Football West News

Football West has welcomed the recommendations in an independent assessment and report into the current state and future of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA.

The 61-page NPLWA Review Report, which contains 46 recommendations, will assist in shaping the structure of the top-tier competitions over the next five years, providing improved player development opportunities and a vibrant senior competition.

Changes to the structure of the senior and junior NPLWA competitions, increased transparency around player fees and the salary cap, and the establishment of a Junior NPLWA Standing Committee were among the key recommendations.

The NPL Review Report was prepared after extensive consultation with stakeholders across the sport and included input from national governing body Football Federation Australia.

Football West Chair Liam Twigger said the NPL Review Report provided a comprehensive health check of the PS4 NPLWA competitions and recommendations for improvement that resulted from significant participant input.

“The PS4 NPLWA competition is still very much a fledgling competition but after three completed seasons it was appropriate to conduct a review to assess how it was progressing and where improvements could be made,” Twigger said.

“The Review Report sets out a number of recommendations that will be phased in over coming seasons starting in 2018 with the aim of ensuring that the development of players continues to be a critical factor in shaping the competition.

“Throughout the review process there was strong emphasis from players, coaches, parents and club officials that the NPL should focus on player development and raising elite standards. This is clear in the report with a number of recommendations that are designed to benefit players in both the Junior and Senior NPL competitions.

“Football is the most played team sport in the world, across Australia and here in WA and it is important that our state continues to produce players capable of playing on the world stage. Players such as Matildas striker Sam Kerr and Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury are examples of WA’s talent pool and of the great possibilities for our game.”

The review was commissioned by Football West to determine future modelling that would guide significant improvements.

During the comprehensive process, members of the National Premier Leagues WA, State League, Junior, Amateur and Women’s Standing Committees were involved in a Project Reference Group that met regularly with consultants.

A separate sub-committee of Football West Board and Management was updated regularly on the progress of the review, while FFA competition and technical departments provided guidance and input.

Other areas of the football community were consulted via eight workshops and an online survey, while discussions were also held with local government officials, the Department of Sport and Recreation (now Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries) and other State Sports Associations.

Click here for NPL Review Report

Click here for Football West NPL Review responses