Canberra United to launch W-League campaign in December

Football Federation Australia unveiled the elite competition calendar on Thursday, with the W-League and A-League to both start on Sunday, December 27.

The W-League will remain a 14-round competition, despite ongoing calls for a full home-and-away season.

Each team will play 12 matches (six home and six away) as part of a 57-match regular season, with the fixture to be released in early November.

The A-League, meanwhile, will consist of 161 matches played over 23 weeks, culminating in a June grand final.

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Canberra's Grace Maher was excited to have certainty and a starting date to work towards, but stressed the importance of increasing the season length in the lead up to the 2023 World Cup.

"The importance of having that full home-and-away season is not just for a longer season but for the fairness of the league. As much as there was a push, we still hope for the following season," Maher said.

"Given this unprecedented time, I think the players and a lot of people involved in the sporting world are just grateful it's back. That's something we're going to be appreciative of.

"Once we get through this season, we hope to grow leading up to the home World Cup - which I think is the best platform to push that."

The FFA is yet to confirm whether a competition hub will be formed or if certain teams need to relocate, with strict travel restrictions and border closures in place across the country.

The women's Big Bash League and National Basket League are both using hubs, with teams to be based in Sydney and northern Queensland respectively.

It's understood Capital Football has allocated McKellar Park as United's home venue for the upcoming season, despite it being closed since the COVID-19-forced shutdown.

Vicki Linton's squad will assemble for the first time next month, with the W-League pre-season to start about six weeks before kick-off.

Unlike most seasons, the delayed start and absence of international players means the majority of squad members will be available to train from day one.

"Previous to that, I've often come in quite late if I'm with the junior national team or an NPL club. So, it'll be good," Maher said.

"The whole league is going to look a little bit different this year, with the personnel and there's no internationals arriving late. A lot of the local girls haven't played with some of the squad as well.

"That will be really good to get a full pre-season under our belts so we're ready for round one."

Now there's a starting date and competition length, Capital Football officials are piecing together membership packages for the new season in the hope of retaining support.

"We've all been waiting with a bated breath for an announcement. Canberra has great support, so we'll have to work through the logistics for memberships - what it will mean for our members and people being out at the grounds," Capital Football chair Fran Sankey said.

"Hopefully things will be more relaxed then, so we can get a good supporter base out there and cheering on the team.

"I think everybody is looking forward to our local juniors who have previously been part of the United squad, being back and representing the club again. That's where McKellar Park is a good field, you're so close to the action."