W-League (Australia) Information & W-League (Australia) Links at HealthHaven.com

W-League
Countries	Australia
Confederation	AFC
Founded	2008
Number of teams	8
Current champions	Brisbane Roar (W-League 2008-09)
Most championships	Brisbane Roar (1)
TV partners	ABC1
Website	http://www.w-league.com.au
	W-League 2009

The W-League is the top level women's football (soccer) league in Australia. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League, with the eighth based in Canberra.^[1] As it is sponsored by the Westfield Group, it is presently known as the Westfield W-League

The W-League's inaugural season commenced on 25 October 2008, with Perth Glory hosting Sydney FC at Members Equity Stadium.^[2] After ten rounds, Queensland Roar were the top-placed team, becoming the first W-League premiers, and advancing to the semi-finals along with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams. They faced Canberra United in the W-League Grand Final 2009, defeating them 2–0 to take the champions trophy.

The second season of the W-League will kick-off on Saturday 3 October 2009, with 2008–09 grand finalists Brisbane Roar facing runners-up Canberra United in a grand final rematch at Ballymore Stadium.

One game per week (the 3:00 pm Saturday game) is broadcast live nationwide on ABC1.^[3]

[edit] Clubs

The league is composed of eight teams. Seven are affiliated with the inaugural Australian A-League clubs, and share their names and colours to promote their brands. The eighth club is the Canberra-based Canberra United.^[4]

Adelaide United Location: Adelaide, South Australia Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Hindmarsh Stadium (16,500) Coach: Michael Barnett Captain: Dianne Alagich	Brisbane Roar Location: Brisbane, Queensland Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Ballymore Stadium (24,000) Coach: Jeff Hopkins Captain: Kate McShea	Canberra United Location: Canberra, A.C.T. Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Belconnen Soccer Centre (2,000) Coach: Ray Junna Captain: Ellie Brush	Central Coast Mariners Location: Gosford, New South Wales Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Bluetongue Stadium (20,119) Coach: Stephen Roche Captain: Caitlin Cooper
Melbourne Victory Location: Melbourne, Victoria Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: various Coach: Matt Shepherd Captain: Tal Karp	Newcastle Jets Location: Newcastle, New South Wales Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Wanderers Oval (2,000) & EnergyAustralia Stadium (26,164) Coach: Gary Phillips Captain: Cheryl Salisbury	Perth Glory Location: Perth, Western Australia Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Clipsal Stadium (2,000) Coach: Nicola Williams Captain: Tanya Oxtoby	Sydney FC Location: Sydney, New South Wales Period: 2008-09 — present Ground: Sydney Football Stadium (45,500) Coach: Alen Stajcic Captain:

[edit] Stadiums

Primary venues used in the W-League:

Stadium	Capacity	Club
Etihad Stadium	56,347	Melbourne Victory
Bob Jane Stadium	15,000	Melbourne Victory
Epping Stadium	10,000	Melbourne Victory
Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre	49,000	Brisbane Roar
Perry Park	8,000	Brisbane Roar
Ballymore Stadium	24,000	Brisbane Roar
Wanderers Oval	2,000	Newcastle Jets
Energy Australia Stadium	26,164	Newcastle Jets
Bluetounge Stadium	20,119	Central Coast Mariners
Sydney Football Stadium	45,500	Sydney FC
Members Equity Stadium	18,156	Perth Glory
Clipsal Stadium	2,000	Perth Glory
Hindmarsh Stadium	16,500	Adelaide United
McKellar Park	2,000	Canberra United

Other venues used by W-League clubs include:

Stadium	Capacity	Details
Canberra Stadium	25,011	-	Used by Central Coast Mariners in the 2009 season during round 5.¹
Leichhardt Oval	22,000	-	Used by Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners in the 2009 season during round 8 as a double-header.²

¹Central Coast Mariners are to play this fixture as a home game against Canberra United. ²Sydney FC are to play this fixture as a home game against Perth Glory. It is also a 'curtain raiser' to the second game, to be played by the Mariners. Central Coast Mariners are to play this fixture as a home game against Melbourne Victory.