Melbourne Victory is pleased to confirm that following an extensive process, and more than 10 years of lobbying within the football pyramid to be issued a licence in the NPLW, today Football Victoria have confirmed that it intends to issue Melbourne Victory a NPLW Senior (U23) and U20 licence from season 2026.
While the details of participation are being finalised to ensure the integrity of the competition and the best parameters are in place to promote the development of women’s football in the State, participation in these competitions will enable Melbourne Victory to develop an even stronger program to support both our youth development and our A-League Women’s elite program.
With the opportunity to field teams in both the NPLW Senior (U23) and Women’s U20 competitions being awarded to the Club, season 2026 will also be the first time the A-League Women are represented in the top tier State competition.
A huge step forward in the growth and success of the Club’s Women’s football program, Melbourne Victory Managing Director Caroline Carnegie said she was thrilled to have another opportunity for female footballers in Victoria now available.
“This is an incredible step forward for Melbourne Victory and our Women’s Academy,” Carnegie said.
“Obtaining a NPLW and U20 license is an important part of achieving our goals for our wider Academy and pathway programs as we continue to work hard to lead, unite, connect and inspire through football.
“The performance and pathway benefits of keeping players in elite and consistent environments for longer is both clear and well documented, and we are thrilled that Melbourne Victory will now be able to realise these benefits as a Club, and for our playing group.
“We expect the senior teams to integrate seamlessly within our existing programs, which will create exciting new opportunities for women and girls, and of course the professional game in this State.
“The NPLW competition is a quality competition with an incredibly competitive standard of football. I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful moment when our new squads take to the pitch for the first time.” Carnegie said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Director of Football John Didulica said it was a fantastic opportunity for the future of Women’s football.
“We have worked hard in recent years to develop a genuinely full-time women’s program, so the ability to connect and scale this out to talented and aspirational players and coaches will provide a great benefit to Victorian football,” Didulica said.
“Elite Victorian players will now, for the first time with the Melbourne Victory Academy, have access to a cohesive 52-week program where their development will be prioritised in a fully professional environment.
“This can only help Victoria create more national team representatives, an area where Melbourne is falling behind the rest of the country.”
