By: Russ Gibbs 

We may be set for a shortened NPLW season in 2020, but there is much to be excited about at the local level.

New coaches, including a changing of the guard at Belconnen United, and new talent bring a freshness to the competition, are set to make this a memorable year.

After the COVID-19 lockdown, and with fewer fixtures, there is no room for error for any of the nine sides comprising this division. So, what can we expect? 

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BELCONNEN UNITED

Last Season: 1^st (won Grand Final)
Head Coach: Ahmed UGOOL
In: Latisha BABIC (Canberra United Academy), Olivia BOMFORD (Olympia Warriors), Mia GIORGI (Gungahlin United), Bianca KIMPTON (Canberra United Academy), Jasmine MAGUIRE (North Shore Mariners), Mia McGOVERN (Canberra United Academy), Vanessa RYAN (Canberra FC)
Out: Sally JAMES (Illawarra Stingrays), Lauren KEIR (Illawarra Stingrays), Caitlin MUNOZ (Retired), Bronte PYKE (Illawarra Stingrays), Madelyn WHITTALL

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

22/2 v North Shore Mariners (a) L 1-5 (Bobbin)

The impossible job might be an apt description of what faces new Head Coach Ahmed Ugool as the rookie, thrust into the hot-seat following the resignation of previous occupant Alen Marin, follows in the considerable footsteps of the legendary Antoni Jagarinec at Belconnen United. The Blue Devils swept all before them on the way to a treble in 2019 and will start as hot favourites once more. There are some notable departures from the group, including goalkeeper Sally James and defenders Lauren Keir and Bronte Pyke, as well as midfield star Caitlin Munoz. A new wave of young talent is set to shine bright though and Mia McGovern, a midfielder with a sure touch, is a great pick-up from the Canberra United Academy. The Blue Devils are the team to beat once again.

CANBERRA FC

Last Season: 2^nd (lost in Grand Final)
Head Coach: Nik BROZINIC

In: Isabella BARAC (Canberra United Academy), Ally HINSON (Canberra United Academy), Rhiannon FENSOM (Victoria), Grace FIELD (Sabbatical), Cecilia MATIC (NSW), Anna BENNETT. 
Out: Ivana GALIC (Macarthur Rams), Rachel GOLDSTEIN (Macarthur Rams), Vanessa RYAN (Belconnen United), Isabella TAMMARO, Nat VASTA, Bridget WRIGHT (Study)

The culmination of the 2019 season may have left a bitter taste in the mouth at Deakin Stadium, bit that shouldn’t take away from the fact the Croatian club enjoyed a tremendous campaign. Reaching the semi-finals of the Federation Cup and the Grand Final were terrific achievements and only the majesty of the Belconnen juggernaut prevented them from claiming silverware. The addition of Grace Field to the squad helps to offset the loss of 23-goal Rachael Goldstein, whilst young Academy goalkeeper Ally Hinson comes in to provide the last line of defence between the posts. The question remains, can Canberra FC kick-on and provide the silverware that their performances have merited? The next few months will provide a tantalising answer. 

CANBERRA OLYMPIC

Last Season: 9^th
Head Coach: Andrew Woodman
In: Nicole BEGG (Sabbatical), Kellie BROWN (Southern Branch), Lara BURDETT (Monaro Panthers), Sienna FARRAR (Monaro Panthers), Ella HEMMINGS (Monaro Panthers), Emily HOFFMAN (Belconnen United), Chloe RUDD (Belconnen United), Ashleigh SYKES (Sabbatical)
Out: Laura BERRY (Newcastle), Emily DILLON, Rose WILLS (Sydney)

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

v Gladesville Ravens (a) W 2-1 (Begg, own goal)

v Southern Branch (a) W 3-2 (Guo (2), Farrar)

v Canberra United Academy (h) W 2-1 (Begg (2))

Finishing last in 2019, with only two wins and two draws amounting to eight points form sixteen matches, means there is plenty of work to be done for the Canberra Olympic Head Coach Andrew Woodman. A turnover in players from 2018 contributed to their yo-yo form, but Woodman has strengthened in key areas and the inclusion of former Canberra United duo Ashleigh Sykes and Nicole Begg could prove inspirational. Add in some exciting young talent from interstate and Olympic start to look a different proposition. Whilst few would bet on them pushing for the top of the table, they have more than enough potential to cause an upset or two.

CANBERRA UNITED ACADEMY

Last Season: 3^rd (lost in Preliminary Final)

Head Coach: Scott O’Donell (interim)

In: Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON, Tayla HAMPSON, Anna HUNT, Alexandra GIDIS, Katie TYO

Out: Isabella BARAC (Canberra FC), Ally HINSON (Canberra FC), Bianca KIMPTON (Belconnen United), Steffi LEJINS (Gungahlin United), Mia McGOVERN (Belconnen United), Tianah MIRO (Gungahlin United), Demi NIKIAS (Woden-Weston Wanderers)

As ever there are changes in the Canberra United set-up with Scot O’Donell handed the task of leading the squad on an interim basis following the departure of Canberra United head coach Heather Garriock. O’Donell will call on the W-League experience of his young group with Hayley Taylor-Young, scorer of 30 league goals in 2019, making the breakthrough at the elite women’s level over the summer. Expect big seasons from the Grove sisters, Annie at the back and Sasha at the front, as they look to kick-on from the promise shown in their debut campaign in the NPLW.

GUNGAHLIN UNITED

Last Season: 4^th (lost in Elimination Final)
Head Coach: Diego IGLESIAS
In: Teah HAYES (Woden-Weston NPL Boys), Steffi LEJINS (Canberra United Academy), Tianah MIRO (Canberra United Academy), Ayla ROBERTSON (Belconnen United)

Out: None

Diego Iglesias heads into the 2020 season with a settled squad at Gungahlin United, managing to retain the core of the team that did well to push for third throughout the year, ultimately falling just two points shy of that honour. The Gunners would have been disappointed to lose 2-4 to the Canberra United Academy in the Elimination Final, ending their outside hopes of a Grand Final spot at the first hurdle, but they have enough quality in their ranks to push on this year. Luring Steffi Lejins, an elegant and hard-working wide player form the Academy, and the huge potential of Ayla Robertson from Belconnen United, will fortify their position and Iglesias’ team will be aiming to push for higher honours this time around.

MONARO PANTHERS

Last Season: 7^th
Head Coach: Paul Townsley
In: Sophie ANDRIOLO (Robina FC), Kassandra GUIGLIEMIN (Tuggeranong United), Rachel HARDWICKE (Wagga City Wanderers), Nikita HEWLETT (Sabbatical), Janet KING (Wolumla Tigers), Tayla WILSON (Wolumla Tigers), Taylah ZANNOTTO (Woden-Weston Wanderers) 
Out: Alyssa BOZINOVSKA (Tuggeranong United), Sophia FURLANETTO (Tuggeranong United), Charlotte GRANDY (ANU WFC), Kaitlyn JOY (USA), Alicia MEURONEN (Illawarra Stingrays), Kelly STIRTON, Chris YIP-AU (Singapore)

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

v Woden-Weston Wanderers (a) L 0-5

All change over at the Riverside Stadium as Paul Townsley takes the reigns for the first time at this level. The amiable Englishman has had to play with a juggled pack in the build-up to the season with a swathe of new players heading into the Panthers den. Interstate talent has been added to the roster over in Queanbeyan with Sophie Andriolo arriving from Robina in Queensland whilst Janet King and Tayla Wilson join from Wolumla Tigers. The loss of Alicia Meuronen and Kaitlyn Joy, joint top-scorers with four each from 2019, will hurt, so Townsley will be looking for his young charges to step up and fill that void.

TUGGERANONG UNITED

Last Season: 6^th
Head Coach: Michael ALDRED
In: Alyssa BOZINOVSKA (Monaro Panthers), Jackie FISHER (Queensland), Sofia FURLANETTO (Monaro Panthers), Bella SANZARI (University of NSW)
Out: Amber HARVEY

A new season brings new promise for Michael Aldred and his Tuggeranong United team as they look to shake off the disappointment of the 2019 campaign. Whilst their thirteen points was enough to give them then bragging rights of the teams outside the top five, they will need to add to their win column if they are to push for the top spots. The signing of Monaro Panthers duo Alyssa Bozinovska and Sofia Furlanetto will add to their energy around the park, but it’s up-front where improvement is required. Only fourteen goals in 16 matches tells its own story. Improve on that and United may surprise a few of the more fancied teams.

WODEN-WESTON WANDERERS FC

Last Season: 5^th

Head Coach: Mark BOYD

In: Hannah COPPELL (Promoted), Lucy D’ARCY (Canberra FC), Demi NIKIAS (Canberra United Academy), Julia STANTON (Woden-Weston Wanderers U16 Boys)
Out: Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON (Canberra United Academy), Alex MACKENZIE (Woden-Weston Wanderers U18 Boys)

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

v Marconi Stallions (a) L 0-3

v Monaro Panthers (h) W 5-0 (Vandenbroucke (2), De Andrade (2), Millar-Carton)

Woden-Weston Wanderers head into the new season bolstered by the arrival of four new players as they look to improve on their fifth-place position of 2019. The loss of Alex Mackenzie, she will play with the Woden-Weston FC Boys Youth team this term, will be hard to replace, but the acquisition of the skilful Demi Nikias and Lucy D’Arcy will help to offset that loss. Look for the pace and finishing of Anna Vandenbroucke, top scorer with nine goals in all competitions last year, to lead the line. She was looking in fine form pre-lockdown, combining well with Iesha De Andrade in a pre-season romp against Monaro Panthers.

WAGGA CITY WANDERERS

Last Season: 7^th

Head Coach: Sam GRAY
In: Amanda ARMSTRONG (Newcastle), Ainsley FILES (Hanwood FC), Niki KRAJACIC (Canberra Olympic), Olivia MOORE (Canberra Olympic), Miranda WALKER (ADFA)
Out: Brooke GAYLER, Christina GRAUER-KOMPOS, Rachel HARDWICKE (Monaro Panthers), Fiona RYAN, Jenny WOODBURY

Wagga City Wanderers appeared to be relying on their production line of quality youth for the new campaign by permanently promoting a clutch of their highly successful U17 squad. This group already contains players with experience of playing WNPL last season with strikers Megan Castle and Tess Vaccari, as well as the impressive Tia Lyons, all seeing extensive game-time in first grade, with Castle and Vaccari both netting three times. Playmaking duties will likely fall to Piper Lockley, who showed a great touch, brilliant technique, and an eye for a pass in last year’s competition. As ever, travel and fatigue may play a factor with Wanderers, but Sam Gray has a young and energetic group to waylay those fears.