National Premier Leagues Victoria Women's
Football league
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The National Premier Leagues Victoria Women's, known commonly as the NPL Victoria Women's or NPLV Women's, is a professional women's soccer league in Victoria, Australia which serves as the top-tier of women's soccer in Victoria, and is part of the National Premier Leagues Women’s structure, which is administered by Football Victoria. Prior to the introduction of the NPL in Victoria in 2016, the league was known as the Women's Victorian Premier League.[1]
| |
| Organising body | Football Victoria |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Country | Australia |
| State |  Victoria |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Relegation to | VPL Women's |
| League cup | Nike F.C. Cup |
| Current champions | Box Hill United (2025) |
| Current premiers | Heidelberg United (2025) |
| Most championships | Box Hill United (8 titles) |
| Most premierships | Box Hill United (7 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | YouTube |
| Website | www |
| Current: 2026 NPL Victoria Women's | |
The league is contested by eleven clubs, playing a 22 round season, with the regular season running from February to September. The finals series is contested between the top four clubs, with the top two playing against third and fourth in a semi-final and the winners contesting the grand final.
WNPL Years (2016–present)
The initial members of the WNPL were Alamein, Bayside United, Bulleen Lions, Box Hill United, Calder United, Heidelberg United, Geelong Galaxy United, Senior NTC and Southern United.[1] In the following season, South Melbourne was admitted to the league who went on to win the inaugural Finals Series, 5–4 on penalties against Geelong Galaxy United.[2] South Melbourne again made the Grand Final the following season losing 3–1 to Bulleen Lions.[3][4] Despite not being crowned Champions, South Melbourne were successful in the regular season who were crowned Premiers of the 2018 season.[5] This was a feat achieved by the club as well in their initial season in the renewed league.[6] Calder United were crowned Grand Final Champions for the second time defeating Bulleen Lions 1–0.[7] This was after Calder were crowned league champions prior to the finals series.[8]
On the 27th of October 2021, Football Victoria officially announced the league would be professionalised, scrapping the amateur nature of the league.[9]
After the cancellation of both the 2020 season[10] and the 2021 season[11] due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided that no promotion/relegation would apply for the following season.
The 2023 season was the first time teams could be promoted since the restructuring of the women's divisions for the 2020 season.[12] Preston Lions FC, Boroondara-Carey Eagles, and Southern United were the teams promoted from the VPL Women's after they finished in the top three positions during the 2022 season.[13]
Football Victoria announce on 21 August 2025, that A-League Women Clubs Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City would enter an academy team into the 2026 NPLW Victoria season after years of collective lobbying.[14][15] They would replace FV Emerging team.[14] The league would also expand from 12 teams to 14 teams in the 2026 Season.
Current clubs (2026)
Avondale FC and Keilor Park were promoted from the Victorian Premier League Women's for the 2026, as well as Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City ere also admitted into the league season bringing the number of teams in the competition to 14.[14][16] The following clubs will take part in the 2026 NPL Victoria Women's season:
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Alamein | Glen Iris | Dorothy Laver West Reserve |
| Avondale FC | Parkville | Avenger Park |
| Bentleigh Greens | Cheltenham | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex |
| Boroondara-Carey Eagles | Bulleen | David Barro Stadium |
| Box Hill United | Box Hill | Wembley Park |
| Bulleen Lions | Bulleen | David Barro Stadium |
| Essendon Royals | Essendon | Cross Keys Reserve |
| Heidelberg United | Heidelberg West | Olympic Park |
| Keilor Park | Keilor Park | Keilor Park Reserve |
| Melbourne City Youth | Cranbourne East | City Football Academy |
| Melbourne Victory Youth | Bundoora | Home of the Matildas |
| Preston Lions FC | Reservoir | B.T. Connor Reserve |
| South Melbourne | Albert Park | Lakeside Stadium |
| Spring Hills | Caroline Springs | Springside Recreationa Reserve |
Honours
Honours table
| Team | Champions | Year(s) won | Premiers | Year(s) won | Total combined | Doubles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Hill United | 8 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2025 | 3 | 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 | 12 | 5 (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) |
| South Melbourne | 5 | 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2023 | 4 | 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 | 8 | 2 (2014, 2017) |
| Calder United | 3 | 2016, 2019, 2022 | 3 | 2016, 2019, 2022 | 4 | 3 (2016, 2019, 2022) |
| Heidelberg United | 2 | 2007, 2024 | 2 | 2007, 2025 | 3 | 1 (2007) |
| Bulleen Lions | 1 | 2018 | 2 | 2023, 2024 | 3 | |
| Sandringham | 1 | 2013 | 1 | 2011 | 2 | |
| Cranbourne Comets | 0 | – | 4 | 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 | 4 | |
| Ringwood City | 0 | – | 1 | 2000 | 1 | |
| Boroondara Eagles | 0 | – | 1 | 2015 | 1 |
Player records
As of 1 January 2025 (prior to commencement of 2025 NPLVW season). Players listed in bold are still actively playing in the NPLVW.
| Rank | Player | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Natasha Dakic |
140 |
| 2 | Kirstie Shearing |
135 |
| 3 | Tessa Sernio |
131 |
| 4 | Emma Robers |
130 |
| 5 | Elly Torre |
127 |
| 6 | Emily Dolzan |
126 |
| Emily Shields | ||
| 8 | Stephanie Galea |
124 |
| 9 | Sienna Fogarty |
121 |
| 10 | Erin Hudson |
120 |
Top scorers
As of 1 January 2023 (prior to commencement of 2023 NPLVW season).
| Rank | Seasons | Name | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018–2021 |  Catherine Zimmerman | 81 |
| 2 | 2016–2021 | Melina Ayres | 78 |
| 3 | 2016–2019 | Rachel Alonso | 60 |
| 4 | 2017–2022 | Aleksandra Sinclair | 57 |
| 2016–2019 | Melanie Camilleri | ||
| 6 | 2016–2019 | Caitlin Friend | 48 |
| 7 | 2017–2019 |  Angela Beard | 47 |
| 8 | 2016–2022 | Lia Privitelli | 46 |
| 9 | 2017–2019 | Kelsey Minton | 41 |
| 10 | 2016–2019 | Cindy Lay | 35 |