The program is being provided free of charge to all participants, with the club’s Wanderers Foundation to fund the entire program.
The Wanderers Youth Boys’ programs over the years has also been free, ensuring the best players are able to take part, and it’s no surprise the Red & Black have won numerous NSW Youth Club Championships over the years.
The Wanderers have taken youth football to a new level and have answered the cry of numerous football experts - and parents - for an affordable elite youth development system. Most NPLW clubs across the country charge $2-3000 for their youth girl’s programs, with some charging much more with compulsory add-on packages.
Once the cost of travel, uniform and boots are added on, and the opportunity costs that come with such a time intensive commitment, elite football is a expensive exercise, meaning a lot of talented kids drop off.
Western Sydney is regarded as a hotbed for Australian football, with some of the country’s most decorated women players coming through the area. The likes of Matilda legends Heather Garriock, Sarah Walsh and Alana Kennedy all hailed from the region. Some of the future stars of the game also come from Western Sydney including Daniela Galic, Bryleeh Henry, Claudia Cicco and Courtney Nevin to name a few.
The Wanderers have some outstanding talent in their backyard, and will now be able to nurture some of the better players who won’t have to worry about exorbitant playing fees.
It is hoped this can only help enhance the Wanderers’ A-League Women’s team, who have struggled over the years, appearing in only one finals’ series in their 13 year history.
The Wanderers have been planning this program for several years, with their Future Wander Women Program launching in 2021 as a dress rehearsal for their Academy. The Future Wander Women Program was a once-per-week training program, which used the club’s well-established coaching and development methods to help complement the normal NPLW club programs that girls aged 14-17 participate in.
The NPLW Academy will take things to another level and includes the Wanderers competing in the under aged competitions right through to the senior NPLW competitions. There are presently 28 teams that compete in the FNSW Girls Youth League, which is split across two divisions.
The Wanderers join fellow A-League clubs Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners, who already have established youth programs. Bulls FC also represents the Macarthur Bulls, but was a joint venture between the Bulls and Northbridge FC.
Women’s football is moving forward swiftly in Australia, with 221,436 females playing outdoor football in 2024, a 16% rise following the successful 2023 Women’s World Cup, which was hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Football Australia has a plan for a 50/50 gender parity in participation by 2027, with the current rate sitting at 75/25.
The Wanderers NPLW Academy take on Manly United in the opening round of competition on Sunday, March 9, with all games taking place at Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill.
