Sydney FC’s W-League side will commence the defence of their title on Saturday 6 November against the Brisbane Roar at Ballymore Stadium.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today released the Westfield W-League 2010/11 season draw.
The Westfield W-League enters its third season with the opening match featuring Westfield W-League 2009 Champions Sydney FC against season one Champions Brisbane Roar in a Westfield W-League 2009 Grand Final re-match at Ballymore Stadium.
The Sky Blues will play home at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Campbelltown Stadium and Seymour Shaw Park throughout the season, taking the football message to all parts of New South Wales.
ABC TV will again cover the ‘match of the week- live and exclusive on ABC1 and ABCHD throughout the 12 week competition and Westfield W-League 2011 Finals Series.
Westfield W-League 2010/11 will see the newly constructed 7 team competition play 35 matches over the 12 week season from the November 6 kick-off and finish on February 12 with the Westfield W-League 2011 Grand Final.
This season sees Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Canberra United, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Sydney FC challenge for a place in the Westfield W-League 2011 Grand Final but also a chance for individuals to audition for a place in Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni-s FIFA Women-s World Cup 2011TM plans.
Sydney FC and Westfield Matildas striker Sarah Walsh, currently in the US with her WPS team Boston Breakers, believes this season will be the best yet as the Westfield Matildas move into a FIFA Women-s World Cup year.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Australia and playing with Sydney,” said Walsh.
“We had such a strong team last year with a lot of individual talent but the key for us was the fact we combined that with hard work throughout the entire season.
“I believe this season won’t be much different in regards to the amount of talent we should have considering we boast many Westfield Matildas, however it will be a matter of playing consistent football over the course of the whole season, and producing the football everyone comes to expect of us game after game.
“The first game should be very exciting, not only for us as players but also the fans, who will be witnessing a replay of last years- Grand Final.
“A lot of players from both teams, in my opinion, have improved a considerable amount individually since last season-s Westfield W-League and a lot of players will be playing with that new found confidence coming off the back of our (AFC Women-s) Asian Cup win, so the game should be of much greater quality.”
Brisbane Roar will again be aiming to continue their form that has seen them dominate over the first two seasons.
“I-m very excited for the new season and to come up against Sydney first up will be a huge match and really be a litmus test for our season,” said Brisbane Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne.
“It was gutting to lose the final last season, but I think that loss will only make us stronger and hungrier this season.”
The Westfield W-League will again see the top four teams from the 12 week season face off for spot in the Westfield W-League 2011 Grand Final on February 12.
The 2010/11 season will see matches taken to more areas in Australia to showcase the elite pathway for women in football including matches in Wollongong, Geelong and Campbelltown.
