Western Premier League


The Western Premier League is a regional Australian association football league, comprising teams from the Central West region of New South Wales. The competition is run under the Western NSW Football body, an associate of Football NSW - a member federation of Football Australia. It fits below the national A-League and NSW wide divisions including National Premier Leagues NSW, being level 5 league in the Australian league system.

History

The Western Premier League was founded in 1994 as the Central West Soccer League, with East Dubbo United taking out the inaugural championship, defeating Bathurst 75 on penalties 4–3 in the grand final, after the score was locked at 2-all at the end of extra-time.
The competition ran from 1994 until the end of 2012 before collapsing after Westside Panthers and Dubbo Bulls all pulled out in quick succession, leaving just three teams in the competition. The competition was later revived ahead of the 2020 season, with nine teams initially entering the first WPL season in eight years, later reduced to seven teams by July when the season commenced after a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Format

As of the 2023 season, the competition consists of nine teams from around the Central West region of New South Wales. Each team will play each other twice, to form a 18-round, round robin format. The current finals format is yet to be determined, but it will concluded with a grand final to determine the champion, usually held at the ground of the highest-ranked team.

Current clubs and location

The following clubs will participate in the 2023 Western Premier League:
ClubLocationGroundFoundedChampionsChampions years
Bathurst 75BathurstProctor Park197581996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2023, 2024
Dubbo BullsDubboHans Claven Oval
Victoria Park
Apex Oval		200542010, 2011, 2012, 2020
Macquarie United DubboHans Claven Oval
Victoria Park
Apex Oval		201312025
Orange WaratahsOrangeWaratah Sports Ground196751995, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2022
PanoramaBathurstProctor Park20120
Parkes CobrasParkesWoodward Oval
Harrison Park		20200

Former clubs

ClubLocationFoundedChampionsChampions yearsCurrent status
Barnstoneworth UnitedOrange19980Orange & District Football Association
Bathurst City Red TopsBathurst19620Bathurst District Football
Bathurst City ColtsBathurst0Disbanded
Canobolas RangersOrange11999Orange & District Football Association
Cowra WildcatsCowra0Disbanded
East Dubbo UnitedDubbo198411994Dubbo & District Football Association
Lithgow City RangersLithgow19700Bathurst District Football
Lithgow Workmen'sLithgow19820Bathurst District Football
Macquarie United Bathurst19840Bathurst District Football
Mudgee WolvesMudgee19910Bathurst District Football
Orana SpursDubbo199212001Dubbo & District Football Association
Orange CYMSOrange19750Orange & District Football Association
Oxford UnitedBathurst0Disbanded
SASS StrikersDubbo19830Dubbo & District Football Association
Westside PanthersDubbo197932004, 2008, 2009Dubbo & District Football Association
Young RebelsYoung0Disbanded

Grand final results

*Match went to extra time
Match decided via a penalty shoot-out after extra time
Winning team won the Double

Performance by club

There are seven clubs who have won the Western Premier League title.
Teams in bold compete in the Western Premier League as of the 2022 season.
ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning yearsRunners-up years
Bathurst 75851996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2023, 20241994, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2025
Orange Waratahs541995, 2000, 2006, 2007, 20221998, 2009, 2010 2012
Dubbo Bulls422010, 2011, 2012, 20202005, 2024
Westside Panthers322004, 2008, 20092002, 2011
Canobolas Rangers1219991995, 2003
East Dubbo United1119942001
Macquarie United 1120252020
Orana Spurs102001
Orange CYMS031997, 1999, 2000
Macquarie United 011996
Panorama012022
Barnstoneworth United012023