Will the change in season rule out the acquisition of high calibre internationals like Jessica Fishlock? | (Photo: Emily Mogic Photography)

The W-League is set to run from September to December 2014 due to Australia's hosting of the 2015 Men's Asian Cup.

While understandable, the decision poses a number of issues for the clubs to navigate.

State League competitions

After targeting national team (Matildas, Young Matildas, U17) and National Training Centre players, the clubs usually look to the state league to complete their squads.

In past seasons this has not been an problem.  However, with a September start, it will be an matter to be navigated as many of the state leagues regular season and finals fixtures are scheduled to be completed in late August (NSW) / early September (QLD, ACT), with others (VIC and WA) having fixtures running well into September.

For the state leagues there will be disruptions with some teams losing several players and, with a number of NTC teams playing in state premier leagues, possibly a team.

Even assuming the W-League takes precedence, there are still a number of issues to be worked out including but not limited to:

  • when to start pre-season, and will players be still required to play with their state league teams as it reaches the sharp end of the season; and

  • where to train, particularly in light of the fact that most major suburban grounds will most probably still be in use for the winter season (men's and women's).

International Players

The traditional October to January/February time period has benefited the W-League clubs when it comes to the recruitment of international players (maximum of 3) .

As a number of northern hemisphere national leagues conclude in August / September, increasingly high calibre international players from those leagues look to Australia to continue playing football in their off-season.

The early start could impact this in three ways; a decrease in the quantity of players, a decrease in the quality of internationals or the full availability of internationals (some will only be available for part of the already short season).

To further complicate the situation, some of last year's top international talents could be involved in qualification for the 2015 Women's World Cup with the North American, South American, African and the latter stages of European qualifying scheduled for September – November 2014.

While Australia now has it's own top class talent plying their trade overseas, the calibre of internationals joining the league has played its part in increasing the quality.

With the number rightly capped at three, Australia's best young players have been able to learn plenty about being professional footballers from the likes of Nadine Angerer, Jessica Fishlock, Lori Lindsey and many others.  It would be a shame if, even if only for the one season, these types of players aren't available.

Overseas Australian players

A similar but slightly different issues arises with overseas Australian players.

While there is still the question of the timing of the conclusion of their seasons in Japan, the USA, Canada, England and Norway, there is also the player welfare question.

For a number of players including Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Stephanie Catley, Tameka Butt, Katrina Gorry, Lydia Williams and Lisa De Vanna (to name a few), the past 18 months have seen them play a significant amount of football either with the Matildas, the W-League or their international clubs.

With a World Cup looming, the question is; when will they rest?

It's a question to be considered in light of the continual spate of ACL injuries as well as soft tissue injuries resulting from overload.

There is currently no Matildas coach, which needs to be resolved sooner rather than later, raising the concerns about who is overseeing the program and ultimately the load of several crucial members of the Matildas.

Some food for thought in the lead up to the new season.