A-League Women
A-League Women (known as the Liberty A-League for sponsorship reasons), formerly the W-League, is the top-division women's soccer league in Australia. The W-League was established in 2008 by Football Australia (then known as Football Federation Australia) and was originally composed of eight teams of which seven had an affiliation with an existing A-League Men club. As of the 2021–22 season, the league is contested by ten teams. The league, as well as the A-League Men and A-League Youth are administered by the Australian Professional Leagues.[1]
| Founded | 25 October 2008 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2008–09 |
| Country | Australia (11 teams) |
| Other club(s) from | New Zealand (1 team) |
| Confederation | Asian Football Confederation |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | AFC Women's Club Championship |
| Current champions | Melbourne Victory (3rd title) (2021–22) |
| Current premiers | Sydney FC (4th title) (2021–22) |
| Most championships | Melbourne City (4 titles) |
| Most premierships | Sydney FC (4 titles) |
| TV partners | Network 10 (Australia) Paramount+ (Australia) Three (New Zealand) Spark Sport (New Zealand) beIN Sports (Southeast Asia) Australia TV (Pacific Islands) Pasifika TV (Pacific Islands) BT Sport (Ireland and UK) Eleven Sports (Canada and USA) YouTube (non-broadcast regions) |
| Website | keepup.com.au |
| Current: 2022–23 A-League Women | |
Seasons now run from November to April and include a 22-round regular season and an end-of-season finals series playoff tournament involving the highest-placed teams, culminating in a Grand Final match. The winner of the regular season tournament is dubbed 'premiers' and the winner of the grand final is dubbed 'champions'. Since the league's inaugural season, a total of five clubs have been crowned premiers and five clubs have been crowned champions. It has been currently running in a semi-professional basis, but talks about professionalisation has been emerging, beginning with the name change and placing of all women's clubs into one single Australian Professional Leagues operation and management in 2021, which served as the precursors for complete transition to professionalism of the A-League Women.[2][3]
Sydney FC are the current premiers, having won their fourth title; Melbourne Victory are the current champions, having won their third title.
History
Between 1996 and 2004 the Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) was Australia's top women's soccer league. In 2004 it was discontinued alongside the men's National Soccer League.
After Australia qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, head coach Tom Sermanni felt the establishment of a professional league was vital for continuing the development of players.[4] Football Federation Australia established the league the following year.[5] The W-League was initially composed of eight teams: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, and Sydney FC. Seven of the eight teams were affiliated with A-League clubs, and shared their names and colours to promote their brands. The eighth club was Canberra United.[6]
The W-League's inaugural season commenced on 25 October 2008, with Perth hosting Sydney at Members Equity Stadium.[7] After ten rounds, the regular season finished with Queensland Roar as the top-placed team, becoming the first W-League premiers, and advancing to the semi-finals along with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams. Queensland faced Canberra in the 2009 W-League grand final, defeating them 2–0 to take the champions trophy.
Central Coast Mariners were forced to withdraw from the 2010–11 season due to a lack of funding,[8] but are scheduled to return in 2022–23.[9]
When Western Sydney Wanderers joined the A-League for the 2012–13 season, they also entered a team into the W-League, returning the competition to eight teams. From 2012 to 2014, the W-League champion team qualified into an international competition, the International Women's Club Championship.
On 13 May 2015, Melbourne City were confirmed to compete in the W-League from the 2015–16 season.[10] The club had a remarkable inaugural season, winning all 12 of its regular season games and winning the Grand Final.[11]
From the inception of the competition the league was run by Football Federation Australia, the governing body for the sport in Australia. In July 2019, the FFA relinquished operational control of the league to each of the clubs, represented by the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association.[12]
Wellington Phoenix were announced as an expansion club for the 2021–22 A-League Women season.[13] Along with Central Coast Mariners, Western United will also join the league for the 2022–23 A-League Women season,[14] which will expand the league to 12 teams.
Competition format
The A-League Women regular season typically runs from November to April and consists of 20 games per team, with the highest ranked team winning the title of "Premier".[15] The top four teams in the regular season then advance to the single-game knockout semi-finals, with the Champion determined by the victor of the Grand Final.[16] On 12 December 2022, the Australian Professional Leagues announced that the grand finals for the 2022–23, 2023–2024 and 2024–25 seasons would be hosted in Sydney,[17] a move which received considerable backlash.[18][19]
Broadcasting rights
In the 2019–20 season, ABC TV broadcast one game per weekend. Fourteen rounds of that season were broadcast at 4pm on Sundays, as well as the whole W-League 2020 Finals Series.[20] Fox Sport's contract with the A-League, which was renegotiated in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded in July 2021.[21]
Since August 2021, as part of a five-year deal with ViacomCBS, the A-Leagues have been broadcast by Network 10 and Paramount+ (Australia) streaming service.[22] As of the 2022–23 season, Paramount and Network 10's free-to-access streaming service 10Play stream all matches.[23]
In New Zealand, A-League Men and A-League Women matches are broadcast on Sky Sport/beIN Sports.
Clubs
| Future clubs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining |
| Central Coast Mariners | Gosford, New South Wales | Central Coast Stadium Pluim Park | 20,059 2,200[24] | 2008 | 2023-24[25] |
Performance record
Performance and ranking of clubs based on their best regular season result in the W-League and A-League Women. The 2021–22 season is Wellington Phoenix's first season.
| Rank | Club | Best Result | 08–09 | 09 | 10–11 | 11–12 | 12–13 | 13–14 | 14 | 15–16 | 16–17 | 17–18 | 18–19 | 19–20 | 20–21 | 21–22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney FC | 1st (four times) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Brisbane Roar | 1st (three times) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Canberra United | 1st (three times) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
| 4 | Melbourne City | 1st (twice) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 5 | Melbourne Victory | 1st | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 6 | Perth Glory | 1st | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| 7 | Newcastle Jets | 2nd | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| 8 | Central Coast Mariners | 2nd | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 3rd | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| 10 | Adelaide United | 3rd | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| 11 | Wellington Phoenix | 10th | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
|
Organisation
Squad formation and salaries
An A-League Women squad is required to have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 players.[citation needed] Players typically receive a one-season contract,[citation needed] with many playing in leagues in other countries during the A-League Women off-season. Due to the A-League Women season running during the off-season of several leagues around the world, many foreign players have played for teams in A-League Women and vice versa.
In 2015, teams in what was then the W-League had a salary cap of A$150,000.[26] Individual player salaries varied, with one player reporting to The Sydney Morning Herald in 2012 that whilst some players earn $10,000, others earn nothing.[27] In 2014, it was reported that Sydney FC players were paid salaries ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.[28] Players could also earn money playing overseas and may therefore be considered by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) as professional.[29]
Some clubs are owned by their state soccer associations including Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets.[citation needed]
For the 2017–18 season a minimum salary was introduced at A$10,000. The average salary therefore rose from A$15,500 to A$17,400. A salary cap was set at A$300,000.[30]
The total salary floor, or minimum salary spend, for the 2020-21 season rose to A$294,000, growing to A$315,000 in the 2021-22 season, with a salary cap of A$450,000, as part of a five year deal that will see the salary floor rise to A$390,000 by 2025-26.[31] The deal also included improved standards in training venues, travel and accommodation, high performance staffing, and player workloads.[31] The A-League Women minimum annual wage in 2021 is A$17,055.[32]
Stadiums
A-League Women games have been played in 33 stadiums since the inaugural season of the A-League.
Broadcasting
The 2018–19 season marked the first time that fans were able to watch every W-League game. All matches were broadcast or streamed on Fox Sports, SBS Viceland and the My Football Live app. Thursday Night Football was also introduced, meaning 13 stand-alone regular season matches will be played in prime-time and broadcast live on Fox Sports.[33] The Football Federation Australia (FFA) reached a deal with ESPN+ for broadcast rights to W-League games in the United States. ESPN+ will carry at least 17 W-League matches in the 2018–19 season.[34] For the first time ever W-League games would be broadcast on YouTube and Twitter in territories without a traditional broadcast partner.[35] From July 2019 to the end of the 2020–21 season, Foxtel broadcast all matches with ABC broadcasting one match per round live on its primary channel.[36]
From the 2021–22 season onward, A-League Women will be streamed on Paramount+ with Sunday afternoon matches broadcast on 10 Bold, after Network 10 acquired the rights to both A-League Men and Women competitions.[37]
Referees
A-League Women features women referees and assistant referees from Australia. Current referees include:
- Kate Jacewicz, who has refereed nine of the first eleven Finals.[38]
- Katie Patterson
Honours
| Season | Premiers (regular season winners) | Champions (Grand Final winners) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Queensland Roar[a] | Queensland Roar |
| 2009 | Sydney FC | Sydney FC |
| 2010–11 | Sydney FC | Brisbane Roar |
| 2011–12 | Canberra United | Canberra United |
| 2012–13 | Brisbane Roar | Sydney FC |
| 2013–14 | Canberra United | Melbourne Victory |
| 2014 | Perth Glory | Canberra United |
| 2015–16 | Melbourne City | Melbourne City |
| 2016–17 | Canberra United | Melbourne City |
| 2017–18 | Brisbane Roar | Melbourne City |
| 2018–19 | Melbourne Victory | Sydney FC |
| 2019–20 | Melbourne City | Melbourne City |
| 2020–21 | Sydney FC | Melbourne Victory |
| 2021–22 | Sydney FC | Melbourne Victory |
Records
Most appearances
As of 1 December 2021 (prior to commencement of 2021–22 A-League Women season).[39] Players listed in bold are still actively playing in the A-League Women.
| Rank | Player | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teresa Polias | 157 |
| 2 | Clare Polkinghorne | 152 |
| 3 | Tameka Yallop | 139 |
| 4 | Gema Simon | 138 |
| 5 | Caitlin Cooper | 137 |
| 6 | Ellie Brush | 132 |
| 7 | Kim Carroll | 128 |
| Leena Khamis | ||
| Marianna Tabain | ||
| 10 | Stephanie Catley | 127 |
| Michelle Heyman |
Top scorers
As of 1 December 2021 (prior to commencement of 2021–22 A-League Women season). Players listed in bold are still actively playing in the A-League Women.
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Heyman | 73 |
| 2 | Samantha Kerr | 70 |
| 3 | Tameka Yallop | 58 |
| 4 | Kyah Simon | 50 |
| 5 | Emily Gielnik | 46 |
| 6 | Leena Khamis | 44 |
| 7 | Kate Gill | 42 |
| Lisa De Vanna | ||
| 9 | Ashleigh Sykes | 41 |
| 10 | Tara Andrews | 39 |
See also
- AFC Women's Club Championship
- A-League Women records and statistics
- Women's soccer in Australia
- Australia women's national soccer team
- Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) – defunct Australian women's national league
Notes
- ^ Queensland Roar changed their name to Brisbane Roar for the 2009 season onwards.
References
- ^ Official site on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "W-League name scrapped as Australian soccer rebrands under A-Leagues banner". SportsPro. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "History of Women's Football in Australia". Football Australia. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Grainey, Tim (26 November 2013). "Grainey: A closer look at the Westfield W-League". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ^ "Women in a league of their own". Football Federation Australia. 28 July 2008.
- ^ . Fox Sports. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 6 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
- ^ "Girls shop to the top". FourFourTwo. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
- ^ . Central Coast Mariners. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ "Central Coast Mariners welcome W-League expansion news and confirm the club's intention to enter the competition in 2022/23". Central Coast Mariners. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ Hytner, Mike (13 May 2015). "Melbourne City FC to field a W-League side next season". The Guardian.
- ^ "Melbourne City crown perfect season with W-League grand final win over Sydney FC". The Age. 31 January 2016.
- ^ "FFA reaches in principle agreement for independent A-League". The Roar. 2 July 2019.
- ^ Andrew Voerman (10 September 2021). "Wellington Phoenix to field women's team in W-League with quota of Australian players". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "We're In! Western United to join W-League". Western United. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "W-LEAGUE". Soccer Way. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
- ^ . Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
- ^ "Why Sydney is the new home of the A-Leagues Grand Finals". 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "'Terrible decision': A-Leagues' move to sell off grand final rights to Sydney sparks fan anger". TheGuardian.com. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (12 December 2022). "'Absolute disgrace': A-League grand final move slammed by fans, owners and a Socceroo". Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "ABC TV becomes Free-to-Air Broadcast Partner of the Hyundai A-League". A-League. 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Foxtel and FFA come to an agreement over A-League and W-League". Mumbrella. 22 June 2020.
- ^ "A-League announces Channel 10 as new broadcast partner in five-year deal". ABC News (Australia). 26 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "10 Bold, Paramount+ home of 2022–23 A-League". TV Tonight. 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Pluim Park". Austadiums. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "LIBERTY A-LEAGUE EXPANDS TO INCLUDE MORE TEAMS, MORE ROUNDS, MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASPIRING MATILDAS". Adelaide United. 29 June 2022. from the original on 11 September 2022.
- ^ "Fairer wages for women to dominate CBA talks". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "W-League 2013: Melissa Barbieri has to sell possessions to play". smh.com.au. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ "You can't accuse Sydney FC's W-League team of doing it for anything other than the glory". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ Scanlon, Jill (20 October 2015). "The W-League Will Be Looking To Follow The Matildas Pay Deal Path". Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
While this is not a full-time professional workload wage, the women can also earn money playing overseas and are therefore considered by the PFA to be categorised as professional.
- ^ "W-League players to get huge pay increase for new season". espnfc.com. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Salary cap changes, pay boost for W-League, A-League players". thewomensgame.com. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Monteverde, Marco (9 September 2021). "A-League: New agreement will allow clubs to spend extra money outside of salary cap". News.com.au. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Fans able to watch every match of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season". 5 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ "ESPN+ Acquires Broadcast Rights to Westfield W-League in the United States". 10 August 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ "Fans in more corners of the globe set to watch Australian football this season". 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "ABC strikes deal with FFA to become free-to-air home of football in Australia". ABC News. 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Network 10 and Paramount+ to deliver double the football action on Saturday nights". A-League. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ "Kate Jacewicz to referee the Westfield W-League 2019 Grand Final". Football Federation Australia. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Australia W-League Women All-time appearances 1–50". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
External links
- Official website