SOME of the biggest names in premier league women’s soccer will warm up for the season ahead in a round robin competition in Wodonga this weekend.

Matildas’ nurseries in Marconi Stallions and Canberra FC will play against a development squad from Tasmania and last year’s Victorian women’s premier league runners-up Bulleen.

The pre-season tournament is seen as a forerunner to Murray United fielding women and girls teams next year.

Games will be played at LaTrobe in Wodonga on a weekend that will also see an NPL men’s trial between Murray United and Port Melbourne at 6pm on Saturday night.

Emilia Hanuska, 16, is one player looking to the future and hoping to play NPL.

The Wodonga Catholic College student said she had exhausted her age representative opportunities.

“I played for AWFA and Riverina, trialled for country NSW,” she said.

“But the travel was a big issue and there is the sense that you have to be under their eye all the time.

“Locally there is a big gap in the standard between the top and bottom teams in AWFA.

“There is nothing better than playing a tough game against Boomers or Albury City, but then there can be five weeks of either no soccer or teams who don’t have that quality.

“I want to play soccer professionally and I think the only way that is going to happen is to be picked up through NPL.

“Just for your development you need to play at the highest standard possible.”

Murray United’s director of women’s soccer, Steve Foden, said it was a coup for the sport.

“We’re very happy to have grabbed the opportunity to invite interstate women’s teams here on the Border for some pre-season warm up games,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get some interest from women on the Border to come and have a look.

“What better way to show players on the Border what standard would be required from them if we are successful in gaining a WNPL licence for 2016.

“Having clubs like Marconi, Bulleen, Tasmanian NTC and Canberra wanting to come here is great promotion for women’s football on the border.

“I’m just sorry we couldn’t get the AWFA women’s side here.

“Time constraints didn’t allow us to organise a local rep side. Maybe next year.”