NPL NSW Women signings tracker: Key signings from clubs as they chase 2024 premiership glory
The NPL Women NSW is underway with many teams looking very different to last season. Check out all the new signings, coups and call-ups for every team.
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The NPL Women NSW season is underway, with many teams sporting brand-new line-ups for 2024.
A host of players earned A-League Women call-ups in the off-season, including Bulls FC top scorer Peta Trimis (Central Coast Mariners), Sydney Olympic’s Kiara De Domizio (Western United) and APIA Leichhardt’s Claudia Ciccio (Newcastle Jets).
Plenty of up-and-coming players have been promoted to the top flight, with teenage striker Amber Luchtmeijer moving from Blacktown Spartans to Bulls FC, Junior Matilda Maddison Sawkins joining Illawarra Stingrays and Sienna Dale earning another season with Manly United.
Check out all the signings, coups and call-ups for every NPL Women’s NSW club.
APIA Leichhardt FC
The reigning premiers were forced to part with coach Spencer Prior in the off-season, with former Blacktown Spartans manager Brad Attard taking over for the 2024 season.
The squad has also seen significant change, with six departures including Isabella Coco-Di Sipio and Annabelle Daczko.
APIA have added some fresh young talent for 2024 with teenager striker Brinley Gentle making the move from the Emerging Jets for the upcoming season.
Young Matilda and Western Sydney Wanderers train-on Mia Golding will be hoping for more first grade action with APIA after two seasons with the FNSW reserve grade side.
Teenagers Violet Keelan and Isabella Raad have both made the jump up to top-flight football after playing together in League One with Sutherland Shire FA.
Former Young Matilda Anabelle Ghabach is set to make a return to the pitch after an ACL injury ended her season last year before it even started.
APIA have retained 2023 golden boot winner Ashlie Crofts, who scored 29 goals in 32 games in her first season with the club last year, while goalkeeper Sophie Magus has re-signed for her fifth season with the club.
Former Northern Tigers teammates Mona Walker and Teal Kilbride will link up with APIA, with Walker having ALW experience with the Wellington Phoenix.
Another player with A-Leagues experience is Angelique Hristodoulou, who moves across from Sydney Olympic with appearances for the Wanderers and Sydney FC under her belt.
Georgia Pollitt and Kate Stanbridge both join APIA from Sydney University, while Imogen Lane makes the move up from League One with Hills United.
After a solid first season with APIA last year, Tanya Borazio has retained her spot with the premiers.
Blacktown Spartans FC
Blacktown Spartans have made just two new signings for the new season, despite only just avoiding relegation in 2023.
Teenager attacker Hope Cleur moves to Blacktown from Football NSW Institute where she spent the past two seasons in the U16s.
Midfielder Kiarnie Latham brings a heap of experience to the relatively young side, having played for University of Tennessee, Martin in 2021 and previously representing the Newcastle Jets and their academy side Emerging Jets.
Chantelle Maniti will wear the captain’s armband for the Spartans in just her second year with the club, leading the backline along with fellow defenders Deana Caronna, Michaela Rattos, Charlotte Owen, Isabelle Wilson, Liana Panayi and Brittany Duggan.
Anna Norton and Makayla Kent will once again split goalkeeping duties after sharing the role in first grade and reserves last season.
Exciting young forward Alyssa Ng-Saad will likely get more first grade minutes this year following a hectic 2023 representing the Spartans’ U15, U16, U18, reserve and first grade sides.
More focus will be on the Spartans’ forwards with last year’s top scorer Amber Luchtmeijer moving to Bulls FC Academy, with Christa Oliva, Donelle Moore and Angel Lynch leading the attack.
Only one change has been made in the midfield with the inclusion of Latham, with Maja Prostran, Helena Daniele, Angelina Graiche, and Kitwarla Mkali all returning.
Bulls FC Academy
Coach Jamie Gomez has undergone a major overhaul of his team of his team ahead of the new season, with a number of players moving on in the off-season.
Captain Jessica Seaman is among the four confirmed to be returning this year, along with Liz Grey, Bella Volkanovski and Brazilian Tamires Souza.
Sydney FC young gun Madeleine Caspers will link up with the Bulls at the end of the A-League Women’s season, having made seven appearances and scoring three goals for the Sky Blues so far.
She moves across from the Football NSW Institute, with former teammates Alice Thompson, Alessandra Valle and Daniella Naemi also joining her at the Bulls this season.
Exciting young talent Amber Luchtmeijer makes the move from Blacktown Spartans where she pulled triple duty in 2023, playing for the U18, reserve and first grade teams and scoring over 30 goals.
Former APIA forward Isabella Coco Di Sipio will join her in attack and will be hoping for more consistency in the first grade after jumping between the reserves for her former club.
Northern Tigers duo Jasmine Meli and Tess Rickard will be making the move up to first grade with the Bulls after playing mostly reserve grade in 2023, while Aurelia Collins signs on from Manly United.
Following a stint in the Victorian NPLW with Heidelberg United and Southern United, Alyssa Rose heads back to NSW with the Bulls after previously playing for the Blacktown Spartans.
Coach Gomez said he’s hopeful he can add some ALW talent later in the season.
Emerging Jets
The Northern NSW Football academy hasn’t seen much change for the 2024 season, with players who moved on during the off season replaced mostly internally.
Teenager Emilee Franklin is a new addition to the Jets, moving to the NSW NPL from Northern NSW side Mid Coast FC where she spent her junior career.
A few players have been given the call up to the first grade side from the reserves, including Alisha Ingrey, Alexis Collins, Marni Duggan, Isahbella Threlfo, Zoe Daly and goalkeeper Tegan Harvey.
Also back for another season in Newcastle is Chloe Walandouw, Claire Adams, Emma O’Hagan and Molly Salvadore.
Football NSW Institute
Football NSW Institute has lost a host of their first grade players for 2024, recruiting from within to replace them.
Tea Mucenski, Erin Gordon and Libby Morris have all moved to Macarthur Rams, Alice Thompson, Alessandra Valle, Maddie Caspers and Daniella Naemi headed to Bulls FC Academy, and Bonny Adams and Priya Sciuriaga have moved to Manly United and Sydney Olympic respectively.
NSW state team player Mikayla Duong remains with the Institute, along with her Junior Matildas teammate Tiana Fuller.
Goalkeeper Sofia Fante has been promote from the U16 and U18 teams, becoming the first choice keeper for the first grade side.
Lauren Nada, Kiara Bonoro, Annabella Keep and Estella Cameron have moved up from the U18 side, while Amelia Bennett, Alvina Khoshaba, Christina Kiceec, Adelaide Wyrzynski and Maria Tsavalias are promoted from the reserves.
Gladesville Ravens
The Ravens had a decent first season in the top flight in 2023, finishing the year in ninth with eight wins.
While keeping the bulk of last year’s squad, new coach Guillermo Rubio has added to the roster by bringing in some fresh faces as the club hopes to climb up the ladder.
Among the headline signings is the Northern Tigers’ top scorer for 2023 Claudia Cholakian, who will join her third club in three years after single season at the Tigers and Sydney Olympic.
Football veteran Pat Charalambous moves back to NSW with the Ravens after a season in the Victorian NPL, playing for Alamein FC where she scored seven goals in 10 matches.
Isabella Edwards (nee Habuda), Annie Daczko and Shelby Milton have all signed on from reigning premiers APIA Leichhardt, while defender Niko Orgill is back in Australia after a stint in Norway and some time off due to injury.
Four players have been brought up from the Manly United reserves, with goalkeeper Nicola Simmons joining the Ravens alongside teammates Maddy Zahra, Sophie Clarke and Jemima Lockley.
Ellie Howard will also make the move up to first grade after mostly playing in the reserves for NWS Spirit last season, while Kora Villa returns to the Ravens after a stint with the Northern Tigers.
Breanna Buccini is the final confirmed new signing so far, moving from the Blacktown Spartans.
After joining the Ravens mid-season in 2023, Renee Pountney and Lexie Moreno are back for another year in black and white.
Last year’s NPL goalkeeper of the year Romina Parraguirre and skipper Kim Davey are among the returning players, along with Eleanor Lidbetter, Keisha Allen, Liz Gilbane, Keiko Tanaka, Annie Halls, Jess Wootton, Ashleigh Stevens, Eliza Coleman, Amelie Milroy, Issy Hatton, Luca Davine, Astria Denby, Maya Braun, Natalie Sproule and Lara Brewis.
Illawarra Stingrays FC
After falling just short of the finals race last season, Stingrays coach Steven Gordon is building for a premiership push in 2024.
Japanese import Sakura Nojima made an immediate impact in the second half of last season and is back this year, along with countryman Ami Dekimura who has been solid so far in pre-season.
Junior Matilda Maddison Sawkins is a major addition for the Stingrays, signing on from the Canberra United Academy in the ACT.
Following a mixed season with Bankstown City and Gladesville Ravens, young gun Siobhan Edwards will be looking for more consistency with the Stingrays.
A few players have been promoted to the first grade side this season including former SAP players Ella Giles and Adelaide Thompson, along with Halle Callow and Brielle Masters who played mostly U18 and reserve grade in 2023.
Current Western Sydney Wanderers player Danika Matos will return to Illawarra once the A-League Women season ends, with the 23-year-0ld featuring in 16 matches for the Wanderers so far this season.
Club veteran Chloe Middleton has also committed for another season after not being picked up by Canberra United for a third stint.
Former Sydney University SFC players Layla Etherington and Alexia Saltirov have already laced up their boots for the Stingrays during the pre-season after playing in the U18 and reserve grades respectively last season.
Former Sutherland Shire FA captain Genevieve Nisbet also took part in pre-season matches for the Stingrays, making the move up from League One.
Coach Gordon said more signings are yet to be confirmed, with quite a few players likely to come through mid-season.
Macarthur Rams FC
The reigning two-time champions have retained much of the same line-up as they eye a championship three-peat, announcing just four new signings so far.
Bronte Trew makes the jump up from League One side South Coast Flame to join Macarthur, after claiming the league’s golden boot in 2023 with 29 goals.
Following a stint with St George FC in League One, Jasmin Limon returns to the Rams where she previously featured in their Reserve Grade and First Grade sides in 2022.
Up and coming teenager Tea Mucenski moves across from the FNSW Institute, where she mainly featured in their U18 and Reserve Grade teams last year.
Angelina Scamardella has joined the Rams from the recently relegated Bankstown City, where she played over 50 matches last season in their U18, Reserve Grade and First Grade teams.
Former Illawarra Stingrays talent Lola Sossai is set to make a return to football after a few years off and heads to Lynwood Park in 2024
Former Football NSW Institute captain Erin Gordon has committed to the Rams for the new season, along with teammate Libby Morris.
The Rams have also kept a strong line-up of returning A-League Women’s players who will feature towards the end of the season.
Indi Breier, Melissa Caceres, Beth Gordon, Madison McComasky and goalkeeper Sham Khamis will head back to Macarthur following a season with Western Sydney Wanderers, while Maya Lobo returns after her debut ALW season with Central Coast Mariners.
Wellington Phoenix’s Kelli Brown, Sydney FC’s Darcey Malone and Tegan Bertolissio from Canberra United have also re-signed with the NPL Women’s side.
Japanese import Miku Sunaga is among the returning players, as well as Tenealle Hay, Olivia Sloan, Chelsea Barton, Maddie Malone, Teresa Morrisey, Helena Halios-Lewis, Lara Dipple and Chrystal Duggan.
Manly United FC
Manly United have shown faith in last year’s side, re-signing 13 players so far.
Young Matilda Sienna Dale is back in the first grade side after a breakout year in 2023, winning the U16 national championship with NSW and being named player of the tournament as well as qualifying for the AFC U17 Asian Cup with the Young Matildas.
Siahn Bozanic has moved to Manly from reigning champions APIA after just one season where she made 18 appearances, and previously played for Northbridge Bulls in 2022.
Following two seasons with the Northern Tigers, defender Ariella Cabezas has committed to United for 2024.
Newcastle keeper Mia McLachlan has moved south for the upcoming season after previously playing with Charlestown Azzurri in the Northern NSW NPL.
Young gun Bonny Adams has rejoined her former club and has been promoted to first grade football after a stint at FNSW Institute in the reserves.
Gemma Woolley is also back at Manly for her eighth season after spending 2022 with Gladesville Ravens and 2023 with the Northern Tigers.
Young goalkeeper Christie Kannengiesser is moving up to first grade action with Manly, after spending the past two seasons with Illawarra Stingrays U18 and NPL reserve side.
After joining Manly mid-season last year from Bankstown City, Daisy Arrowsmith has confirmed another season with the club.
Goalkeeper Nicole Simonsen is among the re-signings, along with Caitlin Jarvie, Emily Bastow, Phoebe Gilbane, Ruby Jackson, Nicole Stuart, Grace Arnold, Tegan Biasi, Emily Minett, Mia Bales, Leah Burton and Alexia Forner.
Northern Tigers FC
The Northern Tigers have a new look side both on and off the pitch, with new coach Chris Wood putting his mark on the team.
Former New Zealand youth international Charlotte Mortlock moves across the ditch from Canterbury United in the NZ Premier League.
Canterbury teammate Nicola Dominikovich has also joined the Tigers after a few years playing in New Zealand, while consistent scorer Amy Hislop moves from Southern United.
Ameera Makunja will be a solid addition to the Tigers’ attack, moving down from Northern NSW side New Lambton, where she scored 15 goals in 16 matches last season.
Following two seasons with the Emerging Jets, Saffron Grass has committed to the Tigers while Izzy Keech prepares for her debut season after signing from Manly Vale FC.
Ella Gattorna will be looking for consistent first grade minutes with the Tigers after a mix 0f first and reserve grade with Sydney Uni last season.
A solid showing in reserves last season has earned Olivia Cartwright a spot in the first grade side, while Phoebe Handcock arrives from Bulls FC Academy where she featured in their reserve, first and U18 sides in 2023.
Lily McMahon will wear the captain’s armband for the Tigers in her third season with the club, with Jade McAtamney, Beth Bernadi and Jessie Wharepouri all coming back for another year.
NWS Spirit
The Spirit are another side forced to undergo leadership changes, with Tony Candy replacing now A-League assistant coach Tiana Gauci as manager.
Sydney FC captain Nat Tobin is expected to return to the Spirit once she recovers from an ACL tear suffered in the opening round of the ALW season.
Two new signings have been confirmed for the 2024 season with Savannah Murray moving up from League One with the Mariners Academy, and Siena Hawkins joining the first grade side from the Sydney University U18 squad.
Top reserve grade scorer Clare Holder is back with the first team, along with Pene Bonovas, Victoria Martin, Nikkita Fazzari and Kayla Osborn.
Skipper Morgan Roberts is among the returning players as well as Erin Pridmore, Kaiya Buchanan, Erin Tavares, Tamsin Buchanan, Natalie Casha and goalkeeper Mio Nemoto.
It’s unclear if current ALW players Rola Badawiya (Central Coast Mariners), Mary Stanic-Floody (Canberra United), Sophie Harding and Ella Abdul-Massih (Western Sydney Wanderers) will return to the NPL at the end of the season.
Sydney Olympic FC
Following an inconsistent season in 2023, Sydney Olympic has recruited well and will make a strong push for the finals this year.
Gabrielle Peak and Maxine Peak move across town from Sydney Uni, which has been hit hard with departures following coach Emily Husband’s promotion to the ALW with the Central Coast Mariners.
Two more Sydney Uni departures to Olympic are Tayla Agostino and Tara Baudana, who both gained some solid first grade experience in 2023.
Former Bulls FC reserves goalkeeper Susanna Behne-Smith has been solid during trial matches for Olympic, as has has her former teammate Danielle Rutstein.
Demi Koulizakis joins Olympic from the relegated Bankstown City and brings more than 10 matches of ALW experience, while her former teammate Rochelle Borromeo has also made the switch.
Japanese import Aya Yamahata has made the big move to Sydney from the Japanese Nadeshiko League team Orca Kamogawa FC.
Two new faces will line-up in goals with Behne-Smith sharing duties with Sayaka Koyama, who made her debut in the NPL Women NSW from Bulli FC in the Football South Coast Women’s Premier League.
Sydney University SFC
New coach Oz Rawley was forced to change some of the line-up set up by his predesessor Emily Husband before her departure to the A-League.
Tess Quilligan joined Husband at the Central Coast Mariners, while Holly Caspers signed with Western Sydney Wanderers.
Instead of recruiting from other teams, Rawley has promoted from within, with only former Manly player Ruby Egan-Brown a confirmed first team signing.
Charlotte Hampshire, Tayla Cvetkovski, Amelia Kirby, Charlotte Hogan, Maddie van Dijk and goalkeeper Chelsea Hromek have been given the call-up to the first team after featuring in the U18 and reserve grade squads last season.
Anna Hunt, sister of Matilda’s player Clare, is among those returning along with Frances Lechner, Amelia Feeny, Jamie Beaufils, Ava Pritchard, Talia Kapetanellis, Katie Tyo, Sarah Farrow, Sydney McQuillan and goalie Sophia Varley.
With a relatively young team, it’s likely Rawley will recruit some A-League players to boost the squad mid season.
UNSW FC
Newly promoted team UNSW FC has recruited to be competitive in it’s first season in the NPL.
The new team also has a new coach, with former Matildas senior analyst Patrick McCann taking the reins for their inaugural season.
Experienced forward Allira Toby joins from Sydney Olympic, and also has ALW appearances with Sydney FC, Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar.
Sarah Moore and Leia Puxty move south with UNSW from the Northern NSW NPL with New Lambton and Adamstown Rosebuds respectively, while Abigail Evetts makes the big move to NSW from NPL Queensland where she played for Lions FC.
Sabine Montenegro will be looking for solid first grade minutes after jumping ship from the relegated Bankstown City, while UNSW student Chloe Smith heads into the top flight from League One side Central Coast Mariners Academy.
Goalkeeper Grace Gilhawley hasn’t moved far, joining UNSW from local rivals Inter Lions while Izzy King moves from Bulls FC.
A few players have made the jump from League One along with the club, including the experienced Hannah Beard, French import Margaux Montegut and goalkeeper Tiahna Robertson.
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