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W-League (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The W-League is the preeminent women's semi-professional football (soccer) league in Australia
. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League
, with the eighth team based in Canberra
. As it is sponsored by the Westfield Group, it is presently known
as the Westfield W-League.
The W-League's inaugural season
commenced on 25 October 2008, with hosting at Members Equity Stadium. After ten rounds, were the top-placed team, becoming the first W-League premiers, and advancing to the semi-finals along with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams. They faced in the W-League Grand Final 2009
, defeating them 2–0 to take the champions trophy.
One game per week (the 3:00 pm Saturday game) is broadcast live nationwide on ABC1
.
The teams in the W-League have a salary cap
of A$150,000 for the entire squad. By comparison, the salary cap for clubs in the corresponding mens' competition, the A-League
, is A2.35 million.
-based Canberra United.
The Central Coast Mariners
were forced to withdraw from the 2010-11 season due to a lack of funding. There is hope that in the future, they will be resuscitated.
Other venues used by W-League clubs include:
1 are to play this fixture as a home game against .
2 are to play this fixture as a home game against . It is also a 'curtain raiser' to the second game, to be played by the Mariners. are to play this fixture as a home game against .
Shows Players at current club or last club played for.
Bold denotes players still playing in the W-League.
(*) Denotes players who have played for more than one W-League team.
Last updated 20 November 2011
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
, with the eighth team based in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. As it is sponsored by the Westfield Group, it is presently known
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
as the Westfield W-League.
The W-League's inaugural season
W-League 2008–09
The 2008–09 W-League season was the first season of the W-League, the Australian national women's football competition. The season was played over 10 rounds, followed by a finals series...
commenced on 25 October 2008, with hosting at Members Equity Stadium. After ten rounds, were the top-placed team, becoming the first W-League premiers, and advancing to the semi-finals along with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams. They faced in the W-League Grand Final 2009
W-League Grand Final 2009
The 2008–09 W-League Grand Final was the grand final of the inaugural season of the W-League, the premier league of football in Australia....
, defeating them 2–0 to take the champions trophy.
One game per week (the 3:00 pm Saturday game) is broadcast live nationwide on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
.
The teams in the W-League have a salary cap
Salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
of A$150,000 for the entire squad. By comparison, the salary cap for clubs in the corresponding mens' competition, the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
, is A2.35 million.
Current Clubs
The league was composed of eight teams. Seven were affiliated with the inaugural Australian A-League clubs, and share their names and colours to promote their brands. The eighth club is the CanberraCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
-based Canberra United.
The Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners FC W-League
The Central Coast Mariners FC W-League team, also known as the Central Coast Mariners Women, represented the Central Coast Mariners in the Australian Women's National football League, the W-League for two seasons between 2008 and 2009. In July 2010 it was announced the team would not be entered in...
were forced to withdraw from the 2010-11 season due to a lack of funding. There is hope that in the future, they will be resuscitated.
| lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%;"| Location: Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million... , South Australia South Australia South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United.... (16,500) Coach:  Michael BarnettCaptain: Christina PapageorgiouChristina Papageorgiou Christina Papageorgiou is an Australian football player currently playing for Australian W-League team .With the retirement of Dianne Alagich Papageorgiou was named captain for the 2009 season- References :... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%;"| Location: Brisbane Brisbane Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of... , Queensland Queensland Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Ballymore Stadium Ballymore Stadium Ballymore is the name of a rugby union stadium situated in Herston, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It was the home of Queensland Rugby Union, and used to be the home ground for the Queensland Reds and the Brisbane Strikers Football Club. The Queensland Reds have since moved to Suncorp Stadium... (24,000) Coach: Jeff HopkinsCaptain: Clare PolkinghorneClare Polkinghorne Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne is an Australian football player currently playing for Australian W-League team Queensland Roar.... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%;"| Location: Canberra Canberra Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne... , A.C.T. Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Belconnen Soccer Centre Belconnen Soccer Centre Belconnen Soccer Centre, also known as McKellar Soccer Centre and McKellar Park, is a stadium in the Canberra suburb of McKellar, in Australia. The playing surface is rectangular in shape and is used almost exclusively for football matches... (2,000) Coach: Ray JunnaCaptain: Ellie BrushEllie Brush Ellie Brush is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League. She is also studying physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University.... / Lydia WilliamsLydia Williams Lydia Williams is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.-Early life:... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%;"| Location: Gosford, New South Wales New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... Period: 2008-09 - 2009-10 Ground: Bluetongue Stadium (20,119) Coach: Stephen RocheStephen Roche (coach) Stephen Roche is currently manager of W-League side Central Coast Mariners.-Central Coast Mariners W-League:In 2008 he was named as manager of the new W-League club the Central Coast Mariners women's team.... Captain: Caitlin Cooper |
| lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%;"| Location: Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... , Victoria Victoria (Australia) Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: various Coach: Vicki LintonCaptain: Tal KarpTal Karp Tal Karp is a female Australian football player who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League.-Club career:... / Melissa BarbieriMelissa Barbieri Melissa Anne Barbieri is the current Australian national football goalkeeper and team captain.-Biography:Her height is 168 cm, and weight is 64 kg... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%"| Location: Newcastle, New South Wales Newcastle, New South Wales The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Wanderers Oval (2,000) & EnergyAustralia Stadium (26,164) Coach: Wayne O'SullivanCaptain: Hayley CrawfordHayley Crawford Hayley Crawford is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League.She has represented Australia at the 2002 FIFA World Under 19 Women's Championship.-External links:*... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%"| Location: Perth Perth, Western Australia Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000.... , Western Australia Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Clipsal Stadium (2,000) Coach: John GibsonJohn Gibson John Gibson may refer to:*John Gibson , British architect*John Gibson , English cartographer and engraver*John Gibson , English cricketer... Captain: Tanya OxtobyTanya Oxtoby Tanya Oxtoby is an Australian football player and coach currently playing for Perth Glory in the Australian W-League.- Playing career :... |
lign="center" style="border: solid #e0e0e0; background:#ffffff; width:24%"| Location: Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... , New South Wales New South Wales New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales... Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Sydney Football Stadium (45,500) Coach: Alen StajcicAlen Stajcic Alen Stajcic is a former semi-professional football player and now is a full-time Football coach. While a footballer he was a NSW Premier League player and Australian Youth Representative before a career-ending knee injury... Captain: Heather GarriockHeather Garriock Heather Ann Garriock is an Australian football midfielder currently playing for Sydney FC of the Australian W-League and is a member of the Australian women's national team.-Club career:... |
Stadiums
Primary venues used in the W-League:| Stadium | Capacity | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Etihad Stadium | 56,347 | |
| AAMI Park | 31,000 | |
| Bob Jane Stadium | 15,000 | |
| Epping Stadium Epping Stadium Epping Stadium is an Australian football stadium on Harvest Home Rd in Epping, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. It is currently the home of Whittlesea Zebras and Bundoora United. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000, with approximately 1,000 seats in its one grandstand... |
10,000 | |
| Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre , more commonly known by its former names ANZ Stadium or QE II, is a major sporting facility on the south side of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia... |
49,000 | |
| Perry Park Perry Park, Brisbane Perry Park Stadium is a sporting ground located at Enoggera Park in the Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills.It is known widely as the "spiritual home of association Football" in Queensland.... |
8,000 | |
| Ballymore Stadium Ballymore Stadium Ballymore is the name of a rugby union stadium situated in Herston, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It was the home of Queensland Rugby Union, and used to be the home ground for the Queensland Reds and the Brisbane Strikers Football Club. The Queensland Reds have since moved to Suncorp Stadium... |
24,000 | |
| Wanderers Oval | 2,000 | |
| Energy Australia Stadium | 26,164 | |
| Bluetounge Stadium | 20,119 | |
| Sydney Football Stadium | 45,500 | |
| Members Equity Stadium Members Equity Stadium Perth Oval, known by its sponsored name nib Stadium since July 2010, is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. It has been the home of A-League club Perth Glory since 1996 and has housed the administrative facilities of the Western Australia Rugby League since 2003... |
18,156 | |
| Clipsal Stadium | 2,000 | |
| Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United.... |
16,500 | |
| McKellar Park Belconnen Soccer Centre Belconnen Soccer Centre, also known as McKellar Soccer Centre and McKellar Park, is a stadium in the Canberra suburb of McKellar, in Australia. The playing surface is rectangular in shape and is used almost exclusively for football matches... |
2,000 |
Other venues used by W-League clubs include:
| Stadium | Capacity | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia... |
25,011 | - | Used by in the 2009 season during round 5.1 |
| Leichhardt Oval Leichhardt Oval Leichhardt Oval is a football stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. It is a home ground for the Wests Tigers rugby league team. The stadium has a nominal capacity of 20,000, with recorded highest crowd figures of 23,000 in the 1981 KB Tooth final South Sydney Rabbitohs versus... |
22,000 | - | Used by and in the 2009 season during round 8 as a double-header.2 |
1 are to play this fixture as a home game against .
2 are to play this fixture as a home game against . It is also a 'curtain raiser' to the second game, to be played by the Mariners. are to play this fixture as a home game against .
Referees
The W-League features Women Referees and Assistant Referees from Australia. Referees include:- Sara Hodson
- Lee Corey
- Kirralee Gardener
- Jacqui MelkshamJacqui MelkshamJacqui Melksham is an Australian graphic designer who lives in Murarrie, Queensland. Meklsham also referees football...
- Pru Donohoe
- Amelia MorrisAmelia MorrisAmelia Morris is an Australian association football referee.Morris became a FIFA listed referee in 2006.Morris was a member of the refereeing panel to officiate in the 2008-09 W-League season.-References:...
- Catherine Hoffman
- Kate Jacewicz Jacewicz refereed the inaugural W-League final.
- Casey Reibelt
Champions and Premiers
| Season | Regular season | Grand final | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiers | Points | Runners-up | Champions | Score | Runners-up | |
| 2008–09 Details |
 |
25–17 Ladder |
 |
|
2–0 Grand Final |
 |
| 2009 Details 2009 W-League (Australia) The 2009 W-League season was the second season of the W-League, the Australian national women's football competition. The season was played over 10 rounds followed by a finals series... |
 |
23–22 Ladder |
 |
|
3–2 Grand Final 2009 W-League Grand Final The 2009 W-League Grand Final was the grand final of the second season of the Australian W-League football competition. It was be contested between premiers and third-placed at Toyota Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, 19 December 2009. Sydney FC became the second W-League champions after defeating... |
|
| 2010–11 Details |
|
24–21 Ladder |
|
|
2–1 Grand Final |
|
All Time W-League Leaders
| Rank | Player | Current Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Heyman Michelle Heyman Michelle Heyman is an Australian football who currently plays for Canberra United in the Australian W-League. She played for Sydney FC during the 2008–09 season of the W-League.... * |
|
26 |
| 2 | Leena Khamis Leena Khamis Leena Khamis is an Australian football player who currently plays for Fortuna Hjørring in the Danish Elitedivisionen.-Biography:She represented Australia at the 2004 FIFA World Under 19 Women's Championship in Thailand... |
|
23 |
| 3 | Tameka Butt Tameka Butt Tameka Butt is an Australian female professional football player currently playing as a Midfielder for Australian W-League team .-Honours:... |
|
20 |
| 4 | Kyah Simon Kyah Simon Kyah Pam Simon is an Australian female football player. She currently plays for Sydney FC in the Australian W-League.Kyah made her debut against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, 25 October 2008... * |
|
18 |
| 5 | Lana Harch Lana Harch Lana Harch is an Australian football player currently playing for Australian W-League team Queensland Roar.... |
|
14 |
| 6 | Lisa De Vanna Lisa De Vanna Lisa Marie De Vanna is an Australian football forward currently playing for Newcastle Jets in the W-League in Australia and is a member of the Australian National Team.-Early years & playing style:... * |
|
13 |
| 7 | Katie Gill * |
 |
12 |
| 8 | Tara Andrews |
|
11 |
| 9 | Courtney Beutel Courtney Beutel Courtney Beutel is an Australian football player currently playing for Australian W-League team .-Honours:With Brisbane Roar: W-League Premiership: 2008-09 W-League Championship: 2008-09- References :... |
|
10 |
| Caitlin Munoz Caitlin Munoz Caitlin Munoz is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.... |
|
10 |
Shows Players at current club or last club played for.
Bold denotes players still playing in the W-League.
(*) Denotes players who have played for more than one W-League team.
Last updated 20 November 2011
Current foreign players in the league
- Louisa BisbyLouisa BisbyLouisa Bisby is an Australian football player, born in England, who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League.-References:...
- Katie HolthamKatie HolthamKatie Ann Holtham is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in Australia with Perth Glory, on loan from FA WSL club Doncaster Rovers Belles...
- Jodie Taylor
- Ariane HingstAriane HingstAriane Hingst is a German footballer. Primarily utilized as a defender or a defensive holding, midfielder Hingst announced this summer that she would be retiring from international football with the German national team. In addition it was announced by 1...
- Hoshimi Kishi
- Emma KeteEmma KeteEmma Jillian Kete , is a member of the Football Ferns, the New Zealand women's association football team.-Club career:Kete joined Ottawa Fury Women in July 2009, playing alongside fellow Kiwis Amber Hearn, Hayley Moorwood and Ria Percival at the Canadian W-League club.She signed for FA WSL club...
- Kendall FletcherKendall FletcherKendall Fletcher is an American soccer defender currently playing for Sky Blue FC of Women's Professional Soccer and the of the Australian W-League...
- Ashleigh GunningAshleigh GunningAshleigh Gunning is an American soccer forward who currently plays for in the Australian W-League.-External links:...
- Taryn Hemmings
- Danielle Johnson
- Estelle Johnson
- Allison LipsherAllison LipsherAllison Shelby Lipsher is an American soccer goalkeeper currently playing for Sydney FC of the Australian W-League. Lipsher graduated from Duke University.-External links:* *...
- Megan RapinoeMegan RapinoeMegan Anna Rapinoe is an American soccer midfielder who is currently a free agent in the Women's Professional Soccer League and a member of the United States women's national soccer team...
- Carys HawkinsCarys HawkinsCarys Hawkins is a Welsh-born football player currently playing for Australian W-League team Perth Glory.- References :...
(Perth Glory W-League)
See also
- Women's association football in AustraliaWomen's association football in AustraliaIn Australia, there are over 60,000 registered women's soccer players.Unless specified otherwise, all statistics and references refer exclusively to women.Association football, football and soccer are used interchangeably in this article.-History:...
- Australia women's national association football teamAustralia women's national association football teamThe Australia women's national association football team, nicknamed the Matildas , represents Australia in international women's association football and is governed by Football Federation Australia . The team has regularly qualified for both the Women's World Cup and the Olympics although has won...
- Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) - defunct Australian women's national league