THE 2023 community football season kicks off this weekend as almost 5000 players from four years old and upwards will lace up their boots across the North Coast Football (NCF) region.

This year’s women’s division one competition has expanded to seven teams – Woolgoolga Wildcats, Urunga Raiders, Boambee Eagles, Coffs United Lionesses, Bellingen FC, Sawtell FC and Coffs United Pridettes.

Women’s senior football has been dominated by the Urunga Raiders and the Boambee Eagles for the last few years but the new kids on the block could change that.

Coffs City United Lionesses staked their credentials when they defeated Urunga in the final of the Challenge Cup in Nambucca last month.

The Lionesses take on the Boambee Eagles on Saturday 22 April at Ayrshire Park.

Urunga are the reigning premiers and defending champions after defeating Boambee on penalties in last year’s grand final.

Urunga kick-off their season against the Coffs United Pridettes on Saturday 22 April on their home turf.

The Woolgoolga Wildcats dominated last year’s division two competition and with the addition of talented juniors moving up to senior football will be a force to be reckoned with.

Sawtell FC competed in last year’s Coastal League One Women competition and have been improving every year.

Sawtell have a strong junior base so their talent pool improves every year as players make the transition from junior to senior football.

Sawtell host Woolgoolga on Saturday 22 April at Toormina Fields.

Bellingen FC have been a dominant force in girls junior football, winning last year’s under 16s grand final but have the bye in round one and will have to keep their powder dry for round two.

The NCF Men’s Premier League consists of six teams; Coffs City United, Coffs Coast Tigers, Northern Storm, Sawtell FC, Woolgoolga Wolves and Westlawn Tigers from Grafton.

Reigning premiers and defending champions Coffs United will be under stiff competition from old and new rivals.

In the only Sunday fixture of the round, the Lions open their campaign with the ANZAC Day Challenge Match 2023 against Northern Storm on 23 April at 2:10pm.

The teams will be wearing specially designed ANZAC Day Challenge Match uniforms and a short ceremony will take place before kick off.

Woolgoolga Wolves host Coffs Coast Tigers on Saturday 22 April at 3pm, both teams have had a strong preseason and a good run in this year’s Australia Cup.

Sawtell FC travel to Grafton to face the Westlawn Tigers, kicking off at 3pm at Barnier Park.

By David WIGLEY