TWO new teams will join the State’s Women’s Super League when it resumes in 2024, boosting the league to eight teams.
Glenorchy Knights and Riverside Olympic – both of which already field teams in the men’s National Premier Leagues Tasmania competition – will also be represented by women’s teams when the competition returns next year.
The new sides will join the six existing WSL clubs – Taroona, Kingborough Lions, Launceston United, Devonport City Strikers, Clarence Zebras and South Hobart.
Football Tasmania CEO Tony Pignata said he was thrilled by the expansion of the league.
“We’re excited to announce the expansion of the WSL today to eight sides,” he said.
“We know there will be increased interest in women’s football following the enormous success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and we know this will translate to increased interest and participation in our own women’s game here in Tasmania.
“We congratulate Glenorchy Knights and Riverside Olympic for their efforts in demonstrating their commitment to fielding sides at the highest level and look forward to welcoming them to the competition next year.”
The men’s National Premier Leagues Tasmania competition will remain unchanged, with the eight current sides continuing – Kingborough Lions, Launceston United, Launceston City, Devonport City Strikers, Clarence Zebras, South Hobart, Glenorchy Knights, and Riverside Olympic.
Mr Pignata said he looked forward to expanding the NPL to ten teams in future.|
“We had discussions with a number of other club presidents and look forward to working with clubs who aspire to compete in both the NPL and WSL in the coming years,” he said.
Participating club presidents will meet with Football Tasmania in November, ahead of finalising the 2024 competitions, which will begin in March.
Edit - Football Tasmania will proceed with a seven-side WSL competition in 2024, after the withdrawal of Clarence Zebras from the league.