The Women's Premier League will be played at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, brimming with new signings and a slew of youngsters set to make their top flight debut
The 24th season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to kick off on Saturday, 1 March 2025, with nine teams competing across 18 match weeks at a centralised venue, Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
Last season saw Lion City Sailors Women's Team take the title for the third year running after a tight battle against title rivals Albirex Niigata (S). While the two are set to start their campaigns in a blockbuster clash against each other on the 8th of March, it is Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar kicking off the 2025 season this Saturday. They will then be followed by Still Aerion going up against Tampines Rovers on Sunday.
With players looking to hit the ground running for an all new season, Hougang United's Reneelyn Riddle has high hopes for 2025. Last year, Hougang finished the season in fifth place, amassing 27 points across 8 wins out of 16 games.
"We have a lot of new players and we’ve been working hard preseason to come together and play together as a team. There’s so many talented teams and players this season so I’m looking forward to go up against them with the team! I think it will really push us to raise our game and play our very best each time," shared the student athlete, who studies at Singapore Institute of Technology.
The growth of women's football has seen countless youngsters from different academies and teams around Singapore making their top-flight debuts in the WPL. With that, comes higher competition and elite players spread across the WPL.
For Reneelyn, who has witnessed the growth for herself, hopes that she can become a player who adapts to the ever-growing game.
"Every team has their unique playing style and I think it’s important to adapt to that. I definitely want to be more consistent in my performance too because consistency is key! I'm aiming to score and assist more goals too and have a bigger impact on my team this season," she said.
Hougang certainly hasn't been the only team strengthening their squad. Amongst them is Tiong Bahru, who've opened their doors to a familiar face. Former Singapore international Lim Li Xian, who has 29 caps and two goals to her name, returns to help Tiong Bahru improve on the club’s seventh placed finish last season.
After spending two-and-a-half years in Madrid working as a derivatives trader and playing for amateur club C.D. San Roque E.F.F., the 29-year-old is champing at the bit to jump back into the WPL, where she previously played for the now-defunct Warriors FC from 2015 to 2019.
"I have really missed playing alongside teammates I’ve known since I was young, and having the support of family and friends. Coming back, I knew I wanted to play with my old Warriors teammates, and Tiong Bahru felt like the perfect fit (because several of them play here now). I’ve never worked with Coach Ngiap Tai, but I’ve heard great things about him, and training has been going well so far,” she said.
"I hope to contribute to improving Tiong Bahru's standings from last year. We are players coming from different backgrounds and different teams, but I believe we can gel as we train and play together.”
This season marks an interesting season for the league, with the Women’s National Team lining up in three international competitions across the year - the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup Qualifiers, the ASEAN Women’s Championships, and December’s SEA Games in Thailand.
“Because of the packed calendar, the WPL will play an even bigger role for the Lionesses than it did in previous years. The league will be important in keeping our local-based players sharp and competitive while also providing opportunities for national coaches to uncover new talent who can represent Singapore on the international stage,” said Football Association of Singapore (FAS) General Secretary Chew Chun-Liang.
“Women’s Head Coach Karim Bencherifa has already set aside two FIFA windows in February and April for the WPL clubs to prepare their squads for the league, and I look forward to a year of closer collaboration between the FAS and clubs.”
He added: “It’s going to be an exciting season with all clubs having strengthened, and I’m looking forward to the competition.”
This season, however, will see the end of Deloitte's role as the title sponsor of the WPL. Back in 2022, Deloitte made history for the women's game in Singapore, becoming the first ever title sponsor since the league's beginnings in 2000.
“Deloitte’s sponsorship has helped the league’s development, and we are grateful for their efforts to raise the profile of women’s football in Singapore,” said Mr Chew who shared that FAS is actively engaging with potential sponsors to bring fresh support and investment to the league.
“We are excited about the future and look forward to building on the momentum created by Deloitte’s sponsorship. New partnerships will help us continue to provide opportunities for women in football, and the future of the WPL is bright as we move forward,” he added.
"It has been a pleasure to journey with WPL,” said James Walton, Deloitte’s Sports Business Group Leader for Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia.
“The goal of our sponsorship was to support the development of women’s football in Singapore and we are pleased to see improvements in the women’s game, including a centralised competition venue that lends itself to elite competition, and the increase in young players coming through the ranks of clubs through to the Singapore national team.
“Deloitte regularly reviews our sponsorships so that we can give support to a broad base of groups in our society. Even as we sunset our time with WPL, we remain supporters and fans of women’s football, and committed to partnerships that help advance sports in Singapore,” he added.
As the league embarks on a new chapter, Reneelyn is hopeful that the immense potential within the WPL will be realised, fueled by increased exposure.
"I'd love to see more media coverage and engagement for WPL. This would help raise the profile of women's football and inspire the next generation of players. The WPL has so much talent and potential, and I believe it deserves more recognition," she shared.
"I’m hoping to see more initiatives that promote women's football and encourage young girls to take up the sport."
Comments