NPL/WSL double-headers, Friday night fixtures and ‘home days’ featuring multiple teams from the same club playing back-to-back are among the highlights of this season’s NPL and WSL fixtures, released by Football Tasmania today.
15 teams from 10 clubs will compete in 147 matches across the 21-round MyState Bank Women’s Super League (WSL) and McDonald’s National Premier Leagues Tasmania (NPL) this season, all aiming to be crowned the best team in the state.
A COVID back-up round has been implemented to minimise interruptions to rosters if matches need to be postponed.
The 2022 season kicks off with a bang, with Olympia FC hosting South Hobart for a WSL/NPL double-header at Empire Couriers Park.
Runaway WSL champions Clarence Zebras begin their title defence with a tricky away fixture against last season’s runner-up Launceston United.
In the NPL, titleholders Glenorchy Knights will be keen to pick up where they left off last year, taking on wooden-spooners Riverside Olympic at KGV in the opening match of their campaign.
Kingborough and Olympia will battle it out for ANZAC Day honours at Clennett’s Lightwood Park, with matches taking place between the clubs’ WSL, NPL, men’s Championship and men’s Championship One sides.
In other highlights, further NPL/WSL double headers are set to take place throughout the season, while Launceston NPL fans face the tantalising prospect of not one, but three Friday night derbies between local rivals Launceston City and Riverside Olympic.
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said the fixture list represented the strength of the World Game in the state.
“It’s wonderful to welcome in another year of top-flight, statewide football for both women and men in Tasmania with the release of 2022 fixtures,” Mr Bulkeley said.
“Last year the MyState Bank Women’s Super League became a truly statewide competition, expanding to seven teams representing all major regions.
“This year we’ve put a real focus on maximising opportunities for both the NPL and WSL competitions to play together at the same venues which will offer complete club matchday experiences for fans and players alike.
“We’re also delighted to offer fans more Friday night fixtures – particularly in Launceston where night matches between local rivals Riverside Olympic and Launceston City have become must-see events.
“I wish all teams the very best for another successful season of statewide football.”
2022 NPL fixture list available here: https://websites.mygameday.app/comp_info.cgi?a=FIXTURE&compID=598955&c=0-8296-0-0-0
2022 WSL fixture list available here: https://websites.mygameday.app/comp_info.cgi?a=FIXTURE&compID=598957&c=0-8296-0-0-0
Photo courtesy of Solstice Digital