National Premier Leagues NSW

The National Premier Leagues NSW is a semi-professional soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. The competition is conducted by Football NSW, the organising body in New South Wales (the other being the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW organised by Northern NSW Football). The league is a subdivision of the second tier National Premier Leagues (NPL), which sits below the national A-League. Prior to becoming a subdivision of the NPL in 2013, the league was previously known as the NSW Premier League.

National Premier Leagues NSW
Founded2013
2000–2012 (as NSW Premier League)
1992–2000 (as Super League)
1983–1991 (as Division One)
1978–1982 (as Super League)
1956–1977 (as Division One)
Country Australia
StateNew South Wales NSW
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid2
Relegation toNSW League One Men
Domestic cup(s)Australia Cup
Waratah Cup
Current premiersAPIA Leichhardt (2023)
TV partnersNPL.TV
YouTube
Websitewww.nplnsw.com.au
Current: 2024 NPL NSW

History

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Origins

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Since 1956, a top divisional New South Wales based league has been contested annually in various forms, with its early days remembered as Division One. The league, jointly with other state-based leagues, formed the highest tier of soccer in Australia until the creation of a national league, the National Soccer League (NSL), in 1977. Before NSL, the Ampol Cup also ran concurrently as a state-based cup competition. In 1979 Division One officially changed its name to NSW State League, however, reverted to NSW Division One by 1983. The league continued to be contested throughout the winter months and included another name change in 1992 to the NSW Super League. During the 1980s and 1990s, Melita Eagles and Blacktown City FC were dominant in the league winning nine championships between them.

Foundations

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At the end of the 2000 season, the top soccer divisions were revamped with the highest level of soccer being named the Premier League and being played over the summer to align with the then top tier of soccer in Australia (NSL). The second highest NSW league was named the Winter Super League and played throughout 2001. The 2004–05 season saw the return of the New South Wales NSL giants in Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, Wollongong Wolves and Marconi Stallions.[1] This was the result of another overhaul of the entire national league structure. The NSL was abolished and the A-League took its place at the top of the soccer hierarchy in Australia. As this competition significantly reduced the teams from New South Wales to just three (Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets) these clubs were forced to return to the state leagues. The NSW Premier League continued to be run over summer throughout this period but after the 2004–05 season reverted to a winter competition from 2006.

In 2008 the whole New South Wales men's, women's and youth competitions were reconstructed to align youth teams with their respective senior clubs along with women's teams.

Development

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In 2013 the FFA announced another re-structure, this time to the tier 2 level of soccer in Australia. This saw the top league in each state united under a single banner called the National Premier Leagues, with the NSW Premier League rebranded as the National Premier Leagues NSW.[2] Bonnyrigg White Eagles became the inaugural champions of this competition after defeating Rockdale City Suns 1–0 in the final. Sydney United 58 FC were crowned premiers after placing first in the standing at the end of the regular season, earning the right to compete in the inaugural National Premier Leagues Finals. Sydney United went on to win this tournament defeating Tasmanian side South Hobart FC 2–0 in the final. In 2014, premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles failed to reach the grand final and Blacktown City FC were crowned champions. They defeated Sydney Olympic 2–1 after extra time.

Name Changes

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SeasonsTitle
1956–1977Division 1
1978–1982State League
1983–1991NSW Division One
1992–2000NSW Super League
2000–2012NSW Premier League
2013–presentNational Premier Leagues NSW
Source: OzFootball

Competition format

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League

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There are 30 Rounds in total with each team playing each other twice; home and away.

NPL national finals

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At the completion of the league series, the NPL NSW top of the table joins the winners from the other NPL subdivisions in a national eight team finals series. The national final series consists of a three-round knock-out series based on geographically close subdivision champions playing each other, culminating in a grand final.

Clubs

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The following clubs were competing in the National Premier Leagues NSW for the 2024 season.

ClubSeasonsLocationGroundsCapacity
APIA Leichhardt11LeichhardtLambert Park7,000
Blacktown City11BlacktownLily Homes Stadium7,500
Central Coast Mariners Academy2LisarowPluim Park2,000
Hills United FC1Rouse HillRussell Reserve
Landen Stadium
1,000
7,000
Manly United11Dee WhyCromer Park5,000
Marconi Stallions9Bossley ParkMarconi Stadium9,000
NWS Spirit2Macquarie ParkChristie Park2,000
Rockdale Ilinden11RockdaleRockdale Ilinden Sports Centre5,000
St George City2PeakhurstPeakhurst Park1,000
St George FC2BanksiaBarton Park Sports Complex
Ilinden Sports Centre
15,000
5,000
Sutherland Sharks10MirandaSeymour Shaw Park5,000
Sydney FC Youth7GlenwoodValentine Sports Park4,000
Sydney Olympic11BelmoreBelmore Sports Ground20,000
Sydney United 5811Edensor ParkSydney United Sports Centre12,000
Western Sydney Wanderers Youth2Rooty HillWanderers Football Park3,000
Wollongong Wolves11WollongongWIN Stadium23,750

National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1 Honours

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SeasonRegular seasonFinals seriesNPL Finals Representation
Premiers
(number of titles)
Runners-upChampions
(number of titles)
ScoreFinalists
2013Sydney United 58 FC (7)Sutherland Sharks FCBonnyrigg White Eagles (3)1–0Rockdale City SunsSydney United 58 FCChampions
2014Bonnyrigg White Eagles (6)Blacktown SpartansBlacktown City (7)2–1Sydney OlympicBonnyrigg White Eagles – Runners-up
2015Blacktown City (8)APIA Leichhardt TigersBonnyrigg White Eagles (4)2–0Blacktown CityBlacktown CityChampions
2016Sydney United 58 FC (8)Blacktown CityBlacktown City (8)3–0Sydney United 58 FCSydney United 58 FCChampions
2017APIA Leichhardt Tigers (5)Blacktown CityManly United (2)0–0 (4–3 (p))APIA Leichhardt TigersAPIA Leichhardt Tigers – Semi-finalists
2018Sydney Olympic (3)APIA Leichhardt TigersSydney Olympic (3)3–1APIA Leichhardt TigersSydney Olympic – Semi-finalists
2019Wollongong Wolves (2)APIA Leichhardt TigersAPIA Leichhardt Tigers (6)2–1Sydney United 58 FCWollongong WolvesChampions
2020Rockdale City SunsWollongong WolvesSydney United 58 FC (5)3–3 (4–2 (p))Rockdale City Suns[a]
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[4]
2022Sydney Olympic (3)Manly UnitedBlacktown City2-0Manly United[b]

Notes:

  • Bold indicates Federation Double winners – i.e. League Championship and League Premiership OR League Championship and Federation/Waratah Cup OR League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup
  • Bold and Underlined indicates Federation Treble winners – i.e. League Championship, League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup winners

Honours pre-NPL (1957–2012)

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SeasonCompetitionRegular seasonFinals series
Premiers
(number of titles)
Runners-upChampions
(number of titles)
ScoreFinalists
1957Division OneCanterbury-MarrickvilleAuburnAuburn4–3Canterbury-Marrickville
1958Division OneCorrimal UnitedCanterbury-MarrickvilleCanterbury-Marrickville2–1Auburn
1959Division OnePragueAPIA LeichhardtPrague3–2APIA Leichhardt
1960Division OnePrague (2)APIA LeichhardtCanterbury-Marrickville (2)5–2Prague
1961Division OnePrague (3)Canterbury-MarrickvilleHakoah4–1Canterbury-Marrickville
1962Division OneBudapestHakoahHakoah (2)4–2Budapest
1963Division OnePrague (4)APIA LeichhardtSouth Coast United4–0APIA Leichhardt
1964Division OneAPIA LeichhardtSt George-BudapestAPIA Leichhardt7–2St George-Budapest
1965Division OneSouth Coast UnitedSt George-BudapestAPIA Leichhardt (2)2–0St George-Budapest
1966Division OneAPIA Leichhardt (2)Hakoah Eastern SuburbsHakoah Eastern Suburbs (3)2–1APIA Leichhardt
1967Division OneAPIA Leichhardt (3)St George-BudapestSt George-Budapest5–2APIA Leichhardt
1968Division OneHakoah Eastern SuburbsPan-HellenicHakoah Eastern Suburbs (4)4–2Pan-Hellenic
1969Division OneSouth Coast United (3)St George-BudapestAPIA Leichhardt (3)3–2St George-Budapest
1970Division OneHakoah Eastern Suburbs (2)St George-BudapestYUGAL Ryde4–0St George-Budapest
1971Division OneHakoah Eastern Suburbs (3)St George-BudapestSt George-Budapest (2)3–2Western Suburbs
1972Division OneSt George-Budapest (2)Marconi-FairfieldMarconi-Fairfield1–0St George-Budapest
1973Division OneHakoah Eastern Suburbs (4)Marconi-FairfieldMarconi-Fairfield (2)2–1Hakoah Eastern Suburbs
1974Division OneHakoah Eastern Suburbs (5)APIA LeichhardtSt George-Budapest (3)4–2Hakoah Eastern Suburbs
1975Division OneAPIA Leichhardt (4)St George-BudapestSt George-Budapest (4)1–0APIA Leichhardt
1976Division OneSt George-Budapest (3)APIA LeichhardtAPIA Leichhardt (4)1–0St George-Budapest
1977Introduction of the National Soccer League
1977Division OneCroatia SydneyAPIA LeichhardtCroatia Sydney2–0Auburn
1978Division OneCroatia Sydney (2)Sutherland ShireSutherland Shire1–1
2–1 (replay)
Croatia Sydney
1979State LeagueCroatia Sydney (3)Inter MonaroInter Monaro2–1Sutherland Shire
1980State LeagueMelita EaglesSydney OlympicSydney Olympic4–0Melita Eagles
1981State LeagueCroatia Sydney (4)St George-BudapestSt George-Budapest (5)1–0Croatia Sydney
1982State LeagueCroatia Sydney (5)RiverwoodCroatia Sydney (2)2–1Sutherland Shire
1983NSW Division OneMelita Eagles (2)Croatia SydneyCroatia Sydney (3)1–1 (a.e.t.)
0–0 (replay)
4–3 (p)
Melita Eagles
1984NSW Division OneInter MonaroRockdale IlindenRockdale Ilinden3–2Inter Monaro
1985NSW Division OneCanterbury-Marrickville Olympic (2)Fairy MeadowMelita Eagles4–0Fairy Meadow
1986NSW Division OneMelita Eagles (3)Manly WarringahSutherland Shire (2)2–1Melita Eagles
1987NSW Division OneWollongong CityCanberra CityWollongong City2–1Canberra City
1988NSW Division OneBlacktown CityMelita EaglesMelita Eagles (2)0–0
7–6 (p)
Blacktown City
1989NSW Division OneMelita Eagles (4)Canberra CroatiaMelita Eagles (3)2–0Canberra Croatia
1990NSW Division OneWollongong MacedoniaCanberra CroatiaWollongong Macedonia2–0Canberra Croatia
1991NSW Division OneSutherland SharksBlacktown CityBlacktown City3–0Canberra Metro
1992NSW Super LeagueAvalaManly Warringah DolphinsAvala2–0Blacktown City
1993NSW Super LeagueBlacktown City (2)Bankstown CityBankstown City1–0Blacktown City
1994NSW Super LeagueBankstown CityCanterbury-MarrickvilleBankstown City (2)3–1Canterbury-Marrickville
1995NSW Super LeagueManly Warringah DolphinsBlacktown CityManly Warringah Dolphins1–0Blacktown City
1996NSW Super LeagueAdamstown Rosebud1
Parramatta Eagles2
Sutherland Sharks1, 2Parramatta Eagles (4)1–1
5–3 (p)
Adamstown Rosebud
1997NSW Super LeagueParramatta Eagles (5)APIA LeichhardtParramatta Eagles (5)3–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles
1998NSW Super LeagueBonnyrigg White Eagles (2)Blacktown CityBlacktown City (2)1–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
1999NSW Super LeagueBonnyrigg White Eagles (3)Blacktown CityBlacktown City (3)5–1Parramatta Eagles
2000NSW Super LeagueBlacktown City (3)Bonnyrigg White EaglesBlacktown City (4)2–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2000–01NSW Premier LeagueBlacktown City Demons (4)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FCBonnyrigg White Eagles (2)3–1Blacktown City Demons
2001–02NSW Premier LeagueParramatta Eagles (6)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FCParramatta Eagles (6)1–0Blacktown City Demons
2002–03NSW Premier LeagueBlacktown City Demons (5)APIA TigersAPIA Leichhardt Tigers (5)3–1Blacktown City Demons
2003–04NSW Premier LeagueBelconnen Blue DevilsSt. George SaintsBankstown City Lions (3)2–0Belconnen Blue Devils
2004–05NSW Premier LeagueBankstown City Lions FC (2)Bonnyrigg White Eagles FCBankstown City Lions (4)3–1Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
2006NSW Premier LeagueBlacktown City (6)Bankstown City Lions FCSydney United (4)4–0Blacktown City Demons FC
2007NSW Premier LeagueBlacktown City (7)Bankstown City Lions FCBlacktown City (5)3–1Bankstown City Lions FC
2008NSW Premier LeagueSutherland Sharks (2)Wollongong FCWollongong FC (2)4–2Sutherland Sharks FC
2009NSW Premier LeagueSydney United (6)Marconi Stallions FCSutherland Sharks (3)4–1Marconi Stallions
2010NSW Premier LeagueBonnyrigg White Eagles (4)Blacktown City Demons FCBlacktown City FC (6)1–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2011NSW Premier LeagueSydney OlympicSydney United FCSydney Olympic (2)2–0Sydney United
2012NSW Premier LeagueBonnyrigg White Eagles (5)Sydney Olympic FCMarconi Stallions (3)2–0Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Source: SoccerAust
1 1996 season divided into two stages. Stage 1: Premiers (Adamstown), Runners-up (Sutherland)
2 1996 season divided into two stages. Stage 2: Premiers (Parramatta), Runners-up (Sutherland)

Bold indicates Federation Double winners – i.e. League Championship and League Premiership OR League Championship and Federation/Waratah Cup OR League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup
Bold and Underlined indicates Federation Treble winners – i.e. League Championship, League Premiership and Federation/Waratah Cup winners

All-time honour board

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This list includes all champions and premiers since the inaugural league of 1957. Grand finals have occurred during all seasons of the league over this time. As the 1996 season was split into two stages there was no official premier for the season.

ClubRegular season premiershipsFinals series championships
PremiersWinning seasonsChampionsWinning grand finals
Blacktown City81988, 1993, 2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2007, 201581991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016
Sydney United 5881977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2009, 2013, 201651977, 1982, 1983, 2006, 2020
Parramatta FC61980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1997, 2001–0261985, 1988, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2002
Bonnyrigg White Eagles61992, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2012, 201441992, 2001, 2013, 2015
APIA Leichhardt61964, 1965, 1967, 1975, 2017, 202361964, 1965, 1969, 1976, 2003, 2019
Hakoah Sydney City East FC51968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 197441961, 1962, 1966, 1968
Prague41959, 1960, 1961, 196311959
St George FC31962, 1972, 197651967, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1981
Sydney Olympic32011, 2018, 202231980, 2011, 2018
Safeway United31958, 1966, 196911963
Bankstown City Lions21994, 2004–0541993, 1994, 2004, 2005
Sutherland Sharks21991, 200831978, 1986, 2009
Canterbury-Marrickville21957, 198521958, 1960
Wollongong Wolves21987, 201921987, 2008
Manly United1199521995, 2017
Inter Monaro1198411979
Wollongong United1199011990
Rockdale City Suns/Rockdale Ilinden1202011984
Belconnen Blue Devils12003–04
Marconi Stallions31972, 1973, 2012
Auburn11957
YUGAL Ryde11970

Broadcasting

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As of 2012, all matches have been filmed and a weekly highlights package has been made available online, while the grand final has been streamed live through Football NSW since 2013.

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ NPL finals series cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[3]
  2. ^ Not held
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