The Westfield W-League 2010/11 season was launched today with representatives from each of the seven Westfield W-League teams joining over 100 local girls at a special football clinic held in Sydney this morning.
Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide United), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar), Sally Shipard (Canberra United), Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne Victory), Thea Slatyer (Newcastle Jets), Kate Gill (Perth Glory), and Kyah Simon (Sydney FC) traded coaching tips with the next generation of the footballers ahead of this weekend's season opening.
Westfield Matildas and Melbourne Victory captain Melissa Barbieri is excited about the start of the new competition.
"It's an exciting time, there's not long to go and we're looking good for another exciting season," said Barbieri.
"I think this will be the closest season on record, the standard keeps rising and it just goes to show by the amount of players coming through that women's football is on the rise.
"With seven teams in this year's competition I think every match is going to be a closely fought affair but in saying that I also think the playing standard is that much higher now that there's also going to be some really impressive football out there this season."
FFA Head of Women's Football, Leeanne Grantham, believes that football is on the rise for women in Australia and that the Westfield W-League has created a strong platform for the professional pathway in women's football.
"What we have to recognise is that although we're only in our third season the standard and professionalism of the league is improving in leaps and bounds," said Grantham.
"The product we have on the park and the links we are creating to grassroots participation and to the extended women's football family are becoming more and more inclusive.
"Women's football is on the rise in Australia and I am proud to help launch season three of the Westfield W-League and look forward to another fantastic season for this group of wonderful, committed and talented athletes."
Westfield W-League 2010/11 will see the 7 team competition play 35 matches over the 12 week season from the November 6 kick-off and finish on February 12 with the Westfield W-League 2011 Grand Final.
Westfield Group's support involves women's football ranging from the Westfield Championship for Girls, the national women's teams and the Westfield W-League. The Commonwealth Government also continues support of the women's league.
ABC TV will again cover the ‘match of the week’ live and exclusive on ABC1 and ABCHD throughout the 12 week competition and Westfield W-League 2011 Finals Series.
Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC will again start with good prospects having so many Matildas (past or present) but Canberra United looks good to revisit their successes of season 1.
