Football Federation Victoria has today released the inaugural National Premier Leagues (NPL and NPL 1) 2014 fixtures.
Football Federation Victoria (FFV) has today released the inaugural National Premier Leagues (NPL and NPL 1) 2014 fixtures.
Rivals Heidelberg United and South Melbourne will kick off the NPL season in a stand-alone fixture at Olympic Village on Thursday March 13, a night before Melbourne Knights hosts reigning Victorian Premier League (VPL) champion Northcote City in an opening round which stretches over four days.
Round 1 of NPL 1 will commence a day later on Saturday March 15, and conclude with two Monday night fixtures – Bulleen Lions v Moreland Zebras and Kingston City v Whittlesea Ranges.
Goulbourn Valley Suns begins its NPL campaign at home against Oakleigh Cannons on March 15 before hosting fellow regional club Ballarat Red Devils in Round 2.
The battle of the NPL-s two regional clubs will be one of the highlights of Round 2, along with the VPL Grand Final replay between Northcote City and Bentleigh Greens.
In another highlight of the NPL 2014, two rounds (Rounds 5 and 20) will be played on a Wednesday night for the first time in the history of Victoria-s premier football division.
NPL and NPL 1 will be played over 26 rounds and will conclude on September 14 and September 28 respectively.
The national NPL 2014 Finals Series will be staged between the weeks of:
September 20/21 – elimination finals
September 27/28 – semi-finals
October 4/5 – grand final
The NPL Premiers (first at the conclusion of the home and away season) of each Member Federation will qualify for the NPL Finals Series, with the Victorian NPL Premiers to meet the Tasmanian NPL Premiers in an away elimination final.
The winner of the NPL Finals Series will be crowned NPL Champions of Australia.
Click here to see the NPL 2014 fixtures on the official NPL Victoria website.
Click here to see the 2014 men’s State Leagues fixtures, which were also announced today.
Please note, NPL juniors fixtures will be released by 9am, Thursday February 27.