Ahead of their first-ever season in the NPLW WA, Ben Gilby spoke to UWA-Nedlands’ president Alexandra Lyons, and head coach Lawrence Lewis about the process that saw them become the competition’s first-ever newly promoted club, and the challenges ahead (14/2/24)
Above: The UWA-Nedlands squad celebrate their State League Night Series success last season. Photo: Football West/Fotoenzo.
UWA-Nedlands are getting in their final preparations for a huge 2024. After making the step up from the State League to the NPLW WA, the club is less than 10 days out from commencing the campaign with the Night Series.
That opening game, on 23rd February, away to Balcatta Etna, will be the culmination of a number of years striving to gain top-tier status that they held prior to the introduction of the NPL in Western Australia.
Club president Alexandra Lyons outlined the long journey that they have been on. “We’ve been actively preparing and investing in our program conscious of the potential requirements since not long after the NPLW was formed – having been in the Premier League in its previous iterations, it was always on the radar to return once we had our ducks in a row and a sustainable successful program.”
Last year saw the announcement that promotion and relegation would be open between the NPLW WA and the State League, in line with other states across Australia – as long as clubs could meet a range of criteria based on both on and off-pitch circumstances.
Lyons outlined the club’s determination to make the grade. “Once the league entry mechanism became available to us, the goal for 2023 was definitely to gain that promotion, as we felt that as a club we were ready and that we could add value to the pathway for female football by being a part of the NPLW.
“The licensing process itself for the first time is definitely a step up in terms of club administration – but from my point of view, most of the requirements should be good practice for any large club, and especially one that wants to be competing in professional or semi-professional leagues.”
UWA-Nedlands can point to a long-term commitment to women’s and girls’ football, with the club president outlining: “We are celebrating our 75th year in 2024, and female football has had a strong history throughout that period. UWA (University of Western Australia) Soccer Club seniors and Nedlands Football Club (mostly juniors) merged in 2010, and both originating clubs had women’s and girls’ teams. Some of those girls and women, who were part of the pre-merger teams are still playing today more than 14 years later, which I think is a testament to the club’s environment.
“Many of our current players, particularly younger players and those not from Perth, and those playing in our lower division teams connect with the club through the University. It’s a great entry point for recruitment and retention factor in our more social teams – and we’ve seen many great players who didn’t realise they were good enough for a higher level team, progress in through this pathway.
“Certainly over the last decade, UWANFC has consistently had some of the highest numbers of female teams participating in competitions (plus over 200 girls playing in our in-house Joey Soccer program). Having a connection with UWA itself has certainly helped in that regard, as well as a local demographic with high female participation in sport.
“Despite relatively high numbers previously, we’ve experienced a step change in female participation and results since the appointment of Lawrence Lewis to the Female Technical Director role about five years ago, and the development and delivery on our Female Football Plan, which is now on its second iteration.
“In 2023, we doubled the number of youth girls teams from four to eight, and that was before the success of the Women’s World Cup. We’ll now be able to offer three streams for our youth girls with the benefit of numbers in 2024, further improving our member experience – and we are looking at having six or seven women’s teams this year – a massive achievement.
“On reflection, we’ve always had the factors for success in the female game, and a decade ago were a common stay in the Premier League (the top tier of WA women’s football prior to the NPLW’s introduction), but have truly begun to realise that in a sustainable fashion since dedicating strategic effort and personnel to it.
“We have the benefit of size, which not all clubs have – but the principles of inclusivity, focus on quality coaching, and not just copy and pasting an approach for boys onto girls are things that I think any club can take on. Unlike the male side of the game, which is quite set in its ways, there is a great opportunity for female football to set its own vision of how it will come to maturity, and grassroots clubs can seize that and drive that change.”
UWA-Nedlands finally made the step into the NPLW WA, replacing Curtin University, who finished bottom at the end of 2023. They did so by finishing third in Division One of the State League amidst a tough battle with Hamersley United who finished top, and Perth AFC who were runners-up.
Head coach Lawrence Lewis reflected on the exciting competition between those three teams at the top of the table last season. “It definitely was a tussle for sure! Hamersley were able to recruit big and bring in some ex-NPL players with good experience and quality which allowed them to step up a gear big time. They were solid at the back and had some real quality in their forward line that usually meant they could score at any time during the game.
“Perth AFC have always been tough opponents for us, home and away and Rob Caruso has done a fantastic job in building that club up. Their Futsal roots bring in some high-quality players that gave us real trouble when playing them. In terms of ourselves, we have been able to drive a certain style of play from our juniors to our seniors that allows for good build-up play and wing play. Which is always great for our junior players to come and watch.”
The challenge on the pitch continued off it in the close season as the club looked to offer both improved facilities and a squad to sustain their newly earned status.
“We had to spend a lot of time working with our stakeholders in particular regards to our facilities, as a club not blessed with modern facilities – and are glad to have met the minimum requirements,” said Lyons.
“From an off-the-pitch perspective, my personal focus as President in 2024 is to advocate for and unlock the funding that we need to bring our facilities to a more fit-for-purpose level for all of our members – we are a club with over 1,500 members, with only four changerooms at our home ground.”
In terms of getting the team ready for the task at hand, head coach Lewis has been hard at work with his players for some time. “Preparations started well before Christmas, thus allowing us more time with the squad. We know that it will be a tough season, so getting the ball rolling early with the players’ pre-season work is key.
“We have been able to add players into the squad that come with NPL and similar experience, which is great for us and gives us an extra step in the right direction. Also bringing in support in the way of Salv Todaro as assistant coach has been great. He has been part of the NTC setup for some time now and has had spells at NPLM level also. He brings a wealth of experience to the club which we are very grateful for.
“In terms of recruitment, we have been able to secure players with NPL experience like Katie Schubert and some US-based players who have played there at college level and in Spain also, Michaela Thawley and Morgan Springer. Our captain Emily Dinsdale has been with the squad for the past few years and will also be key for us this season too.”
In terms of their first exposure to NPLW level competition, UWA-Nedlands commence their Night Series group stage campaign next Friday night away to Balcatta Etna. After that encounter come round-robin clashes against two of the most consistently successful NPLW WA teams of the last few seasons – Perth RedStar, and Hyundai NTC. It is a baptism of fire for sure, but one that excites both Lewis and his players.
“The anticipation within our team is high, especially considering the group we are in with those heavy hitters. The prospect of facing such strong teams in the Night Series adds an extra layer of excitement and eagerness within our squad.
“We recognize that these matches will serve as crucial tests, providing valuable insights into the level of competition in the new league. Our focus is on embracing the challenge, learning from these encounters, and using them as opportunities to gauge our strengths and areas for improvement. The atmosphere within the team is one of determination and unity as we prepare to make a mark in the Night Series and lay the foundations for a good campaign in the league ahead.”
In terms of his aims for the club’s inaugural season at NPLW WA level, Lewis is positive if realistic. “As this is the first time that a team has been promoted into the NPLW, the first thing is to stay in the league for the following year. We want to be able to provide our junior players a real pathway into highly competitive football and by staying in this league we can very much do that. By solidifying our position in the league we can push on.”
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