Heidelberg United to use Australia Cup as audition for National Second Division
NPL Victoria power Heidelberg United has ambitions to return to the national stage and believes its Australia Cup clash against Brisbane Roar will prove its worth.
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Heidelberg United hope to use Wednesday’s night’s Australia Cup clash as an audition for the future National Second Division competition.
The Warriors are confident the Round of 32 clash against Brisbane Roar showcases the NPL Victoria club’s on-field and off-field credentials to compete nationally.
A national second tier, being developed by Football Australia and the Association of Australian Football Clubs, would create long-awaited A-League promotion and relegation.
United believes it has the infrastructure, history and playing talent to be a leading candidate.
The club produced Socceroos captains Charlie Yankos and Kevin Muscat and striker Gary Cole, while former international Ivan Franjic will feature against the Roar.
Olympic Village can hold a 12,000-strong crowd and drew 11,000 fans to an Australia Cup tie against Melbourne City in 2015 and has one of the strongest supporter bases at NPL level in Australia.
A National Soccer League club from 1977 to 1996, Heidelberg has since established itself as a power of state football, winning a hat-trick of NPLV championships in 2017-19 and premierships in 2001 and 2018.
The Warriors went on to win the National Premier Leagues title in 2017, beating NPL champions from across Australia, and has reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals three times, upsetting Perth Glory in 2017.
General manager Helen Tyrikos said they were committed to building an A-League-calibre club.
“We’ve had grand aspirations of getting back on the national stage since missing out on an A-League from the start,” Tyrikos said.
“We’re one of the few old NSL clubs that has managed to reinvent ourselves and keep some of the history that works considering today’s political and social environment.
“Our fanbase, our active support, that’s a big item – that’s where some new A-League clubs have failed.
“Obviously, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC do OK but the rest have struggled with membership – we have diehard supporters.
“We want to showcase our facility, we’ve got a massive new $150,000 scoreboard, we’ve got a $1.8 million pitch – a surface that rivals AAMI Park, although it is looking a bit worse for wear because we’re nearing the end of our season.
“The grandstand is going to get done, the social rooms are due to be upgraded at the end of the year and we’ve got three new pitches being built out the back for the juniors.
“There’s still a lot more to come but so much work is being done because the members have lobbied state government, federal government and council.”
United’s strong women’s program is another big plus as the women’s game explodes ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
The Warriors’ NPLW team currently sits on top of the ladder with teammates Danielle Wise and Stephanie Galea joint top-scorers with 13 goals apiece.
The junior program is also one of the strongest in Victoria.
Tyrikos said it was important to build an inclusive all-club model for modern sport.
“Our first women’s team was in 1978 … our women are sitting on top at the moment so we’re still going strong,” she said.
“We have some great names, some junior Matildas and girls that play in the W-League.
“There’s also misconception … people say Heidelberg don’t promote it’s youth players but that’s not true.
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“We’ve had Deion Nikolaidis, he’s 20 and started with us as a 12-year-old, and is now playing senior football.
“Nick Eres, our second goalkeeper who’s played all our Cup matches until now – he’s injured so won’t be playing this one – he was also developed by us.”
Win or loss on Wednesday night, Heidelberg United is committed to staying on the national stage.
The Australia Cup Round of 32 clash kicks off at 7.30pm at Olympic Village, Heidelberg.
Originally published as Heidelberg United to use Australia Cup as audition for National Second Division
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