For the first time in over 37 years, local football will return to free-to-air television, after today we announce that both the RAANPLSA and WNPLSA Grand Finals are to broadcast live on CH44 Adelaide.
The RAA NPLSA Grand Final, presented by ServiceFM, will be played as a standalone fixture on Friday 9th September at 7.30pm, while the WNPLSA Grand Final to be at ServiceFM Stadium on Friday 23rd September, with a kick off time to be confirmed. Both games will also be streamed as usual to the NPL.TV platform.
Fans will also be able to enjoy a replayed match on Wednesday night on Channel 44 from 8.30pm from this week.
Football SA CEO, Michael Carter is thrilled with the partnership.
"We're continuing to create ways to connect the games corporate partners to the local community and have our players showcased on the national stage. Over 150,000 people watch Channel 44 each month in the Adelaide metropolitan area and we are absolutely delighted with this partnership. This is going to be great for the local game and we look forward to seeing the results. There's a lot of great things planned for 2023 onwards and we're delighted to start with this announcement."
Channel 44 Adelaide General Manager, Lauren Hillman welcomes local football back to free-to-air tv.
"We are absolutely thrilled that we are going to be broadcasting these Grand Finals for the first time in a very long time. With the buzz around the FIFA Women's World Cup next year, we know there is a real desire to engage with local sport, which is what we do best at community tv. We just know that our audiences are going to be really excited to be able to watch the NPLSA on Channel 44."
Football SA welcome players from both Premiership winning sides as part of the announcement. Adelaide City Mens player Aladin Irabona said:
"This is a massive opportunity for both the Men's and Women's game as well and I think it's fantastic. The more people and fans you can have watching the game, the more you want to perform and play well."
West Adelaide's and former Adelaide United A League Women's player Meleri Mullan thinks this is a big moment for the women's game in South Australia.
"It's absolutely fantastic to have the WNPLSA Grand Final on free-to-air tv ahead of the Women's World Cup here next year, it's great that we are able to showcase the talent we have here in South Australia."