National Premier Leagues Northern NSW

Soccer competition in northern New South Wales

Football league

National Premier Leagues Northern NSW

Founded| 2014
1998–2013 (as Northern NSW State League)
1959–1997 (as Northern First Division)
Country|  Australia
State|  NSW
Confederation| AFC
Number of clubs| 12
Level on pyramid| 2
Relegation to| Northern League One
Domestic cup(s)| National
Australia Cup
State
Northern NSW Football State Cup
Current champions| Broadmeadow Magic (2024)
Current premiers| Broadmeadow Magic (2024)
Broadcaster(s)| YouTube[1]
Website| Northern NSW Football NPL
Current: 2025 NPL Northern NSW

The National Premier Leagues Northern NSW (NPL NNSW) is a semi-professional soccer competition in Northern New South Wales. The competition is conducted by Northern NSW Football, one of two organizing bodies in New South Wales (the other being the National Premier Leagues NSW organized by Football NSW). The league is a subdivision of the second tier National Premier Leagues (NPL), which sits below the national A-League. Prior to 2014, the league was known as the Northern NSW State Football League (1998-2013) and Northern First Division (1959-1997).

## History

[edit]

After Sydney clubs broke away from the NSW Football Association in 1958, the Northern NSW Soccer Federation was created by Newcastle and Coalfields clubs.

A 12 team Northern First Division was established with: Adamstown, Awaba, Blacksmith Rangers, Cardiff, Cessnock, Charlestown United, Lake Macquarie, Mayfield United, Merewether Advance, Newcastle Austral, Wallsend and West Wallsend.

The league, jointly with other state-based leagues, formed the highest tier of soccer in Australia until the creation of a national league, the National Soccer League (NSL), in 1977.

In 1960 the league was downsized to 10 teams with the relegation of Charlestown United and Merewether Advance to Division 2.

In 1969 the league increased to 12 teams with Cardiff and Cessnock promoted from Division 2 and no relegations that season.

Between 1982 and 1991 the league fluctuated in size between 10 and 12 teams and settled at 10 teams in 1992 until 2009.

For the 2009 season it was decided by NNSW to downsize the league to 8 teams to improve the quality and give local players a chance to enter the A-league through the competition. Highfields Azzurri and Lake Macquarie City were both demoted to the Northern NSW State League. Clubs were assessed on a set criterion which included facilities/ground (30%), financial status (25%), management (20%), playing strength/coaching staff (15%) and development program (10%). An independent body, chaired by former NSW gaming minister Richard Face, was assigned to make the decision.[2]

In 2012 the competition increased to 10 teams with the inclusion of the Newcastle Jets Youth and the promotion of Charlestown City Blues.

In 2017 the competition increased to 11 teams with Lake Macquarie promoted from the Northern League One.[3]

The 2020 season, contracted back to 10 teams after Newcastle Jets Youth moved into the NPL New South Wales structure, playing in the Sydney-based competition.

In 2022 the competition increased back to 11 teams with the promotion of Cooks Hill United, from Northern League One.[4]

In 2023 the competition increased to 12 teams with the promotion of New Lambton, from Northern League One.[5]

## Format

[edit]

The competition consists of twelve teams from around the Lower Hunter. As part of the NPL NNSWF participation conditions, in addition to the First Grade, clubs also field a reserves team and Premier Youth League teams.

The regular season takes place over 22 rounds, with each team playing each other at home and away. The team that finishes first at the end of the regular season are Premiers. The top 5 teams at the end of the regular season qualify for a finals series, with the winner of the Grand final being crowned as the NPL NNSW Champions. An example of the finals series format is shown below from the 2024 season.

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Qualifying final| | | Major semi-final| | | Preliminary final| | | Grand final
| | | |
| 1| Broadmeadow Magic| 2| | 1| Broadmeadow Magic (p)| 2 (4)
| | | | |
| | | 2| Edgeworth FC| 0| | | | | | 2| Edgeworth FC| 2 (3)
| | | | |
| 2| Lambton Jaffas| 0| | 2| Edgeworth FC| 3|
| | | | | |
| 3| Edgeworth FC| 2| | | Minor semi-final| | | 3| Charlestown Azzurri| 1| |
| | | | | |
| | |
| | 3| Lambton Jaffas| 0
| | | |
| 4| Charlestown Azzurri| 2| | | 5| Charlestown Azzurri| 4| |
| | | |
| 5| Newcastle Olympic| 0| | |
| | | | | |

## Promotion and relegation

[edit]

In 2024 promotion and relegation between the NPL and Northern League One was re-introduced.

The team finishing last (12th) of the NPL will be automatically relegated to Northern League One.

The team finishing second last (11th) will enter the promotion and relegation playoffs which will follow the following format:

* Playoff Semi-final 1 (played over 2 home and away legs): NPL 11th v Northern League One 4th

* Playoff Semi-final 2 (played over 2 home and away legs): Northern League One 2nd v Northern League One 3rd

* Playoff Final (played as a single leg): Winner of Playoff Semi-final 1 v Winner of Playoff Semi-final 2

The winner of the Playoff Final will be included in the NPL for the following season, with the losing team competing in Northern League One.

## Clubs

[edit]

The following 12 clubs will compete in the NPL NNSW for the 2025 season.

Club  | Nickname(s)  | Founded  | LGA  | Ground  | Location  | Capacity

|
|
|
|
|
|

Adamstown Rosebud | Buds  | 1889  | Newcastle  | Adamstown Oval  | Adamstown  | 2,500
Belmont Swansea United | Belswans  | 1935  | Lake Macquarie  | Blacksmiths Oval  | Blacksmiths  |
Broadmeadow Magic | Magic  | 1966  | Newcastle  | Magic Park  | Broadmeadow  | 3,500
Charlestown Azzurri | Azzurri  | 1963  | Lake Macquarie  | Lisle Carr Oval  | Whitebridge  | 3,000
Cooks Hill United | Cookers  | 1997  | Newcastle  | Fearnley Dawes Athletic Centre / No.2 Sportsground  | Newcastle West  | 750
Edgeworth | Eagles  |  | Lake Macquarie  | Jack McLaughlan Oval  | Edgeworth  | 5,000
Lambton Jaffas | Jaffas  | 1957  | Newcastle  | Arthur Edden Oval  | Lambton  | 2,000
Maitland | Magpies  | 1961  | Maitland  | Cooks Square Park  | East Maitland  | 1,500
New Lambton  | Golden Eagles  |  | Newcastle  | Alder Park  | New Lambton  | 1,000
Newcastle Olympic | Warriors  | 1976  | Newcastle  | Darling Street Oval  | Hamilton  | 1,000
Valentine | Phoenix  | 1994  | Lake Macquarie  | CB Complex  | Valentine  | 1,000
Weston Bears | Bears  | 1907  | Cessnock  | Rockwell Automation Park  | Weston  | 4,000

Adamstown

──Broadmeadow Magic

Cooks Hill United

Lambton Jaffas

New Lambton

Newcastle Olympic

class=notpageimage|

Location of 2025 NPL NNSW clubs within metropolitan Newcastle

Newcastle

Belmont Swansea United

──Charlestown Azzurri

Edgeworth──

Maitland

Valentine─

Weston Bears─

class=notpageimage|

Location of 2025 NPL NNSW clubs

## Honours

[edit]

### NNSW NPL

[edit]

Season  | Premiers  | Champions  | Score  | Runners Up

|
|
|
|

2014  | Newcastle Jets Youth  | Lambton Jaffas  | 2-0  | Weston Bears
2015  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 2-0  | Hamilton Olympic
2016  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 2-1  | Broadmeadow Magic
2017  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Lambton Jaffas  | 2-0 aet  | Edgeworth Eagles
2018  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 3-0  | Edgeworth Eagles
2019  | Maitland  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 2-0  | Maitland
2020  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 1-0  | Maitland
2021  | Lambton Jaffas  | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
2022  | Maitland  | Lambton Jaffas  | 1-0  | Maitland
2023  | Lambton Jaffas  | Lambton Jaffas  | 2-1  | Broadmeadow Magic
2024 | Broadmeadow Magic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 2-2 4-3p  | Edgeworth Eagles

### Northern First Division (1959 – 1997)

[edit]

Season  | Premiers  | Champions  | Score  | Runners Up

|
|
|
|

1959  | Wallsend  | Wallsend  | 4-0  | West Wallsend
1960  | Cessnock  | Cessnock  | 2-0  | Wallsend
1961  | Awaba  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 2-0  | Lake Macquarie City
1962  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Lake Macquarie City  | 5-0  | Awaba
1963  | Wallsend  | Awaba  | 4-1 aet  | Wallsend
1964  | Lake Macquarie City  | Awaba  | 4-2  | Wallsend
1965  | Wallsend  | Wallsend  | 3-1  | Adamstown Rosebud
1966  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Austral United  | 2-1 aet  | Adamstown Rosebud
1967  | Austral United  | Lake Macquarie City  | 6-2 aet  | Austral United
1968  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 4-2  | Lake Macquarie City
1969  | Hamilton Azzuri  | Austral United  | 3-2  | Weston Bears
1970  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Belmont Swansea United  | 4-3  | Adamstown Rosebud
1971  | Weston Bears  | Weston Bears  | 5-0  | Wallsend
1972  | Weston Bears  | Weston Bears  | 3-0  | Toronto Awaba
1973  | Weston Bears  | Weston Bears  | 4-1  | Adamstown Rosebud
1974  | New Lambton South  | Weston Bears  | 3-2  | Adamstown Rosebud
1975  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 2-1 aet  | Weston Bears
1976  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 3-0  | Wallsend
1977  | Weston Bears  | Weston Bears  | 1-0  | Edgeworth Eagles
1978  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 2-0  | Weston Bears
1979  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Highfields Azzuri  | 3-2  | Weston Bears
1980  | Maitland  | Maitland  | 5-1  | Highfields Azzuri
1981  | Highfields Azzuri  | Highfields Azzuri  | 2-1  | Maitland
1982  | Lake Macquarie City  | Weston Bears  | 2-0  | West Wallsend
1983  | Central Coast  | Weston Bears  | 3-0  | Central Coast
1984  | Cardiff  | Weston Bears  | 0-0 7-5p  | West Wallsend
1985  | Belmont-Swansea United  | West Wallsend  | 2-1  | Belmont-Swansea United
1986  | West Wallsend  | Belmont-Swansea United  | 0-0 4-2p  | West Wallsend
1987  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Austral United  | 3-2  | Adamstown Rosebud
1988  | Adamstown Rosebud  | West Wallsend  | 2-1  | Adamstown Rosebud
1989  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Weston Bears  | 1-0  | Adamstown Rosebud
1990  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Weston Bears  | 1-1 4-3p  | Adamstown Rosebud
1991  | Adamstown Rosebud  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 1-1 5-4p  | Weston Bears
1992  | Highfields Azzuri  | West Wallsend  | 2-1  | Wickham Park Croatia
1993  | Highfields Azzuri  | Highfields Azzuri  | 3-0  | Lake Macquarie City
1994  | Highfields Azzuri  | Highfields Azzuri  | 2-1  | Wickham Park Croatia
1995  | Highfields Azzuri  | Weston Bears  | 5-0  | Wallsend
1996  | Weston Bears  | Highfields Azzuri  | 3-2  | Weston Bears
1997  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Highfields Azzuri  | 3-1  | Broadmeadow Magic

### Northern NSW State League (1998 – 2013)

[edit]

Season  | Premiers  | Champions  | Score  | Runners Up

|
|
|
|

1998  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Hamilton Olympic  | 2-1  | Broadmeadow Magic
1999  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Hamilton Olympic  | 4-0  | Adamstown Rosebud
2000  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Hamilton Olympic  | 3-0  | Edgeworth Eagles
2001  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Hamilton Olympic  | 2-0  | Highfields Azzuri
2002  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Highfields Azzuri  | 1-0 aet  | Edgeworth Eagles
2003  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 2-1  | Broadmeadow Magic
2004  | Weston Bears  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 3-1  | Weston Bears
2005  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 2-1  | South Cardiff
2006  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Lake Macquarie City  | 4-1  | Edgeworth Eagles
2007  | Lake Macquarie City  | Hamilton Olympic  | 1-0  | Edgeworth Eagles
2008  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 0-0 4-3p  | Highfields Azzuri
2009  | Edgeworth Eagles  | Hamilton Olympic  | 2-1  | Valentine Phoenix
2010  | Weston Bears  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 4-2  | Weston Bears
2011  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 4-4 4-3p  | South Cardiff
2012  | Hamilton Olympic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 4-1  | Hamilton Olympic
2013  | Broadmeadow Magic  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 4-1  | Lambton Jaffas

### Titles (1959 - Present)

[edit]

Premiers  | Champions  | Runners Up

|
|

Edgeworth Eagles  | 13  | Weston Bears  | 11  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 10
Adamstown Rosebud  | 11  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 8  | Weston Bears  | 9
Broadmeadow Magic  | 8  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 7  | Edgeworth Eagles  | 8
Weston Bears  | 7  | Highfields Azzuri  | 7  | Wallsend  | 6
Highfields Azzuri  | 5  | Hamilton Olympic  | 6  | Broadmeadow Magic  | 5
Lake Macquarie City  | 3  | Adamstown Rosebud  | 5  | West Wallsend  | 4
Maitland  | 3  | Lambton Jaffas  | 4  | Highfields Azzuri  | 3
Wallsend  | 3  | Austral United  | 3  | Lake Macquarie City  | 3
Lambton Jaffas  | 2  | Lake Macquarie City  | 3  | Hamilton Olympic  | 2
Austral United  | 1  | West Wallsend  | 3  | South Cardiff  | 2
Awaba  | 1  | Awaba  | 2  | Wickham Park Croatia  | 2
Belmont-Swansea United  | 1  | Wallsend  | 2  | Austral United  | 1
Cardiff  | 1  | Belmont Swansea United  | 1  | Awaba  | 1
Cessnock  | 1  | Cessnock  | 1  | Belmont-Swansea United  | 1
Hamilton Azzuri  | 1  | Maitland  | 1  | Lambton Jaffas  | 1
Hamilton Olympic  | 1  |  | Maitland  | 1
New Lambton South  | 1  | Toronto Awaba  | 1
Newcastle Jets Youth  | 1  | Valentine Phoenix  | 1
West Wallsend  | 1  |

### NPL Finals Representation

[edit]

2014  | Weston Workers – Quarter Finalist

|

2015  | Edgeworth Eagles – Quarter Finalist
2016  | Edgeworth Eagles – Runners up
2017  | Edgeworth Eagles – Semi Finalist
2018  | Edgeworth Eagles – Quarter Finalist
2019  | Maitland FC – Semi Finalist
2020  | Cancelled Covid-19 Pandemic
2021  | Cancelled
2022  | Not Held
2023  | Not Held
2024  | Not Held

## References

[edit]

1. ^ NNSWF announce new broadcast and production providers
2. ^ "Azzurri, Lake Macquarie dumped in soccer shake-up". Newcastle Herald. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
3. ^ "Northern NSW NPL: Lake Macquarie Roosters join new 11-team league". Newcastle Herald. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
4. ^ "NPL NNSW competition to expand with Cooks Hill United to join league in 2022 | Northern NSW Football". northernnswfootball.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
5. ^ "New Lambton FC promoted to NPL Men's NNSW competition for 2023 | Northern NSW Football". northernnswfootball.com.au. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Northern NSW Football website
* Oz Football Northern NSW Statistics
* NNSW Football NPL old Statistics

* v
* t
* e

2025 National Premier Leagues Northern NSW

* Adamstown Rosebud
* Belmont Swansea United
* Broadmeadow Magic
* Charlestown Azzurri
* Cooks Hill United
* Edgeworth
* Lambton Jaffas
* Maitland
* New Lambton
* Newcastle Olympic
* Valentine Phoenix
* Weston Bears

* v
* t
* e

National Premier Leagues

Seasons|

* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Grand Finals|

* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

Member Federations|

* ACT
* NSW
* Northern NSW
* Queensland
* SA
* Tasmania
* Victoria
* WA

Women's NPL competitions|

* NPL Women's
* ACT
* NSW Women's
* Northern NSW
* Queensland
* SA
* Victoria Women
* WA Women

Associated competitions|

* A-League Men
* A-League Women
* Y-League
* Australia Cup
* Australian Championship

Awards|

* John Kosmina Medal

* v
* t
* e

Soccer in Australia

* Football Australia

National teams|

| Men's|

* Senior
* B
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* Beach
* Paralympic

|

Women's|

* Senior
* B
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal

League competitions|

| Men's|

* A-League Men
* National Premier Leagues
* Australian Championship

|

Women's|

* A-League Women
* National Premier Leagues Women's

Cup competitions|

* Australia Cup

Others|

* Youth soccer
* Defunct leagues
* Defunct cups
* Professional Footballers Australia
* Women's soccer in Australia
* History of soccer in Brisbane, Queensland

Lists|

* Appearances (300+)
* Clubs
* Honours won
* Champions
* Men
* Women
* Clubs in international competitions
* Goals (100+)
* Record home attendances
* Stadiums by capacity

* Venues
* Competitions
* Records and statistics

* v
* t
* e

Soccer in New South Wales

| A-League Men|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Macarthur FC
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

|

A-League Women|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League Youth|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

F-League|

* Dural Warriors
* East Coast Heat
* Sydney Scorpions

Football NSW

NPL|

* APIA Leichhardt
* Blacktown City
* Central Coast Mariners Academy
* Marconi Stallions
* Manly United
* Mt Druitt Town Rangers
* NWS Spirit
* Rockdale Ilinden
* St George City
* St George FC
* Sutherland Sharks
* Sydney FC Youth
* Sydney Olympic
* Sydney United 58
* Western Sydney Wanderers Youth
* Wollongong Wolves

FNSW League|

| League One|

* Bankstown City
* Blacktown Spartans
* Bonnyrigg White Eagles
* Bulls FC Academy
* Canterbury Bankstown
* Dulwich Hill
* Hakoah Sydney City East
* Hills United
* Inter Lions
* Macarthur Rams
* Mounties Wanderers
* Newcastle Jets Youth
* Northern Tigers
* Rydalmere Lions
* Southern Districts Raiders
* UNSW FC

|

League Two|

* Bankstown United
* Camden Tigers
* Central Coast United
* Dunbar Rovers
* Fraser Park
* Gladesville Ryde Magic
* Granville Rage
* Hawkesbury City
* Hurstville ZFC
* Inner West Hawks
* Nepean FC
* Parramatta FC
* Prospect United
* South Coast Flame
* Sydney Uni

Regional Leagues
& Associations|

* Bankstown District Amateur Football Association
* Blacktown & District Soccer Football Association
* Canterbury District Soccer Football Association
* Central Coast Football
* Eastern Suburbs Football Association
* Granville & District Soccer Football Association
* Football South Coast
* Northern Suburbs Football Association
* Macarthur District Soccer Football Association
* Manly Warringah Football Association
* Nepean Football Association
* North West Sydney Football
* Southern Districts Soccer Football Association
* St. George Football Association
* Sutherland Shire Football Association
* Southern Branch
* Sydney Amateur Football League
* Football Riverina
* Western NSW Football

Other Competitions|

* NSW League Three (defunct)

NPL Women's|

* Bankstown City
* Illawarra Stingrays

Other clubs|

* Balmain Tigers
* FC Gazy Auburn
* Hurstville City Minotaurs
* Western Condors
* FC Bossy Liverpool
* Fairfield Bulls
* Penrith Nepean United
* Yagoona Lions FC
* Safeway United
* Western NSW Mariners
* Belmore Hercules
* Polonia-Kosciuszko
* AC United
* Inter Monaro
* Wagga City Wanderers FC

FNSW League seasons|

* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1999
* 2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Waratah Cup|

* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 2007
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* ~~2021~~
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Northern NSW Football

NPL|

* Adamstown Rosebud
* Belmont Swansea United
* Broadmeadow Magic
* Charlestown Azzurri
* Cooks Hill United
* Edgeworth FC
* Lambton Jaffas
* Maitland FC
* New Lambton FC
* Newcastle Olympic
* Valentine FC
* Weston Bears

State League 1|

* Dudley Redhead United Seniors
* Cessnock City Hornets
* Kahibah FC
* Lake Macquarie City
* Singleton Strikers
* South Cardiff
* Thornton Redbacks
* Toronto Awaba Stags
* Wallsend FC
* West Wallsend

Regional Leagues|

* Zone League One
* Zone League Two
* Zone League Three
* Regional Super League

Associations|

* Football Far North Coast
* Football Mid North Coast
* Hunter Valley Football
* Macquarie Football
* Newcastle Football
* North Coast Football
* Northern Inland Football

Regional Cups|

NNSWF State Cup

Northern NSW
League seasons|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

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