The new season of the National Premier League will bring with it the usual scramble for points, and league positioning, as the teams taking part look to push on for silverware and potential glory. Whilst a raft of established names will don the colours of their clubs again in 2024, Capital Football has taken a quick look at some of the younger players in the competition, those talented tyros for whom the new campaign might just be a breakthrough year.
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE: MEN
CANBERRA CROATIA
Name: Atiya Waraga
Age: 17
Position: Centre Forward
Attributes: An amazing left-footed goal scorer, equally adept at finishing on either side who burst onto the First-Grade scene in 2023. Has excellent ability in taking on defenders in one-against-one situations to score goals. A potential future professional contract awaits with Argentinian First Division Club Atletico Talleres!
CANBERRA OLYMPIC
Name: Xabi Davies
Age: 19
Position: Midfield
Attributes: A Canberra Olympic junior who has made his way through the club, earning himself some first-grade representation in 2023. A skilful and versatile player with a big engine showcasing his incredible stamina, Davies possess an attacking mindset, a good range of passing, and offers an aerial threat.
GUNGAHLIN UNITED
Name: Romeo Parsa
Age: 17
Position: Striker
Attributes: Was the second highest goalscorer in the National Premier League U23 competition last season. A strong, fast, agile, aggressive, and hard-working frontman. Technically gifted striker that can comfortably play between the lines and in tight spaces as well having the explosive ability to exploit spaces in behind.
MONARO PANTHERS
Name: Giuseppe Tine
Age: 17
Position: 7, 9 or 11
Attributes: Possesses the ability to go around players at speed whether from a position out wide or as a more central option for his team. Has a thunderous shot and is happy to chance his arm from long-range as well as sweep up anything closer to goal. Also shows a hunger to defend from the front, assisting his team wherever he can.
O’CONNOR KNIGHTS
Name: San Van Dooren
Age: 16
Position: Centre-Back
Attributes: An all-rounder who possess exactly the kind of attributes you want in a commanding central defender. Has a tactical brain, is very technical in possession, can distribute well from the back, has great vision, is a physical beast, and couples all of that with the right mentality. Expected to make a big impression for the League Champions.
TIGERS FC
Name: Samson Carr
Age: 16
Position: Full Back or Centre Back
Attributes: A talented player with plenty of potential who has made the switch from Monaro Panthers. Has good positional sense and can play in a variety of positions across the back four. Intelligent in possession, with good distribution and excellent on the ball. Was at Fleetwood Town in their Development Squad for six months last season.
TUGGERANONG UNITED
Name: Josh Pederson
Age: 18
Position: Midfield
Attributes: Impressively fit, strong in the tackle, and with a brilliant passing range, Josh has worked himself from a promising youngster into an indispensable midfield outlet under Mitch Stevens and will play a central role at Tuggeranong in 2024. Good on the ball and often picks the right pass to help keep the momentum of a move flowing nicely.
YOOGALI SC
Name: Robbie Rimmer
Age: 24
Position: Central Midfield
Attributes: Another player who had all the skills to succeed in the National Premier League and will be a big part of newly promoted Yoogali SC and their maiden campaign at this level. Reads the game well in both attack and defence, has great vision, and a superb passing range being able to switch defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE: WOMEN
ANU WFC
Name: Aoibheann Maclochlainn
Age: 21
Position: Centre Midfield
Attributes: Comes with a never-say-die attitude, the player known as ‘Bean’ a regular spot in first grade in 2023. She has great positioning and can go another level when needed when going forward assisting attacks. Has the ability to play various positions in the side showing great football intelligence.
BELCONNEN UNITED
Name: Pearl Tein
Age: 16
Position: Number 10
Attributes: A gifted playmaker that can create chances and goals by delivering a key pass or by dribbling an opponent in one-versus-one situations. Starting to convert more chances as game time increases, and has improved in defensive moments, becoming a good all-rounder in midfield with vast potential.
CANBERRA CROATIA
Name: Tatum Mazis
Age: 17
Position: Forward
Attributes: forward with one year under her belt at Canberra Croatia, and having played most games, emerged as a talented footballer with plenty of potential. Now also playing Futsal with the West Canberra Lightning, alongside her experience Canberra Croatia peers, will just make her better prepared and ready for 2024.
CANBERRA OLYMPIC
Name: Jaya Bowman
Age: 18
Position: Centre-Midfield
Attributes: An ideal central midfielder who has strength, speed, and skill. For a young player coming into an established side has already shown a level of leadership well above her age. Has an impressive range of passing, is strong in the tackle, and can weigh in with the odd spectacular goal or two. Likely to have a standout 2024.
GUNGAHLIN UNITED
Name: Kayla Wright
Age: 18 (17 turning 18 next year)
Position: Wing/Centre Forward
Attributes: A young, but mature, forward-orientated player, Wright has already made an impression on the National Premier League with four goals from two starts and eleven cameo roles in 2023. Has exceptional pace, is exciting to watch in individual duals with her marker, can finish adroitly, and provides superb service with a range of accurate crosses.
TUGGERANONG UNITED
Name: Tarah Manthongsy
Age: 20
Position: Midfield
Attributes: A technically masterful midfielder with great tactical awareness, Not a stranger to the ACT NPLW scene but has returned with a fire in her belly after taking a break from the game last year. Slick skills, an outstanding work ethic, renewed determination and a team-first mentality makes Tarah an invaluable addition to the squad.
WEST CANBERRA WANDERERS
Name: Breea Waters
Age: 18
Position: Attacking Midfield
Attributes: A dedicated, accountable, member of the Wanderers squad who learns quickly, Breea finds space easily with her all-action style and will use her dynamism to top the league in progressive actions and effective counter pressing in the final third. A ball of energy, with a neat passing range, and a turn of pace.