with Matt “ Duck Man ” Austin

Blacktown City , the reigning champions of NPL1 , have started the 2023 NSW Men ’ s Premier League competition with a slow start in the revamped competition which now sees 16 clubs compete for the elite level in NSW football .

The competition now mirrors what we see in the English Premier League and other marquee European competitions such as La Liga in Spain , Serie A in Italy , the Bundesliga in Germany , and Ligue 1 in France , with every team playing each other twice , and the competition winner being decided in a first past the post format .

The football purists love the format . There is a lot of merit to the increased number of games and the level of competition is hard to argue with at this stage . After 11 rounds , Blacktown City find themselves mid-table in 8 ^th position with 5 wins , 1 draw and 5 losses on 16 points , 9 off the pace of competition leaders and heavyweights Apia Leichhardt who are on 25 points , and just beat Blacktown City last

Travis Major . Photo : BCFC .

start 4 – 2 at Landen Stadium which saw Travis Major pick up 2 goals for Blacktown .

The Blacktown City squad are jam packed full of talent with the likes of Captain Mario Shabow weaving his magic in the midfield with Adam Berry , and experienced goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast bringing his A game every time the team walks on to the pitch . Jack O ’ Brien is leading the way on the park with 8 goals , 1 ahead of Travis Major back on 7 goals .

Injuries have not been kind to Blacktown City , losing some key personnel through injury and retirement . Also transfers , including Mitch Mallia who retired from injury , Jordan Smylie who picked up 10 goals in 17 games last year with Blacktown after spending three years with the Central Coast Mariners and has now signed with Keflavik in Iceland for 2023 . And not to forget Danny Choi who suffered a season ending ACL injury in round 3 against NWS Spirit and Matthew Lewis who picked up an MCL injury in the same game .

The next month will be tough for the Blacktown boys with games against

St George City FA on 22 April , Northbridge Bulls Academy at home on 30 April , Wollongong Wolves on 5 May , and home against Rockdale City Suns on 14 May .

The women ’ s side are into their second season now in FNSW League One Women ’ s competition . After 6 rounds the women have had 1 win , 2 draws and 3 losses and there are definitely signs of improvement in the squad , particularly with the shrewd signing of Malea Cesar from the Philippines National Team .

There are still season memberships available for the club , which includes General Admission for the home games , 1 x 70 ^th anniversary limited edition official playing jersey or 1 x 2023 Premium Supporters Hoodie , 1 x 2023 scarf , game day discount and members only corporate box access a membership card , and a Reward Me card plus 1 free kids ’ meal at the Star Hotel ( formerly Lily ’ s Restaurant ). The total value of the package is $ 390 and is only $ 225 . You can also pick up match day General Admission tickets are $ 15 from the ground . All the games are at Landen Stadium , 5 Quinn Ave , Seven Hills .

The club are also proudly sponsored by the Walker Corporation who are investing over $ 2 billion into the Blacktown CBD to help revitalise the area and make it the

Blacktown City celebrating a goal . Photo : Not24Get .

best in the west and Momento Hospitality .

It ’ s an exciting time to be involved with Blacktown also being 1 of the 32 clubs who have lodged a formal Expression of Interest with Football Australia . With the success of the club and growth of the area , the sky is the limit for Blacktown City !

An extra bit of info , you can always access photos from Not24Get . They upload photos from all home games and most away games . Please just give them a credit if you use any of them . Spread the word ! Go Blacktown City !

THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 95 // MAY 2023 31