Fans of National Premier Leagues NSW have an exciting new destination to catch the action with Football NSW and Football Queensland today launching a landmark streaming service in partnership with leading sports media and data agency Sportradar. 

The new NPL.TV platform will broadcast more than 1,000 free, live and on-demand games throughout the 2020 season, with thrilling talent, goals and drama from the NPL Men’s and Women’s competitions becoming more accessible than ever.

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge said: ”NPL fans are among the most passionate in Australia and NPL.TV will provide fans with a feast of live games, replays and highlights each week. The success of our live broadcasts over the past four seasons has seen increased interest and support for our NPL NSW competitions and by introducing the new service we will make our competitions more accessible to supporters in Australia and around the world.

Football NSW Head Of Commercial Brian Meinrath said: “Our partnership with Football Queensland and Sportradar is a defining moment for the National Premier Leagues.  NPL.TV provides us with the means to control the delivery of the NPL to our fans and monitor how they interact with our content..  By aggregating content on the one platform, it gives us a huge opportunity to present existing fans with superior live and on-demand content as well as showcase our leagues to a new and expanding audience.”

The new OTT service is compatible with Chromecast and Airplay, allowing content to be streamed from mobile devices to television screens.

NPL.TV is free to Australian-based fans and will initially be available through all web browsers, with iOS and Android apps available soon.

Subscribers can upgrade to a ‘premium’ Full HD offering for a small monthly charge.

The move from social media streaming to Sportradar’s OTT platform enables Football NSW to control the content, access deeper, data-driven insights into viewer behaviour and to tell more engaging stories to fans.

David Edwards, Director of Sports Media and Partnerships, Oceania, Sportradar, said: “Today’s partnership agreement is the first-of-its-kind in the region and we’re proud to have jointly developed the OTT platform with Football NSW & Football Queensland.

“Competitions are thriving across various footballing codes in Australia at the moment, and we’re seeing an increasing demand from both state-based and national sporting federations in establishing direct-to-consumer streaming platforms.

“Niche competitions suit the OTT distribution model by allowing rights holders to take control of their assets and develop a direct relationship with their fans on their own terms. We look forward to helping National Premier Leagues competitions increase digital revenues and supercharge their fan engagement through our unique, data-driven approach to OTT.”

Football fans will be able to begin accessing live streams, highlights and full match replays at NPL.TV from Friday, 20 March.

Stay tuned for more information on how to access the NPL.TV platform.

The time has come yet again as Australia’s Premier National Premier Leagues competition, the NPL NSW Men’s kick’s off this weekend with 12 clubs set to go head to head in the pursuit of the Premiership and Championship trophy.

The reigning NPL Champions Wollongong Wolves will hope to defend its Premiership as Luke Wilkshire prepares for his assault on the league while the APIA Leichhardt Tigers are hoping they can continue on with winning silverware after clinching last year’s dramatic Grand Final trophy.

Former NSL giants Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58 and Marconi Stallions will once again be pushing themselves to the limit in rediscovering their winning formulas with the hope of landing the big jackpot come September while the likes of the Rockdale Illinden FC, Manly United, Sutherland Sharks, Blacktown City, Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Sydney FC will be on hand to ruffle a few feathers – and you never know, this list may boost the next Champion.

North Shore Mariners will be the new kids on the block looking at making a statement but one things for sure, the 2020 NPL NSW Men’s competition will be one of the fiercest seasons yet.

Here’s a breakdown on what to expect from each club.

APIA Leichhardt FC

Coach: John Calleja

2019 finish: Second (Grand Final winners)

Major signings: Jeremy Cox, Patrick Scibilio, Mitchell Gibbs, Gavin De Niese

Star of the Future: Dom Nasrabadi

Player to Watch out for: Sean Symons

Third time was a charm for APIA Leichhardt in 2019 with the NPL NSW Men’s powerhouse shaking the monkey off their back to claim long awaited grand final success.

As the reigning champions they will be a target for every other team in the competition and the pressure will be on coach John Calleja to keep his side performing at such a high level.

APIA have brought in former Sutherland Sharks and Sydney FC Youth striker Jeremy Cox as well as his former Sky Blues teammate Patrick Scibilio this season to add some young blood into what is an ageing squad.

However, APIA will once again rely on the same spine of stars including the Symons brothers, Club hero Franco Parisi, Adrian Ucchino and Ivan Necevski to get the job done in 2020.

The club has also moved quickly to appoint veteran player Nick Stavroulakis as the the assistant to Calleja while former South Melbourne midfielder Gavin De Niese has also put pen to paper at the Inner West club.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2020: Sean Symons, Josh Symons, Franco Parisi, Nick Stavroulakis, Ivan Necevski, Luke Turnbull, Themba Muata Marlow, Paul Galimi, Adrian Ucchino, Corey Biczo, Michael Kouta, Chris Payne, Lachlan Hughes, Dom Nasrabadi, Mitchell Gibbs, Patrick Scibilio, Jeremy Cox, Camil Abouchaya, Nick Azzone, Gavin De Niese

Blacktown City FC

Coach: Mark Crittenden

2019 finish: Third

Major signings:  Hassan Jalloh

Star of the Future: Suley Bangura

Player to Watch out for: Grant Lynch

Blacktown City has flown under the radar this offseason but don’t expect them to fall off in season 2020.

Season 2019 was supposed to be a major fall from grace for the club from Lily Homes Stadium after the departure of more than half of their squad. Instead they remained a finals contender with a team of young determined stars led by renowned head coach Mark Crittenden.

Crittenden will be looking to use the same formula again this time around so don’t be surprised to see this team in action come finals time.

The club were dealt with a huge blow prior to the season kicking off losing the inspirational Joey Gibbs who has since signed a professional deal in Iceland. Light on depth, the club’s quality youth products will be put to the test as the NPL NSW Men’s will surely see more quality youngsters unearthed at Lily Homes Stadium in 2020.

Blacktown City 2020: Alen Aganovic, Daniel Araujo, Dakota Askew, Jackson Bandiera, Suley Bangura, Adam Berry, Daniel Bragg, Lachlan Campbell, Daniel Collins, Rhett De Silva, Carlos De Oliveira, Leroy Jennings, Matthew Lewis, Grant Lynch, Will Mutch, Dylan Niski, Tristan Prendergast, Yianni Spyrakis

 

Marconi Stallions

Coach: Peter Tsekenis

2019 finish: Fifth

Major signings: Lachlan Roberts, Dion Shaw, Mark Rodic, Anthony Costa

Star of the Future: Lachlan Sepping

Player to Watch out for: Martin Fernandez

Consistency will be the key for Marconi Stallions in 2020 as they look to break into the finals for the first time since returning to the NSW top flight.

Despite boasting a star-studded squad, The Stallions paid the price for ill-disciplined play last season as they narrowly missed the finals.

They have re-signed the majority of their squad and have the look of title contenders if they can get it all together on the pitch.

One player to watch out for will be former Adelaide City gun Anthony Costa. The South Australian is hoping that he can replicate his form he produced with City at the ‘Palace’.

Marconi Stallions 2020: Lachlan Roberts, Liam Youlley, Marko Jesic, Martin Fernandez, Nenad Vekic, Brandon Vella, James Andrew, Sean O’Connell, Lachlan Sepping, Zac Cairncross, Mitchell Mallia, Giorgio Speranza, Roberto Speranza, Anthony Frangie, Nathan Millgate, Connor Evans, Anthony Costa, Dion Shaw, Mark Rodic

 

Manly United FC

Coach: Paul Dee

2019 finish: Ninth

Major signings: Marley Peterson, Jack Fulton, Paul Katsetis, Richie Cardozo, Dean Bereveskos

Star of the Future: Marley Peterson

Player to Watch out for: Brendan Cholakian

It’s been a tough two seasons for Manly United as they struggled to back up their 2017 Championship win instead finishing near the bottom of the ladder.

Although not being outclassed in the majority of matches, Manly have lacked a clinical edge to their game which has seen them struggle.

It will be on longtime coach Paul Dee to help his young team discover that winning x-factor in 2020 as they push for a return to finals football.

The club has received a boost with the signing of former junior Marley Peterson while journeyman Richie Cardozo has come back to the club after spending time overseas as well as at rival NPL clubs. Dee also strengthened his squad with recruitment of former Dandenong Thunder midfielder Dean Bereveskos, who did play NPL as the Sydneysider spent time with the Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

Manly United 2020 Team:  Sam Gallagher, Brendan Cholakian, Dom Ferguson, Kieren Paull, Brad McDonald, Dylan Mitchell, Sasa Macura, Joe Fox, James Georgaklis, Harry McCarthy, Sam Benton, Luca Kmet, Finn Ashton, Patrick Weir, Marley Peterson, Mark McManus, Paul Katsetis, Jack Fulton, Richie Cardozo, Dean Bereveskos.

 

Mount Druitt Town Rangers

Coach: Aiden Desmond

2019 finish: Seventh

Major signings: Mateo Poljak, Travis Oughtred, Aaron Avery, Hussein Jasli, Daniel Fogarty

Star of the Future: Ismail Hares

Player to Watch out for: Mirjan Pavlovic

Mt Druitt Town Rangers delivered a huge first season in the NPL NSW in 2019 and will be looking for nothing less than a place in the finals this time around.

The Rangers have made a big splash in the offseason bringing in former Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets midfielder Matteo Poljak to lead the midfield as well as veteran defender Travis Oughtred to bolster the backline.

One big omission from the team is Uruguayan ace midfielder Fabricio Fernandez who has since returned back to his country of birth.

Mt Druitt have shown they can mix it with the best and with a little bit of consistency and an improved defensive showing they can easily finish the season at the top end of the table.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2020: Carlos Saliadarre, Jake Mamone, Solomon Monahan-Vaiika, Blake Thompson, Lord Darkoh, Alex Boyadjian, Josh Gould, Toufic Alameddine, Cooper Coskerie, Ismail Hares, Mateo Poljak, Travis Oughtred, Aaron Avery, Hussein Jasli, Daniel Fogarty, Mirjan Pavlovic, Robert Fanella, Luke Clifford.

 

North Shore Mariners

Coach: Joe Haywood

2019 finish: NPL2 Premiers

Major signings: Panny Nikas, Emmanuel Peters, Danial Dias, Keanu Imic, Charlie Cox

Star of the Future: Emmanuel Peters

Player to Watch out for: Brian Jamba

It will be a case of sink or swim for competition new boys North Shore Mariners in 2020.

Newly promoted after finishing on top of NPL2 in 2019, The Mariners will need results fast if they are to stay in the NSW top flight past this season.

Mercurial midfielder Panny Nikas will be the main attraction this season for North Shore but their hopes could ride on whether the talented playmaker can ditch the injury woes which have held him back over the past 18 months. However an unfortunate facial injury during a pre-season match has seen the club lose the former NPL NSW Men’s Player of the Year’s services for the first two to three rounds.

North Shore Mariners 2020: Ryan Wood, Joel Tinker, Jesse Piriz, Rainer Smahel, Chris Lindsay, Hugo Forlico, Daniel Saric, Brian Jamba, Sean Eve, Marquin Smith, Mitch Smith, Braden Cheng, Damir Prodanovic, Emmanuel Peters, Danial Dias, Keanu Ismic, Charlie Cox, Panny Nikas

Rockdale Illinden FC

Coach: Steven Zoric

2019 finish: tenth

Major signings: Mitchell Stamatellis, Dimi Petratos, James Baldacchino, Tomislav Arcaba, Tomoki Wada, Banri Kanaizumi

Star of the Future: Mark Moric

Player to Watch out for: Alec Urosevski

It was a horror season for Rockdale in 2019 with coach Paul Reid sacked in the opening weeks of the campaign with the coaching change doing little to inspire the side as the slumped to a tenth place finish.

New boss Steven Zoric will have a lot of work to do if he is to get the Suns back on track this season with finals football expected at the club.

Rockdale has moved on after the failed Panni Nikas experiment and will hope Japanese playmaker Tomoki Wada can be the spark which helps them rediscover their groove.

Rockdale Illinden FC 2020: Banri Kanaizumi, James Baldacchino, Tomislav Arcaba, Jordan Figon, Brayden Sorge, Nikola Taneski, Alec Urosevski, Matthew Lecce, Patrick Savor, Jake Trajkovski,  Michael Neill, David Bradasevic, Daniel Petkovski, Amaury Gauthier, Mark Moric,  Tomoki Wada, Sam Gulisano, Mitchell Stamatellis, Dimi Petratos.

 

Sutherland Sharks FC

Coach: Nick Dimovski

2019 finish: eighth

Major signings: Blake Powell, Peter Simonoski, Jonathan Grozdanovski, Oliver Green, Joey Groenbast  

Star of the Future: Harry Sutherland

Player to Watch out for: Mason Versi

Change is afoot at Seymour Shaw park and a new look Sutherland Sharks team hopes they can end the club’s long finals drought in 2020.

Rookie coach Nick Dimovski has been lifted into the top job at the Sharks after finding success with their Under-20 teams.

He has made some big signings, including former NPL NSW Golden Boot Blake Powell, to bolster what is quickly becoming a squad opposition teams shouldn’t take lightly.

Adding to that least is former Dutch defender Joey Groenbast who is hoping he can put through a big year for the club to gain the attention of A-League clubs.

2019 was a rollercoaster ride for Sharks fans and if Dimovski can get his team rolling expect more highs than lows in the Shire.

Sutherland Sharks 2020: Marc Warren, Lachlan Everett, Blair Brown, Adam Massoud, Brodie Clarkson, Harry Sutherland, James Temelkovski, Thomas Papa, Patrick O’Shea, Jarred Wiley, James Carlie, Mario Aleksic, Blake Powell, Peter Simonoski, Jonathan Grozdanovski, Oliver Green, Ryan Norval, Mason Versi, Bradley Walker, Gabriel Contigianni, Connor Shaddock, Joey Groenbast

 

Sydney FC

Coach: Jim van Weeren

2019 finish: Eleventh

Major signings: Yinka Sunmola, Jaiden Kucharski

Star of the Future: Anton Mlinaric

Player to Watch out for: Adam Pavlesic

Sydney FC could be set to face their biggest test in the NPL NSW competition in 2020.

The Young Sky Blues have always punched above their weight and made life very difficult for the league’s heavy hitters.

Expect more of the same from Jim van Weeren’s side this year but they might need to do a little bit more if they are to avoid relegation.

Without the security blanket of Club Championship points, Sydney FC will need to ask even more of their academy of rising stars as they look to maintain their place in the NSW top flight.

Sydney FC 2020: Yinka Sunmola, Jordi Swibel, Benjamin Koop, Jaiden Kucharski, Marco Tilio, Ryan Teague, Thomas Fay, Callum Talbot, Jake Hollman, Calem Nieuwenhof, Aaron Gurd, Fletcher McFarlane, Scott Browning, Thomas Main, Adam Pavlesic, Levi Kaye, Cameron Peupion, Anton Mlinaric, Cameron Fong, Jayden Trenkoski

 

Sydney Olympic FC

Coach: Terry Palapanis

2019 finish: sixth

Major signings: Anthony Bouzanis, Raul Beneit Romero, Adam Parkhouse, Fabio Ferreira, Sebastian Ryall, Bai Antoniou, Charles Lokolingoy, Shato Kohno, James Cakovski

Star of the Future: Giovanni Panuccio

Player to Watch out for: Jason Madonis

Sydney Olympic mean business in 2020 and new coach Terry Palapanis is determined to get the Belmore based side back to the top of the NPL NSW

Palapanis has not held back in the recruitment stakes bringing in a number of big name signings including former A-League winger Fabio Ferreira, Spanish playmaker Raul Beneit Romero and former Wellington Phoenix flyer Adam Parkhouse.

The recruitment spree will help make up for the loss of star striker Alejandro Sanchez while talismaniic shot stopper Paul Henderson has also stepped aside after his incredible tenure between the posts with Anthony Bouzanis taking the number one jersey this season.

On paper Olympic will be tough to beat but the challenge for Palapanis will be whether he get his star studded side performing to their potential each week.

Sydney Olympic 2020: Anthony Bouzanis, Bai Antoniou, Raul Beneit Romero, Alexander Lopez, Will Angel, Jason Madonis, Adam Parkhouse, Hagi Gligor, Nicola Kuleski, Darcy Burgess, Jack Stewart, Zac Mackenzie, Tom Whiteside, Nik Tsattalios, Bill Patramanis, Peter Kekeris, Giovanni Panuccio, Shato Kohno, James Cakovski

Sydney United 58 FC

Coach: Zjelko Kalac

2019 finish: Fourth (Grand Final runners-up)

Major signings: Daniel Nizic, Devante Clut, Adrian Vranic, Jacob Esposito

Star of the Future: Michael Ruhs

Player to Watch out for: Liam Rose

It could be an exciting year at Sydney United Sports Centre with a new coach and some new faces hoping to build on last season’s grand final defeat.

Former AC Milan and Socceroos shot stopper Zjelko Kalac returns to lead United this campaign and has pledged to put it all on the line as he makes his head coaching debut.

Talented playmaker Devante Clut makes the move to Edensor Park this season while striker Adrian Vranic returns after two seasons away.

Sydney United’s run to the 2019 grand final was incredible, however it glossed over what was a fairly inconsistent year from what is a very talented team.

Expect Kalac to have his team playing exciting football as they set out to go one better in 2020.

Sydney United 58 2020: Thomas Manos, Jordan Roberts, Yianni Fragogiannis, Adrian Vlastelica, Christian Gonzalez, Adrian Vranic, Matthew Bilic, Anthony Tomelic, Patrick Antelmi, Glen Trifiro, Yianni Perkatis, Tariq Maia, Matthew Sim, Liam Rose, Joshua Macdonald, Daniel Nizic, Jacob Esposito, Devante Clut, Michael Ruhs, Luke Vlastelica.

 

Wollongong Wolves FC

Coach: Luke Wilkshire

2019 finish: First

Major signings: Hamish Lamberton, Ethan Kambisios, Marcus Beattie, Hayden Duros

Star of the Future: Hamish Lamberton

Player to Watch out for: Thomas James

The sleeping giant awoke last season with Wollongong Wolves taking the NPL NSW by storm in a big way en route to winning the Premiership.

Although falling short in the finals, coach Luke Wilkshire has returned and will have his side determined to prove their success wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

Wilkshire has once again raided the Illawarra Premier League for undiscovered gems while also keeping star striker Thomas James.

While they won’t have the surprise factor this season, Wollongong will be the team to beat.

Wollongong Wolves 2020: Brendan Griffin, Chris Price, Darcy Madden, Guy Knight, Harry Callahan, Justin Pasfield, Lachlan Scott, James Stojcevski, Nicholas Littler, Nikola Djordjevic, Stefan Dimoski, Taylor McDonald, Takeru Okada, Thomas James, Ethan Kambisios, Marcus Beattie, Hayden Durose, Hamish Lamberton, Liam Wille, Bul Juach.