Long-time clubwomen Elizabeth Ralston is relishing the chance to pull on Sky Blue again following the reveal of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 fixtures today.
Ralston said there’s a number of games that stand out for her this year in a mixed draw for the club, as she prepares for her seventh consecutive season with Sydney FC.
View our full 2018/19 Westfield W-League Draw
The Sky Blues kick off the 2018/19 season with an away #SydneyDerby at Marconi Stadium and round out the regular season at home at WIN Stadium, Wollongong against Melbourne City.
The 12 game competition features four Hyundai A-League double headers and four new broadcast games on Thursday nights.
“It’s always really exciting and special every season, playing for Sydney FC,” she said.
“It feels really great to be an important part of the club and to have been around the club for so long. It’s always exciting and I always love playing in Sky Blue.
“It’ll be a really good way to start the season, it’s always a tough game against Wanderers and this year there are some familiar faces in their line up so it’ll be a very interesting and intense game to start the season.
“It’ll be a little different playing on a Thursday but we tend to suit the evening or afternoon games so the girls will be fine and we’ll certainly get used to it.
“It’s always great to play ahead of the men too,” she continued.
“It gives us really great exposure and it’s good for both the fans and the players. It’ll be really enjoyable and I’m glad we’ve got a few opportunities to do that again this season.”
Playing out of the Sky Blues new home grounds of Jubilee Stadium, Leichhardt Oval, Seymour Shaw and WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Ralston said she enjoys the more intimate venues.
“I actually really enjoy playing at the smaller stadiums, and it’s great that the club will be taking our games to these grounds in the next few years. I think the girls feel the same way,” she said.
“You go out to a community and they get the opportunity to come to a game they might not otherwise have.
“Previously when we’ve done games at Sutherland and Manly the turnout has always been really great and the support has been excellent so I’ve got no doubt a few of those venues will be really great opportunities for new fans to head out and watch a game.
“All of the areas have excellent women’s football communities and it will be a pleasure to play in front of them,” she continued.
“They’re always very supportive so I think it’s good to give back to our communities with the opportunity to have a W-League game in their local area.”
The venue for the Sky Blues home game with Adelaide United is still to be confirmed with Cromer Park in Manly a likely host for the fixture.
All matches in the Westfield W-League season will be broadcast or streamed live on Fox Sports, SBS Viceland and the My Football Live app, which is live, fast and data free for Telstra mobile customers.
Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League 2018/19 season kicks off on 25 October with an away #SydneyDerby at Marconi Stadium (kick off 7:30pm AEST). #WatchWithUs LIVE on Fox Sports and via the MyFootball Live app.
