The 2023 season kicks off Sunday February 19 as teams across the North Coast compete in the second round of the Australia Cup.
Senior teams have been training since early January with pre-season friendlies taking place over the last few weeks.
A record nine teams from the North Coast have entered this year’s Australia Cup who will form the backbone of the North Coast Premier League.
Northern Storm travel to Grafton to face the Westlawn Tigers on 19 February, whilst Sawtell travel south to take on Lake Cathie FC.
Urunga FC have entered the competition for the first time in several seasons and travel to Alstonville.
Coffs Coast Tigers and Woolgoolga both head inland to face Demon Knights (Armidale) and Inverell FC respectively.
Bellingen FC and Coffs City United both enjoy home fixtures in front of their home supporters against Oxley Vale Attunga and Bangalow.
Junior footballers have started registering for the 2023 season with football clubs organising teams for the competition which kicks-off in April.
Many players have been keeping fit playing over the summer participating in 6-a-side competitions at Woolgoolga, Coffs United, Urunga, Nambucca and the Coffs Coast Synthetics.
Coffs City United President Brett Hodgekiss believes 2023 is going to be a bumper year with the momentum of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
“There’s a huge buzz around community football with the Women’s World Cup being hosted in Australia and New Zealand later in the year,” he said.
“Women’s football is on the rise, there’s unlimited growth space.
“Football Australia have set out a new goal where they want registrations split evenly between males and females by 2027.
“That’s why they have put a legacy team in place to try and continue the momentum once the competition is over this year.”
Second round Australia Cup fixtures featuring North Coast teams:
Westlawn Tigers Football Club v Northern Storm Football Club
Bellingen Football Club v Oxley Vale Attunga
Alstonville v Urunga Football Club
Inverell v Woolgoolga United FC
Lake Cathie v Sawtell FC
Port United v Maclean FC
Coffs City United Football Club v Bangalow
Demon Knights v Coffs Coast Tigers FC