Football Queensland (FQ) can confirm it will make available up to three new National Premier Leagues Women’s (NPLW) Queensland licences for the coming 2020 season as part of an ongoing and comprehensive review into football competitions.

The issuing of up to three additional NPLW licences will offer an exciting opportunity for clubs that have been focusing on the women’s game and who now believe they can support the elite pathway and the growth and development of the women’s game across Queensland.

Coupled with the intended expansion of the NPLW to 16 teams, the 2020 season will see the formation of two competitions comprised of eight clubs in each.

Designed to deliver improved competitiveness across the NPLW, the allocation of clubs across the two competitions will occur initially through a process that is currently under review and will be finalised by a working group of stakeholders from across the NPL and NPLW competitions.

Each potential licensee will be required to field teams in the following age categories: Senior Women, Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13.

As part of the review, FQ has introduced additional criteria which will be fundamental to the issuing of any new licences. ‘For the Good of the Girls Game’ requires clubs to address important requirements that significantly contribute to the improved success of the women’s game.

Clubs that can demonstrate how they will lift the standard of the NPLW competition and can provide pathway opportunities for women and girls to enter the elite system in a sustainable way must also meet the following criteria:

• The club must provide a comprehensive and documented ‘Women’s Football Strategy’ outlining how they intend to meet the objectives of the assessment criteria
• The club must demonstrate its capacity on how it currently or intends to provide dedicated female friendly/compliant facilities to accommodate women and girls
• The club must demonstrate how it is delivering dedicated female football programs that lift the technical standard and quality of women’s football

Clubs interested in applying can email NPLLicencing@footballqueensland.com.au to obtain the information and application pack.

Applications will be accepted until close of business on Friday, 20 September 2019.