This week, Bentleigh Greens and Bayside United jointly issued an extremely interesting and important announcement.
They announced their merger, which will result in the birth of a new club with teams of all ages and genders. Bayside United, which currently only has women’s teams, competed in the NPL Women’s Championship last year.
They finished the season in eighth place in the standings. This historic move has many benefits for both clubs as they each possess elements that the other lacks.
The aim of this merger, under the common name and mark of Bentleigh Greens, is to create teams that will play a leading role in both the men’s and women’s leagues in the upcoming years.
The Victorian NPL schedule for the 2024 season has been announced
The NPL championships will start in February and March with some highly contested matches.
South Melbourne Hellas, last season’s grand final finalist, will play against the Melbourne Knights in the OG Melbourne derby on Friday, February 8th at 20:15.
Oakleigh Cannons will face the newly promoted Manningham United at home on Saturday, February 9th.
Port Melbourne will host the St. Albans Saints, while the only Greek team playing away from home on the first matchday is Heidelberg United, facing the tough Altona Magic.
The four “blue and white” clubs have set high goals for themselves this year and they all aim to have a leading role in the season which kicks off in approximately two months.
The first round of any championship is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the season and the teams are determined to make a strong start.
The fixtures for the clubs competing in the NPL1 and NPL2 have been also announced and look challenging.
For the NPL1 , which begins on the same weekend as the NPL, Kingston City will play away against Western United.
Northcote City will host Melbourne City youngsters, Brunswick City will compete at home against Eastern Lions and Bentleigh Greens will start their away campaign against Langwarrin.
Box Hill will be the only Greek team competing in the NPL2 Championship and will kick off the season at home against Pascoe Vale on Friday, March 8th.
