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Sutherland Sharks return for big 2021 season

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sutherland Sharks are back in full swing after the club decided not to participate during the 2020 rebooted season with coach Nick Dimovski making a statement announcing some key new signings ready to rock ‘n’ roll at Seymour Shaw this year.

A string of former Sharks players have returned to the club as have a couple of local Shire products that are sure to boost Dimovski’s stocks for the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s competition.

“In what was a difficult 2020 for all Australians due to COVID, we are now looking forward to bouncing back into the winners circle for the upcoming season,” said Dimovski.

“We have made a few handy signings and have been able to resign a few of the boys from the previous year to ensure we will be very competitive and ready for the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season.”

Goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis has returned to the club after his stint with Sydney Olympic while striker Jeremy Cox, a Sharks product, also makes his comeback following his time with Sydney FC and APIA Leichhardt last season.

Chris McStay, son of Celtic legend Paul, is back at Seymour for another crack at success after spending time playing professionally in Scotland with Scottish League One outfit Clyde FC. McStay played 23 matches for the club before returning home due to the heavy impact COVID-19 had on the competition.

Lethal speedster James Andrews is yet another player making his comeback with the Sky Blues outfit, a huge acquisition, his talent up-front will no doubt add more fire into the Sharks attack and this was shown during his time with Blacktown City and Marconi Stallions.

The club has boosted its defensive lines with Brandon Hooper, Nick Petrillo and former Northbridge FC skipper Chris Lindsay all signing with the club while promising young utility Patrick Scibilio has made the move from APIA to the Sharks.

One young gun to watch out for will be former Sydney FC youth striker Alex Masciovecchio. Holding some impressive stats with an eye for goal, Dimovski will no doubt unleash the talent the youngster possesses for his opportunity to shine in NSW’s top tier men’s competition.

The club has promoted two Under 20 players with Charlie Jones and Luke Sayer winning first team contracts while the likes of Patrick O’Shea, Adam Massoud, Jarrad Wiley, Gabriel Contigiani, Oliver Green, Harry Sutherland, Lachlan Everett, Mason Versi, Jonathon Grozdanovski and Peter Simonoski have all resigned.

The Sharks take on the Northbridge Bulls on Saturday 27th of February at the Fairfield Showgrounds to kick off their 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season.

The only way is up for APIA Leichhardt

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After a forgettable 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s campaign, 2019 Champions APIA Leichhardt have shown its intentions via its 2021 player signings that they mean business as they prepare for their round 1 clash against Blacktown City on Saturday 27th of February at Lambert Park.

The 2020 rebooted season saw John Calleja’s men finish at the foot of the ladder collecting seven points from eleven matches which saw the club unearth a few youngsters – but early 2021 signs are there that the former NSL side will be hunting for some silverware.

The return of former National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Golden Boot award winner and APIA striker Blake Powell has certainly raised the club’s attacking stocks agreeing to terms as Chris Payne has since moved back to his former club Sydney United 58.

The former Sydney FC attacker was a cult hero at Lambert Park in 2015 especially where he notched up an incredible 21 goals which led to the 29-year-old to clinching the Golden Boot award.

Powell will be joined by fellow new additions, busy former Wollongong Wolves midfielder Harry Callahan, ex-Blacktown City young gun William Mutch and hot-shot striker Hassan Jalloh.

Also returning to Lambert Park after spending some time playing in the U.S. is diminutive midfielder Sam McIIhatton.

The club have resigned a number of its long serving stalwarts, keeper Ivan Necevski ,who took the season off in 2020, Paul Galimi, Sean and Josh Symons, Corey Biczo, Themba Muata-Marlow, Adrian Ucchino, Michael Kouta, Luke Turnbull, David D’Apuzzo and the maestro Franco Parisi.

Tynan Diaz who came to the club late in 2020 will once again feature as will the exciting Mitchell Gibbs while the club has given senior deals to youngsters Nick Azzone, Gian Fiorese, Christian Cirino, Vincenzo Melissari and Vincent Fedele.

Long serving National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s stalwart Nick Stavroulakis will once again assist Calleja as the proud club sets its sights on reclaiming Premiership and Championship honours.

Tarek Elrich becomes a Mt Druitt Town Ranger

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In what’s been seen as a massive coup for the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has come the news that Mt Druitt Town Rangers have secured the services of former Socceroo and A-League star Tarek Elrich for the 2021 season.

Having played well over 250 A-League matches for the likes of the Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers, Adelaide United and Perth Glory, Elrich’s prized signing at the Rangers has certainly boosted Franco Cosentino’s squad for the upcoming NPL NSW Men’s season.

The marauding 34-year-old right back joins the Rangers with a firm focus on winning silverware as well as joining a club continually setting goals and expectations for success.

Elrich’s decision to step back from playing professionally to join Mt Druitt was a combination of reasons which included establishing his own business, being close to his family and friends after fifteen years on the road as well as linking up with family members who are currently at the club.

“It’s time to focus on the future with my family and play for a club that’s primary goal is to win things.

“I never wanted to stop playing the game I love so the NPL was always my next option.

“It’s great to train at the Rangers and link up again with some of the lads that I have played with and against at other A-League clubs previously, so settling in was quite easy knowing some of the players.

“We’re working really hard in preseason now and have friendly games coming up soon so we will be ready for our round 1 match against Manly United.”

Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ Director of Football Stewart Montgomery highlighted the positive energy and humility Tarek has already brought to the club.

“For a guy that’s played for the Socceroos, won two A-League Grand Finals and played nearly 300 games, he has fitted in perfectly.

“In the short time here we have already seen his leadership and voice as well as presence on the training field stand out. The whole squad has lifted. There is a great energy around the place and we cannot wait for our round 1 clash against Manly United at Cromer Park on the 26th of February.”

Macarthur FC announce partnership with Northbridge FC for NPL Season

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Macarthur FC are pleased to announce an agreement with current NPL top tier club Northbridge FC for the upcoming 2021 NPL season and beyond.

The agreement will see the Northbridge NPL Boys & Girls Youth, as well as the NPL Men’s & Women’s team become part of the Macarthur FC family.

The agreement will see all teams play as Northbridge FC Bulls with playing kits incorporating both the Northbridge and Macarthur FC logos respectively.

Current Northbridge NPL Boys and Girls youth programs, together with the NPL Women’s programs will remain based in the north metro area.

The arrangement will provide additional career progression opportunities for players into the A-League & the eventual Macarthur FC W-League team.

As a part of the collaboration, Macarthur FC will provide access to coaching development and educational programs through clinics and seminars for Northbridge coaches.

The agreement with Northbridge FC was initiated in accordance with the current Football NSW League and Licence structure.

Macarthur FC are also in final discussions with a number of local South West NPL clubs as to how best assist their own independent NPL programs. These initiatives will be announced shortly.

The agreement between Macarthur FC and Northbridge FC has been ratified by Football Australia (FA), The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Football NSW and is a critical step for Macarthur FC’s AFC accreditation.

Wolves snap up speedster Jennings

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In one of the signings of the upcoming National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season, former Blacktown City FC high-flyer and NSW Blues representative Leroy Jennings has penned a deal with Luke Wilkshire’s Wollongong Wolves squad after agreeing to terms on Christmas Eve.

The 22-year-old attacker was seen as one of Blacktown City’s deadliest arsenals up front with his quality set to benefit his new South Coast club in more ways than one alongside the likes of new attacking teammates Thomas James, Lachlan Scott, Van Elia, Marcus Beattie, Stefan Dimoski and Hamish Lamberton.

“It’s been a crazy week I tell you.

“This decision was so hard to make as I really enjoyed my time with Blacktown City and had some great memories there.

“Moving to the Wolves was the next step for me in my development as a footballer.

“Having worked with Luke during the NSW Blues camp as well, I am really looking forward to doing my thing for my new club and the fans.”

Wilkshire was delighted with the news the speedster, who is half Italian and half Fijian/Tongan, was set to wear the Wolves colours for the upcoming season.

“Leroy is a player who suits our squad and how we work in Wollongong.

“He is exciting, hungry and a quality young talent.

“I look forward to working with him as I am sure he will compliment our squad perfectly for the new 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season.”

Jennings joins fellow new Wolves recruit and former Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United Kiwi shotstopper Aidan Munford who was also part of the NPL QLD’s Team of the Year in 2020, Van Elia and Bilal Belkadi as the clubs’ new recruits.

Even though the club has said farewell to the likes of Takeru Okada, Chris Price, Guy Knight, Bul Juach, Harry Callahan and Nick Littler, Wilkshire is set to unearth a couple of quality young local stars as well as looking at announcing a couple more new additions in the new year.

The Wolves will kick-off of their 2021 NPL NSW Men’s campaign with a huge round 1 clash against 2020 Premiers Rockdale Ilinden at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday 28th of February.