Women's Premier League (Singapore)
The Women's Premier League (WPL), currently known as the Deloitte Women's Premier League due to sponsorship reasons with audit firm Deloitte, is the top-flight women's football league in Singapore. It is run by Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and features seven amateur teams.
History
The WPL started in August 2000 in Singapore.[1]
In 2004, in a similar move to S.League, the WPL invited a foreign team to join the league. Guangzhou Sunray Cave from China joined the WPL.[2]
In 2019, WPL had 10 teams.[3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, WPL was suspended since 2019.[3]
On 28 May 2022, WPL resumed competition and started the 2022 season.[4]
Competition format
Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored.
At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned league champion. If the points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results between teams are equal, head-to-head records between the teams are used, followed by a better fair play record.
There is no promotion system in the league but clubs with the least points will be relegated. For three seasons onwards from the 2022 season onwards for three seasons, there will be no relegation to the second-tier Women’s National League.[1]
Clubs
The following seven clubs are competing in the league during the 2022 season.[1] All matches are held at Yishun Stadium.[5]
| Team | Founded |
|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata (S) | 2022 |
| Balestier Khalsa | 2022 |
| Hougang United | 2022 |
| Lion City Sailors | |
| Still Aerion | 2005 |
| Tanjong Pagar United | |
| Tiong Bahru |
Former clubs
Invited clubs
- Guangzhou Sunray Cave (2004-)[2]
Players
The minimum age of players has been raised from 15 to 16. Exceptions are allowed subjected to club's request and FAS's approval. The foreign player quota increased to four from three per club.[5]
Clubs need to register a minimum of 18 players, with a maximum of 25 players in their squads. Each team will be allowed maximum of nine substitutes per match, reduced from 14 substitutes.[5]
Past champions
| Season | Winners | Runners-up | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Tampines Rovers | Singapore American School “A” | [7] |
| 2001 | Tampines Rovers | Home United | [7] |
| 2002 | Tampines Rovers | Home United “A” | [7] |
| 2003 | Tampines Rovers | Home United | [7] |
| 2004 | Guangzhou Sunray Cave | Home United | [7] |
| 2005 | Paya Lebar Punggol | Bishan Arsenal | [7] |
| 2006 | Young Women | Paya Lebar Punggol | [7] |
| 2007 | Bishan Arsenal | Young Women | .[7] |
| 2008 | Young Women | Arion | [7] |
| 2009 | Sengkang Punggol | Middle Rangers "A" | [7] |
| 2010 | Ang Mo Kio | Middle Rangers | [7] |
| 2011 | Borussia Zamrud | Police | [7] |
| 2012 | Tanjong Pagar United | Middle Rangers | [7] |
| 2013 | Middle Rangers | Young Women | [7] |
| 2014 | Eunos Crescent | Police | [7] |
| 2015 | GFA Sporting Westlake | Police | [7] |
| 2016 | Warriors | Arion | [7] |
| 2017 | Warriors | Woodlands Wellington | [7] |
| 2018 | Warriors | Woodlands Wellington | [7] |
| 2019 | Warriors | Home United | [7] |
Sponsorship
On 4 May 2022, Deloitte became the title sponsor for the WPL for three years.[1] The three-year sponsorship deal includes more than $300,000 with the prize money for the champion increased to $25,000.[1]
Broadcasting
Games are broadcast on Deloitte's youtube page.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e Auto, Hermes (4 May 2022). "Football: Singapore's Women's Premier League launched, $300,000 title sponsorship with Deloitte". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Foreign team for FAS women's league". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. 5 July 2004. p. 42. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
- ^ a b Auto, Hermes (7 January 2022). "Football: Women's game remains on the sidelines in Singapore". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (28 May 2022). "Football: Cameras, fans and goals as Women's Premier League hits reset button | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Auto, Hermes (25 May 2022). "Football: Women's Premier League kicks off on Saturday with double-header at Yishun Stadium". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Paya Lebar rule, with help from China". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. 19 September 2005. p. 49. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Women's Premier League returns with first-ever title sponsor". Football Association of Singapore. 4 May 2022.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (28 May 2022). "Football: Cameras, fans and goals as Women's Premier League hits reset button". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
| National teams | |
|---|---|
| League competitions | |
| Cup competitions |
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