The 2021 Capital Football NPLW1 season commences April 10th, and the eight teams in this instalment of the competition have three full rounds to look forward to.
Previous instalments:
Belconnen United
Canberra Olympic
Canberra United Academy
Gungahlin United
West Canberra FC
Here’s how Canberra Croatia is shaping in 2021. They topped the ladder in the 2020 season and were also crowned Champions.
Team news from Head Coach Nik Brozinic
NPLW1 Coaching team for season 2021:
Head Coach – Nik Brozinic
Assistant coach – Rob Galic
NPLW1 squad – players gained:
Jennifer Bisset – APIA Leichhardt
Chantel Jones – NPL hiatus in 2020
Renee Junna – Brindabella Blues U18 Boys
Bella Barac – NPL hiatus in 2020
Olivia Fogarty – hiatus
NPLW1 squad – players lost:
Grace Field
Anna Bennett
Any changes to the women’s programme for the 2021 NPLW1 season ?
No particular changes to the program as a whole. There are some exciting coaching changes in the youth program as we look to grow the program from last season.
Aims for the 2021 NPLW1 season ?
Emulating last season would be an amazing achievement that we would love to be able to do. Over a 21 game season plus finals and cup football, this will be very difficult but we will definitely try our best. We want to be competing for silverware on all three fronts this year, we won 2/2 last season; 3/3 would be a goal for us this season.
We will approach the season as we always have done, game by game with none being less or more important than the one that just passed or the one that is coming next.
Anything else to add about season 2021 ?
I’m really looking forward to a season with more football than the last few years. It brings a new dimension to our league and will make for a fantastic competition in 2021.
Good luck to all the other clubs competing in the 2021 NPLW competition.
Player profiles: Alice Churchill
How many seasons have you played NPLW1 with your current club ?
This is my 11th season with CCFC.
Likely onfield position ?
Left fullback.
What’s got you excited about the season ?
We had a really strong season last year (although it was also very short) and this year I’m really excited to see the team build on that and translate a 10 game season into a 21 game season, hopefully with the same results!
We’ve got more depth in our squad this year and we’ve picked up some really strong players. There’s competition for spots across the park so I’m really keen to see the girls push each other a little harder and see the best football we can play.
I’m excited to see if we can produce the same results as last season, although I think we’ll have our work cut out for us this year, the competition is looking pretty strong.
Who is a rising star in your team that fans should watch out for ?
We’ve got quite a few younger girls in the squad. Jordan Ujdur, Sharon Chao, Lara Agnew, Cecilija Matic and Ally Hinson have all been with us for two or three seasons and it’s been exciting to watch them grow and develop as players over that time. They’ve all got big things ahead of them this year and in seasons to come. But there’s also some new faces to watch out for and I think Renee Junna is one to keep a close eye on.
Are there any match-ups you are particularly looking forward to ? (This could be a specific opposition player, and/or another club)
It goes without saying that we always look forward to playing Belconnen. The rivalry goes back quite a few years now and it’s always an intense game where we leave everything on the pitch. But I think they won’t be the only challenging team this year. Diego’s put together a really strong Gungahlin outfit who will push us all the way, CUA is always a tough battle, Wagga, especially on the road, is always a difficult proposition and it’ll be really exciting to see how Olympic transform under Nic Begg’s coaching.
We’re just looking to make the most out of every game in 2021 and try and play our best football, whoever the opposition.
Anything else to add about season 2021?
Looking forward to the 2021 season and good luck to all teams!
Follow all our ACT NPLW coverage.
