Southern United will meet some fresh faces in the National Women’s League this season.
The league has been given a revamp, expanding from eight teams to 10 and reverting to one round rather than two.
Nine rounds will be played starting on Saturday week, culminating in the final between the top two teams on November 26, a double-header with the men’s league final.
Among the new teams are CF Waterside Karori and CF Wellington United, which are club-federation partnership teams, and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
Auckland will be represented by defending champions Eastern Suburbs, Kate Sheppard Cup winners Western Springs, Auckland United, and newcomers Ellerslie.
Canterbury United and Central Football return, alongside Southern United.
Southern United coach Kris Ridley said the expansion of the league was a step forward for women’s football.
"It’s obviously very positive that we have more teams in the league," Ridley said.
"I’d love it to be two [rounds], but I understand the reasons why it isn’t two — the loading on the girls and things like that."
While the new additions were good, they also made it harder.
Other teams played together in other leagues for the past 25 weeks compared to Southern United, where players were scattered across various Dunedin clubs and then came together for Southern United duties.
"I think it’s going to be a tough season. I think a lot tougher than last year."
But Southern United, who have been allocated five home games, proved they can cut it with the big teams last season when they finished fourth — the highest-placed team south of Auckland — and secured three draws and two wins against the top three sides.
They had managed to "broaden our scopes" for players this season, sporting a full squad of 18 players and a wider squad of 25.
They held their first official training session earlier this week and made their mark, Ridley said.
"I’m very impressed, actually.
"Their attitude to training [is] exceptional and that’s only the first sort of session."
Southern United will face Eastern Suburbs at home in their opening game on Sunday week.
Southern United
The schedule
— Eastern Suburbs, Logan Park, Sept 24
— Wellington Phoenix, Petone Memorial, Oct 1
— Western Springs, Logan Park, Oct 8
— CF Wellington United, Wakefield Park, Oct 14
— Canterbury United Pride, Logan Park, Oct 22
— Auckland United, Keith Hay Park, Oct 29
— CF Waterside Karori, Logan Park, Nov 4
— Central Football, Massey University, Nov 11
— Ellerslie, Logan Park, Nov 19
