More teams, more rounds, more opportunities to unearth future Matildas and grow the game in Australia. Matt Comito explains the latest exciting development for the Liberty A-League.
The Liberty A-League is expanding once again, with the APL confirming on Wednesday that Central Coast Mariners have received a provisional licence to become the league’s 12th team in 2023-24, subject to FA Board approval.
The inclusion of Western United in 2022-23 and Central Coast the following campaign ensures the league will rise to a 12-team, full home-and-away competition by 2023-24.
In 2022-23, the season leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the 11-team competition will feature 20 rounds, beginning on November 18 with the Grand Final scheduled to take place on the weekend of the 29-30th of April 2023. The 20-round season will feature 18 regular-season games per club, with 16 weekend rounds and two midweek rounds.
Then, attention will turn to the first full home-and-away, 12-team season in 2023-24.
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The 2023-24 season will provide Liberty A-League players with a total of 1980 regular season minutes to aspire to play – in line with global benchmarks set by England’s Women’s Super League, America’s National Women’s Soccer League and France’s Division 1 Feminine. Those leagues are currently home to some of our highest profile Matildas.
Western United and Central Coast’s inclusions bring the total number of new Liberty A-League teams since APL ownership to three and the 2023-24 season will be the third in succession in which the league has expanded – a run which began with Wellington Phoenix’s inaugural campaign in 2021-22.
The eagerly-anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will draw global attention to women’s football in the two host nations.
A-Leagues CEO Danny Townsend says the APL is eager to ensure the showpiece event leaves a lasting and sustainable legacy on the domestic game in Australia, as it takes place alongside the ALW’s expansion.
“In the 18 months since we have been running the professional game in Australia, we will increase the number of regular season matches from 70 to 132, finally bringing Australia in line with global benchmarks and ensuring more opportunities for women to play at the highest level and for girls to benefit from the role models and expanded professional pathways this investment creates,” Townsend said.
“We are just 12 months out from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we want to make sure that every girl and woman in Australia has the opportunity to build and grow a lasting relationship with football, the country’s most participated in sport.”
Professional Footballers Association CEO Kate Gill said: “Today represents a significant step forward for women’s football in Australia that not only brings to life the players’ vision for a full home and away competition, but indicates the APL’s intent and belief in growing the women’s game.
“Thanks to the genuine partnership with the APL, the players have played a central role in helping to design a competition that delivers meaningful employment, a professional career path and a strong and sustainable league that will develop the next generation of Australian talent.”
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 chief operating officer Jane Fernandez congratulated the APL for “following the growth trajectory of women’s football right around the world.”
“This is a once in a generation opportunity,” Fernandez added. “We are heading towards Qatar, where the Socceroos have just qualified to play. Then we move towards the expanded Liberty A-League, with the Grand Final to be held right on the eve of the expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup with, for the first time, 32 teams playing in the competition.”
“The benefits and the opportunities are huge, and it’s not just for the players, there are benefits also for those who want to volunteer, to coach and to be leaders in our game.”
