There will be a large influx of players from the Westfield W-League who will join the Women’s NPL ranks once their commitments are completed.

FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop believes that the NPL competitions are a great breeding ground for future Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League players .

“Vibrant and healthy NPL competitions are important to underpin both the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League,” said Gallop.

“As we have seen in recent editions of the FFA Cup, the gap between the Hyundai A-League and NPL is narrowing.

"Many players have successfully made the transition from NPL to Hyundai A-League in recent times including the likes of Kenny Athiu, Kaine Sheppard and Elvis Kamsoba.

“The Women’s NPL is also a great opportunity for young players to test themselves against established Westfield W-League players and then eventually progress to the international stage.

“I wish all clubs and the member federations an exciting and successful season,” concluded Gallop.

Football Queensland is the first Member Federation to kick off its men’s and women’s NPL 2019 seasons.

Football Victoria commences its season on Valentine’s Day with Heidelberg United FC taking on Pascoe Vale FC at Olympic Village.

Football NSW begins their season with a triple treat with APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC hosting the Marconi Stallions, Wollongong Wolves FC facing Manly United FC and Blacktown City FC meeting Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC on Sunday 10 March.

As seen last year, all nine Australian Hyundai A-League Clubs will continue to compete in NPL competitions, with six of the nine Clubs competing in the top division in their respective States in 2019.

The NPL now encompasses numerous divisions (NPL 2, NPL 3 etc.) and women’s competitions in selected competitions.

NPL Men’s Start Dates

NPL Competition	Start Date	Opening Match(es)
Football Queensland	Saturday, 2 February	Lions FC v Peninsula Power FC at Lions Stadium (6pm)
Football Victoria	Thursday, 14 February	Heidelberg United FC v Pascoe Vale FC at Olympic Village (7:45pm)
Football Federation South Australia	Friday, 22 February	Campbelltown City SC v Adelaide Blue Eagles at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre (7:30pm)
Football Federation Tasmania	Friday, 1 March	Olympia FC Warriors v South Hobart FC at Warrior Park (8:00pm)
Northern NSW Football	Thursday, 7 March	Charlestown City Blues FC v Newcastle Jets at Lisle Carr Oval (7:45pm)
Football NSW	Sunday, 10 March	APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC v Marconi Stallions/Wollongong Wolves FC v Manly United FC/Blacktown City FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (3:00pm)
Football West	Friday, 15 March	(no fixtures released)
Capital Football	Friday, 5 April	Canberra FC v Canberra Olympic at Deakin Stadium (7:00pm)

NPL Women’s Start Dates

NPL Competition	Start Date	Opening Match(es)
Football Queensland	Friday, 15 February	Eastern Suburbs v Gold Coast United FC at Heath Park (8:30pm)
Football Victoria	Saturday, 23 February	Calder United SC v Alamein FC at Keilor Park Rec Reserve (3:00pm)/Southern United FC v South Melbourne FC at Monterey Reserve (3:00pm)
Football Federation South Australia	Friday, 8 March	Entire round kicks off simultaneously
Football NSW	Sunday, 10 March	Entire round kicks off simultaneously
Capital Football	Saturday, 30 March	Monaro Panthers v Canberra Olympic FC at Riverside Stadium (5:00pm)