Northern NSW Football boss David Eland said the return of the Women's State Cup next week was important to the development of female football in the region.
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The state cup will be held for the fourth time from July 2 to 4 at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Warners Bay (2017), Adamstown (2018) and Wallsend (2019) have all etched their names on the state cup silverware. The tournament, which is open to any club in Northern NSW, was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus global pandemic.
"The origins of the FFA Cup were that most member federations had their own state cup for men and that was a key driver for an initiation of the FFA Cup," Eland said.
"We would certainly hope that in time there would be a similar national competition for open women, so the state cup is certainly a step in the right direction and we're thrilled that we're able to provide an opportunity for open women's teams from all over our jurisdiction to compete against each other.
"It showcases the very best of women's football from throughout the state and over time we hope to really build the event."
Wallsend were replaced by Newcastle Olympic in Newcastle Herald Women's Premier League last year. Olympic are expected to be one of the strongest teams this state cup and the club features a number of players who were in the Red Devils' victorious state cup side two years ago, including Laura Hall, Georgia Little, Danielle Nicol. Injured Olympic captain Sophie O'Brien was also part of the successful Wallsend team, as was W-League midfielder Libby Copus-Brown, who now plays for Manly in NSW National Premier League Women's.
All eight Herald Women's Premier League clubs are among fifteen entered in the state cup. Broadmeadow, Mid Coast, Cooks Hill and University of Newcastle have been drawn in Group A. Maitland, New Lambton, North Coast and Kotara South are in Group B.
Group C comprises Warners Bay, Adamstown, Kempsey and Nelson Bay. In Group D are Herald WPL leaders Newcastle Olympic, Charlestown and Interdistrict All Age Women's A Grade pace-setters Mayfield.
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