The A-League and W-League will be renamed A-League Men and A-League Women ahead of the upcoming season as part of a rebrand.
Australia’s top-tier men’s and women’s soccer leagues, the A-League and W-League, have been collectively rebranded as the A-Leagues ahead of the upcoming seasons.
The A-League has been renamed A-League Men while the W-League is now known as A-League Women, with the Y-League rebadged as A-League Youth.
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL), who officially took full control of the leagues in December 2020, said they had consulted players, coaches and fans in deciding to align the leagues under a “unified banner”.
“The APL is all about football – it’s not men’s football or women’s football, it’s just football,” APL managing director Danny Townsend said.
“Bringing the female game up onto a level playing field with the men was something we felt really strongly about.
“We thought it’s about time football took a leadership role in this space.
“We’ve got an amazing couple of years ahead of us with the Women’s World Cup coming to Australia, so this is just another step in our commitment to the women’s game.”
Sydney FC and former Young Matildas defender Ally Green hailed the decision as the “biggest” change to hit the women’s competition since its inception in 2008.
“It’s a really important message to get across to Australians and worldwide as well,” Green said.
“It’s a world-leading announcement and we’re part of something really special here in Australia and in football.
“It’s just Australian football now and it’s a really important message to send to the other sports in Australia.
“I think they’re only going to follow and want to be on the same pedestal as us.
“It’s exciting that we’re one of the first in Australia and it will only progress and develop each league moving forward in the future.”
Socceroos and Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren also welcomed the change.
“For all of us to say we’re under one umbrella is a proud moment,” Maclaren said.
“Not only for me as a footballer but for everyone involved in football in Australia.”
The men’s competition kicks off on November 19 with the women’s league starting on December 3.
Nuxman
Roar Rookie
Do women's football teams really want to play in a league namedWC11
Nuxman
Roar Rookie
Rebranding is fine,equality is great ,but the comment that it is just football not men's or women's football is nonsense.if this is the case then we should throw them all in the same unisex team.think of the cost savings!i watch and enjoy both men's and women's football and enjoy both,but apart from the rules they are very different games.this sort of talk feeds the clowns who want the world to be gender neutral and should be seen for what it is!!!
Nuxman
Roar Rookie
Do women really want to play in a league called WC1!!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Yes, it will be a bit clunky for a while.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Olympic takes the lead at 70 minute mark!
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Nil all at half time.
tom
Guest
This is a wind up, right?
Tigertown
Guest
Football is streets ahead of Rugby League. In 2007, the NRL introduced the “charity” Women in League, which was a nice gesture, but ironically, the females weren’t featured yet in a major competition. In 2008, one year later, the W-League was formed, long before AFLW or BBLW. Football in Australia was proudly miles ahead of many other national team sports. Up the A-League!
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It's on right now.
Marcel
Guest
Dave Chappelle telling it like it is.... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkCR5AzA5s
Waz
Roar Rookie
Football Brisbane is gone. FQ now run it as “Metro North” and “Metro South”. It was messy and ugly but it’s gone. Clubs have moved on - referees still turn up, results get published (and quicker) so they’re just getting on with it.
Nick Symonds
Guest
The combined club championship is a great idea, but shouldn't it be called the combined club premiership if it's based on regular season results? The new naming convention for the leagues might take a bit of adjusting to, but the former W-League teams already shared the same names as the men's teams anyway. So sharing the same name of the league should be alright. After a while people will hopefully get used to it.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Cavullucci was a Minister in the Newman State Goverment If that doesn't set off red flags nothing will
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
The Only Issue I have with the Club Championship ATM is that there are no plans for Canberra to get a mens team and no plans for a Marcathur Womens team and even it that happens that leaves both the Mens and Womens leagues at 13 teams a piece
Winter
Guest
FFA Cup on tonight at 8pm
Winter
Guest
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Winter
Guest
Even if it leads to something like a free kids membership to their local A League club for anyone registered with the FA
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i made the joke the post above of cavulluccis comfy well paid seat, because hes invovled in a legal case into how he actually became the president - the inside word is money was exchanged and that could also implicate richardson alot of the issues this year were to do with zonal restructuring until football brisbane and football qld come together, the federation as a whole is stil in major trouble. i dont see it happening though, football qld never should've changed the zoning; theyre only seeing $$$, not how its effecting grassroots poor old amy chapman was used almost like a pawn in this political power struggle, shes done great things for womens football in QLD and deserved better than being a casuality of the civl war - the decision was eventualy overturned though and she kept her place on the board FQLDS big issue is to stop the back stabbing going on at boardroom level - theres a lot of dealings going on behind the scenes, for personal gain and thats the overall issue. Everyone needs to be alligned, until that happens FQLD as a federation has no hope.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I am not sure there is sufficient money in the domestic game for such a dramatic closing of the pay gap by 2023, however the international exposure afforded by the Women's World Cup will incentivise sponsors and investors. Those sponsors & investors playing the long-game will be looking to close the pay gap as much as possible. The ability to generate brand loyalty in children and young adults is a genuine incentive, particularly given demographic forecasts in relation to discretional household spending.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Up yours David Gallop :laughing: