National Premier Leagues NSW

The National Premier Leagues NSW is a semi-professional soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. The competition is conducted by Football NSW, the organising body in New South Wales (the other being the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW organised by Northern NSW Football). The league is a subdivision of the second tier National Premier Leagues (NPL), which sits below the national A-League. Prior to becoming a subdivision of the NPL in 2013, the league was previously known as the NSW Premier League.

National Premier Leagues NSW
Founded2013
2000–2012 (as NSW Premier League)
1992–2000 (as Super League)
1983–1991 (as Division One)
1978–1982 (as Super League)
1956–1977 (as Division One)
Country Australia
StateNew South Wales NSW
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid2
Relegation toNSW League One Men
Domestic cup(s)Australia Cup
Waratah Cup
Current premiersAPIA Leichhardt (2023)
TV partnersNPL.TV
YouTube
Websitewww.nplnsw.com.au
Current: 2023 NPL NSW

History

Origins

Since 1956, a top divisional New South Wales based league has been contested annually in various forms, with its early days remembered as Division One. The league, jointly with other state-based leagues, formed the highest tier of soccer in Australia until the creation of a national league, the National Soccer League (NSL), in 1977. Before NSL, the Ampol Cup also ran concurrently as a state-based cup competition. In 1979 Division One officially changed its name to NSW State League, however, reverted to NSW Division One by 1983. The league continued to be contested throughout the winter months and included another name change in 1992 to the NSW Super League. During the 1980s and 1990s, Melita Eagles and Blacktown City FC were dominant in the league winning nine championships between them.

Foundations

At the end of the 2000 season, the top soccer divisions were revamped with the highest level of soccer being named the Premier League and being played over the summer to align with the then top tier of soccer in Australia (NSL). The second highest NSW league was named the Winter Super League and played throughout 2001. The 2004–05 season saw the return of the New South Wales NSL giants in Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, Wollongong Wolves and Marconi Stallions.[1] This was the result of another overhaul of the entire national league structure. The NSL was abolished and the A-League took its place at the top of the soccer hierarchy in Australia. As this competition significantly reduced the teams from New South Wales to just three (Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets) these clubs were forced to return to the state leagues. The NSW Premier League continued to be run over summer throughout this period but after the 2004–05 season reverted to a winter competition from 2006.

In 2008 the whole New South Wales men's, women's and youth competitions were reconstructed to align youth teams with their respective senior clubs along with women's teams.

Development

In 2013 the FFA announced another re-structure, this time to the tier 2 level of soccer in Australia. This saw the top league in each state united under a single banner called the National Premier Leagues, with the NSW Premier League rebranded as the National Premier Leagues NSW.[2] Bonnyrigg White Eagles became the inaugural champions of this competition after defeating Rockdale City Suns 1–0 in the final. Sydney United 58 FC were crowned premiers after placing first in the standing at the end of the regular season, earning the right to compete in the inaugural National Premier Leagues Finals. Sydney United went on to win this tournament defeating Tasmanian side South Hobart FC 2–0 in the final. In 2014, premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles failed to reach the grand final and Blacktown City FC were crowned champions. They defeated Sydney Olympic 2–1 after extra time.

Name Changes

SeasonsTitle
1956–1977Division 1
1978–1982State League
1983–1991NSW Division One
1992–2000NSW Super League
2000–2012NSW Premier League
2013–presentNational Premier Leagues NSW
Source: OzFootball

Competition format

League

There are 30 Rounds in total with each team playing each other twice; home and away.

NPL national finals

At the completion of the league series, the NPL NSW top of the table joins the winners from the other NPL subdivisions in a national eight team finals series. The national final series consists of a three-round knock-out series based on geographically close subdivision champions playing each other, culminating in a grand final.

Clubs

The following clubs were competing in the National Premier Leagues NSW for the 2023 season.

Club Seasons Location Grounds Capacity
APIA Leichhardt 10 Leichhardt Lambert Park 7,000
Blacktown City 10 Blacktown Lily Homes Stadium 7,500
Bulls FC Academy 4 Edensor Park Sydney United Sports Centre 12,000
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2 Lisarow Pluim Park 2,000
Manly United 10 Dee Why Cromer Park 5,000
Marconi Stallions 8 Bossley Park Marconi Stadium 9,000
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 5 Mount Druitt Popondetta Park 1,000
NWS Spirit 1 Macquarie Park Christie Park 2,000
Rockdale Ilinden 10 Rockdale Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre 5,000
St George City 1 Peakhurst Peakhurst Park 1,000
Sutherland Sharks 9 Miranda Seymour Shaw Park 5,000
Sydney FC Youth 6 Glenwood Valentine Sports Park 4,000
Sydney Olympic 10 Belmore Belmore Sports Ground 20,000
Sydney United 58 10 Edensor Park Sydney United Sports Centre 12,000
Western Sydney Wanderers Youth 1 Rooty Hill Wanderers Football Park 3,000
Wollongong Wolves 10 Wollongong WIN Stadium 23,750

National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1 Honours

Season Regular season Finals series NPL Finals Representation
Premiers
(number of titles)
Runners-upChampions
(number of titles)
ScoreFinalists
2013 Sydney United 58 FC (7)Sutherland Sharks FC Bonnyrigg White Eagles (3)1–0Rockdale City SunsSydney United 58 FCChampions
2014 Bonnyrigg White Eagles (6)Blacktown Spartans Blacktown City (7)2–1Sydney OlympicBonnyrigg White Eagles – Runners-up
2015 Blacktown City (8)APIA Leichhardt Tigers Bonnyrigg White Eagles (4)2–0Blacktown CityBlacktown CityChampions
2016 Sydney United 58 FC (8)Blacktown City Blacktown City (8)3–0Sydney United 58 FCSydney United 58 FCChampions
2017 APIA Leichhardt Tigers (5)Blacktown City Manly United (2)0–0 (4–3 (p))APIA Leichhardt TigersAPIA Leichhardt Tigers – Semi-finalists
2018 Sydney Olympic (3)APIA Leichhardt Tigers Sydney Olympic (3)3–1APIA Leichhardt TigersSydney Olympic – Semi-finalists
2019 Wollongong Wolves (2)APIA Leichhardt Tigers APIA Leichhardt Tigers (6)2–1Sydney United 58 FCWollongong WolvesChampions
2020 Rockdale City SunsWollongong WolvesSydney United 58 FC (5)3–3 (4–2 (p))Rockdale City Suns[lower-alpha 1]
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[4]
2022 Sydney Olympic (3)Manly United Blacktown City2-0Manly United[lower-alpha 2]

Notes:

  • Bold indicates Federation Double winners – i.e. League Championship and League Premiership OR League Championship and Federation/Waratah Cup OR League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup
  • Bold and Underlined indicates Federation Treble winners – i.e. League Championship, League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup winners

Honours pre-NPL (1957–2012)

Season Competition Regular season Finals series
Premiers
(number of titles)
Runners-upChampions
(number of titles)
ScoreFinalists
1957Division One Canterbury-MarrickvilleAuburn Auburn4–3Canterbury-Marrickville
1958Division One Corrimal UnitedCanterbury-Marrickville Canterbury-Marrickville2–1Auburn
1959Division One PragueAPIA Leichhardt Prague3–2APIA Leichhardt
1960Division One Prague (2)APIA Leichhardt Canterbury-Marrickville (2)5–2Prague
1961Division One Prague (3)Canterbury-Marrickville Hakoah4–1Canterbury-Marrickville
1962Division One BudapestHakoah Hakoah (2)4–2Budapest
1963Division One Prague (4)APIA Leichhardt South Coast United4–0APIA Leichhardt
1964Division One APIA LeichhardtSt George-Budapest APIA Leichhardt7–2St George-Budapest
1965Division One South Coast UnitedSt George-Budapest APIA Leichhardt (2)2–0St George-Budapest
1966Division One APIA Leichhardt (2)Hakoah Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (3)2–1APIA Leichhardt
1967Division One APIA Leichhardt (3)St George-Budapest St George-Budapest5–2APIA Leichhardt
1968Division One Hakoah Eastern SuburbsPan-Hellenic Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (4)4–2Pan-Hellenic
1969Division One South Coast United (3)St George-Budapest APIA Leichhardt (3)3–2St George-Budapest
1970Division One Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (2)St George-Budapest YUGAL Ryde4–0St George-Budapest
1971Division One Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (3)St George-Budapest St George-Budapest (2)3–2Western Suburbs
1972Division One St George-Budapest (2)Marconi-Fairfield Marconi-Fairfield1–0St George-Budapest
1973Division One Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (4)Marconi-Fairfield Marconi-Fairfield (2)2–1Hakoah Eastern Suburbs
1974Division One Hakoah Eastern Suburbs (5)APIA Leichhardt St George-Budapest (3)4–2Hakoah Eastern Suburbs
1975Division One APIA Leichhardt (4)St George-Budapest St George-Budapest (4)1–0APIA Leichhardt
1976Division One St George-Budapest (3)APIA Leichhardt APIA Leichhardt (4)1–0St George-Budapest
1977 Introduction of the National Soccer League
1977Division One Croatia SydneyAPIA Leichhardt Croatia Sydney2–0Auburn
1978Division One Croatia Sydney (2)Sutherland Shire Sutherland Shire1–1
2–1 (replay)
Croatia Sydney
1979State League Croatia Sydney (3)Inter Monaro Inter Monaro2–1Sutherland Shire
1980State League Melita EaglesSydney Olympic Sydney Olympic4–0Melita Eagles
1981State League Croatia Sydney (4)St George-Budapest St George-Budapest (5)1–0Croatia Sydney
1982State League Croatia Sydney (5)Riverwood Croatia Sydney (2)2–1Sutherland Shire
1983NSW Division One Melita Eagles (2)Croatia Sydney Croatia Sydney (3)1–1 (a.e.t.)
0–0 (replay)
4–3 (p)
Melita Eagles
1984NSW Division One Inter MonaroRockdale Ilinden Rockdale Ilinden3–2Inter Monaro
1985NSW Division One Canterbury-Marrickville Olympic (2)Fairy Meadow Melita Eagles4–0Fairy Meadow
1986NSW Division One Melita Eagles (3)Manly Warringah Sutherland Shire (2)2–1Melita Eagles
1987NSW Division One Wollongong CityCanberra City Wollongong City2–1Canberra City
1988NSW Division One Blacktown CityMelita Eagles Melita Eagles (2)0–0
7–6 (p)
Blacktown City
1989NSW Division One Melita Eagles (4)Canberra Croatia Melita Eagles (3)2–0Canberra Croatia
1990NSW Division One Wollongong MacedoniaCanberra Croatia Wollongong Macedonia2–0Canberra Croatia
1991NSW Division One Sutherland SharksBlacktown City Blacktown City3–0Canberra Metro
1992NSW Super League AvalaManly Warringah Dolphins Avala2–0Blacktown City
1993NSW Super League Blacktown City (2)Bankstown City Bankstown City1–0Blacktown City
1994NSW Super League Bankstown CityCanterbury-Marrickville Bankstown City (2)3–1Canterbury-Marrickville
1995NSW Super League Manly Warringah DolphinsBlacktown City Manly Warringah Dolphins1–0Blacktown City
1996NSW Super League Adamstown Rosebud1
Parramatta Eagles2
Sutherland Sharks1, 2 Parramatta Eagles (4)1–1
5–3 (p)
Adamstown Rosebud
1997NSW Super League Parramatta Eagles (5)APIA Leichhardt Parramatta Eagles (5)3–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles
1998NSW Super League Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2)Blacktown City Blacktown City (2)1–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
1999NSW Super League Bonnyrigg White Eagles (3)Blacktown City Blacktown City (3)5–1Parramatta Eagles
2000NSW Super League Blacktown City (3)Bonnyrigg White Eagles Blacktown City (4)2–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2000–01NSW Premier League Blacktown City Demons (4)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2)3–1Blacktown City Demons
2001–02NSW Premier League Parramatta Eagles (6)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC Parramatta Eagles (6)1–0Blacktown City Demons
2002–03NSW Premier League Blacktown City Demons (5)APIA Tigers APIA Leichhardt Tigers (5)3–1Blacktown City Demons
2003–04NSW Premier League Belconnen Blue DevilsSt. George Saints Bankstown City Lions (3)2–0Belconnen Blue Devils
2004–05NSW Premier League Bankstown City Lions FC (2)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC Bankstown City Lions (4)3–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
2006NSW Premier League Blacktown City (6)Bankstown City Lions FC Sydney United (4)4–0Blacktown City Demons FC
2007NSW Premier League Blacktown City (7)Bankstown City Lions FC Blacktown City (5)3–1Bankstown City Lions FC
2008NSW Premier League Sutherland Sharks (2)Wollongong FC Wollongong FC (2)4–2Sutherland Sharks FC
2009NSW Premier League Sydney United (6)Marconi Stallions FC Sutherland Sharks (3)4–1Marconi Stallions
2010NSW Premier League Bonnyrigg White Eagles (4)Blacktown City Demons FC Blacktown City FC (6)1–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2011NSW Premier League Sydney OlympicSydney United FC Sydney Olympic (2)2–0Sydney United
2012NSW Premier League Bonnyrigg White Eagles (5)Sydney Olympic FC Marconi Stallions (3)2–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Source: SoccerAust
1 1996 season divided into two stages. Stage 1: Premiers (Adamstown), Runners-up (Sutherland)
2 1996 season divided into two stages. Stage 2: Premiers (Parramatta), Runners-up (Sutherland)

Bold indicates Federation Double winners – i.e. League Championship and League Premiership OR League Championship and Federation/Waratah Cup OR League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup
Bold and Underlined indicates Federation Treble winners – i.e. League Championship, League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup winners

All-time honour board

This list includes all champions and premiers since the inaugural league of 1957. Grand finals have occurred during all seasons of the league over this time. As the 1996 season was split into two stages there was no official premier for the season.

Club Regular season premierships Finals series championships
Premiers Winning seasons Champions Winning grand finals
Blacktown City 81988, 1993, 2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2007, 2015 81991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016
Sydney United 58 81977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2009, 2013, 2016 51977, 1982, 1983, 2006, 2020
Parramatta FC 61980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1997, 2001–02 61985, 1988, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2002
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 61992, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2012, 2014 41992, 2001, 2013, 2015
APIA Leichhardt 61964, 1965, 1967, 1975, 2017, 2023 61964, 1965, 1969, 1976, 2003, 2019
Hakoah Sydney City East FC 51968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974 41961, 1962, 1966, 1968
Prague 41959, 1960, 1961, 1963 11959
St George FC 31962, 1972, 1976 51967, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1981
Sydney Olympic 32011, 2018, 2022 31980, 2011, 2018
Safeway United 31958, 1966, 1969 11963
Bankstown City Lions 21994, 2004–05 41993, 1994, 2004, 2005
Sutherland Sharks 21991, 2008 31978, 1986, 2009
Canterbury-Marrickville 21957, 1985 21958, 1960
Wollongong Wolves 21987, 2019 21987, 2008
Manly United 11995 21995, 2017
Inter Monaro 11984 11979
Wollongong United 11990 11990
Rockdale City Suns/Rockdale Ilinden 12020 11984
Belconnen Blue Devils 12003–04
Marconi Stallions 31972, 1973, 2012
Auburn 11957
YUGAL Ryde 11970

Broadcasting

As of 2012, all matches have been filmed and a weekly highlights package has been made available online, while the grand final has been streamed live through Football NSW since 2013.

See also

References

  1. "2004/05 Premier League Season Review".
  2. "FFA launches National Premier Leagues". Football Federation Australia. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  3. "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game. SBS. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  4. "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

Notes

  1. NPL finals series cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[3]
  2. Not held
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