Hills United FC Start New Season With New Signings

FNSW launched their 2025 football season at Valentine Park, Glenwood. Picture: FNSW

The Hills United men’s team will be angling for honours in FNSW League One Men’s competition as the 2025 NSW football season gets underway from Friday, February 7.

The season was officially launched last week at Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood , which attracted nearly 50 players from the three senior men’s competitions, FNSW officials, sponsors and the media.

Hills United has beefed up their team as return to the second tier competition this season, after their tough debut in the NPL. Despite losing their very experienced coach Luke Casserly just before the season kicks off, the Hills United are keen to atone for their 16^th place in the NPL last year.

They have signed a number of players, including junior Fijian internationals Marcus and Lachlan Lal, Yuki Kanai (Mounties Wanderers), Walid Moutaouakkil (French) and Oscar Rava (Gladesville Ryde Magic), Daniel Bakrdanikoski (Bankstown City), James Georgaklis (Mt Druitt) and Zen Gigliotti (Macarthur Bulls).

Marcus and Lachlan Lal…new faces at Hills United. Picture: Courtesy Manly United social media

The Hills outfit will start their season against Macarthur Rams at the Albert Butler Memorial Park on Saturday, February 8, at 6.30pm. Their second game pits them against Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC on Saturday, February 15, at 7pm.

The Hills United women, meanwhile, will start their NPL Women’s League One on Saturday, March 1, taking on South Coast Flame, at the Sir Ian McLennan Oval. Kick off: 3pm. The Hills women’s side has been very impressive over the past few season, finishing sixth last year.

They are expected to be among the front runners for the titles. Their second round game will be on Sunday, March 9, when they face Inter Lions FC at home, starting at 5.30pm.

In the FNSW League Two Men’s competition, Hawkesbury City FC have boosted their ranks with some new signings, giving them a boost as they bid to improve on the 12th place finish last year. FNSW said most of Hawks’ squad from 2024 has been retained, with midfielder Ray Miller being a free agent, as well as young wingers and a young midfielder from Hills United under-20s.

The Hawks are implementing a longer-term plan, with all of their under-20s having played SAP and youth in the past, with 14 of those 20 youth players having been at the club for at least five years. With a steady home ground this season unaffected by floods, the Hawks will hope to find all-round consistency as they chase a top-five finish in 2025.

“Following record community football registrations in 2024, demand to play our game continues to grow,” said Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet. “Our competitions provide an important role in inspiring our youth and illustrating a pathway for talented players across the state to aim towards.

“These leagues continue to nurture some of the most exciting talent in the country and we are proud to have seen more players take the next step to the A-Leagues and other domestic competitions around the world.”

2025 NPL NSW and Football NSW Leagues commencement dates: NPL Men’s NSW: Friday, February 7; League 1 Men’s: Saturday, February 8, League 2 Men’s: Friday, February 7.