The future of some clubs in the National Premier League and FV state league competitions is a bit clearer.
Football Victoria issued a release this week clarifying the promotion and relegation structure.
While the structure was stipulated in the competition rules at the start of the season, several clubs had told Star Weekly they had heard conflicting reports about what might and might not happen.
In the NPL competition, the bottom two teams may be relegated to NPL2 for 2023.
The top two teams from the NPL2 competition may be promoted to the NPL competition, provided those clubs meet the requirements outlined in the NPL license agreement.
The bottom two teams of the NPL2 competition will face a play off to stay in that division.
The bottom side will face the third ranked team in the NPL3 competition and the second bottom team will face the fourth team from NPL3, with the winners likely to be in NPL2 next season.
Currently Werribee City sits second bottom in NPL2, while Western United is sitting fourth in NPL3.
The top two teams from NPL3 are likely to be promoted as long as they meet the necessary requirements.
The bottom two teams of NPL3 may be relegated to the state league 1 competitions.
The top two teams of the two state league 1 competitions may be promoted to the NPL3 competition. In state league 1 north-west Caroline Springs George Cross sits top.
In state league 2 and state league 3, the top two sides in each competition may be promoted, while the bottom side in each competition may be relegated.
While teams may be promoted from state league 4, there is set to be no promotion. This means Spring Hills won’t be relegated.
Vacancies in state league 5 will be filled by new team entries.
In the women’s competition, no teams are set to be relegated in the NPLW competition.
The top four teams of the Victorian Premier League Women’s competition may be promoted in the NPLW competition.
The top three from the two state league 1 competitions could be promoted in the VPL.
Spring Hills currently sits third.
