Australia Championship. Southern Premier League Tasmania. Women
The Southern Premier League Tasmania Women is Tasmania's premier regional women's football competition, part of Australia's football pyramid. It features top women's teams from southern Tasmania, fostering talent development and delivering competitive matches. This league mirrors the surge in women's football across Australia, underpinning the success of the national Matildas team.
History and foundation
Established in the 1990s under Football Tasmania, the league evolved into its current Southern Premier League format in the 2010s with a focus on professionalism. The 2019 season saw Clarence Zebras Women dominate with emphatic wins. COVID-19 halted play in 2020, but a resilient return in 2021 introduced enhanced safety protocols. Notably, players like Emily Gilmour have progressed to NPL Women Victoria, and in 2022, Tilla Durbridge from southern clubs debuted in the A-League Women.
Tournament format
The competition follows a double round-robin format with 8–10 teams playing home-and-away fixtures (14–18 matches total). The champion claims the title and advances to the Tasmania Championship. Top teams contest National Premier Leagues Tasmania Women playoffs. Games occur on semi-professional venues like KGV Park (capacity 2000), adhering to FIFA rules over 90 minutes. The season runs March to September, aligning with Australia's national schedule.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.5–4 goals, driven by attacking play and youthful defenses. Leading scorers include Kate McCarthy (Clarence Zebras, 28 goals in 2022) and Sarah Johnson (South Hobart, 22 in 2023). Standout players: forward Avery Watson (Taroona Women) for her dribbling flair, and midfielder Mia Ferguson (Glenorchy Knights) for assists. Alumni like Clara Roberts now shine at Perth Glory. Fans praise the league's pace and passion, with derbies drawing 500–800 spectators.