Football West News

The PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA competition will be expanded to 14 teams in 2017 to include Joondalup United and Mandurah City following consultation between Football West and stakeholders.

Football West acknowledges the recent challenges relating to promotion and relegation and wishes to reassure members of its commitment to improving the game both on and off the field.

In establishing the new competition in 2014, Football West had anticipated facing challenges that would require adjustments over time. It also accepted that a comprehensive review of the mechanics of the NPLWA would be inevitable.

Football West will conduct a full review of the competition and its relationship with underpinning leagues over coming months, seeking input from all stakeholders for the purpose of developing an NPL Strategy to ensure the game’s continued growth.

This review will form part of a series of key initiatives that will be undertaken by Football West in the coming months, including the Insights Project.

The Insights Project will focus on canvassing the views of all football stakeholders in WA with the aim of supporting the continued growth of the game. A key component of this project will be a survey to all stakeholders identifying their views of the different aspects of the football ecosystem in WA.

This statement confirms the reversal of an earlier decision to make no changes to the PS4 NPLWA in 2017. At all times, Football West has sought to act with the best intentions and with the interests of the game at the core of its decision-making. Football West will reassess NPL eligibility criteria and provide further clarity for clubs seeking promotion to the top tier beyond next season.

The 2017 NPLWA will be a 26-week competition and the salary cap will remain at the 2016 level. The additional competition weeks will be absorbed through the modification of the 2017 Night Series.

The inclusion of All Flags State League Division One winners Joondalup United and runner-up Mandurah City in first team, U20 and U18 competitions in 2017 will extend further NPL benefits to two of WA football’s growth areas.

Participation rates have spiked by more than 4% above the state average in the areas around Joondalup and Mandurah over the past four years, while overall registrations in WA are at a record high of 44,000.

Joondalup United’s junior teams, from U12 to U16, will join the Junior NPL, expanding the youth ranks to a 21-club competition.

Subiaco AFC, who finished last in the senior NPLWA in 2016, will retain their status in WA’s top competition in 2017.

Football West acknowledges the efforts of officials at Joondalup United, Subiaco AFC, Mandurah City and other stakeholders in working collaboratively with Football West to reach a positive outcome for the sport.

Football West will continue to work with all clubs, players and officials to achieve WA football’s great potential.

League composition in 2017

PS4 NPLWA: Armadale; Balcatta; Bayswater City; Cockburn City; ECU Joondalup; Floreat Athena; Inglewood United; Joondalup United; Mandurah City; Perth SC; Perth Glory; Sorrento FC; Stirling Lions; Subiaco AFC.

The Junior NPL will consist of the senior clubs listed above, plus: Ellenbrook United; Fremantle City; Joondalup City; Melville City; Quinns FC; Rockingham City; South West Phoenix.