The 2021 Western Premier League, also called the Burmac Western Premier League for sponsorship reasons, was the 21st season of the Western Premier League (WPL), the top football league in the Central West region of New South Wales. It was the second consecutive year that the competition ran, after an eight-year hiatus. Dubbo Bulls were the defending champions after defeating city rivals Macquarie United in the grand final at Apex Oval,Scott Fox scores twice as Dubbo FC wins Western Premier League grand final in Daily Liberal, 28 September 2020 whilst Macquarie United were the defending premiers.
The season saw the competition expand to nine teams for this season, two more than last year, with the addition of four-time champions Orange Waratahs,Adam Scimone is excited to get to work at Waratahs FC in Central Western Daily, 7 January 2021 who last played in the WPL during the 2012 season, and Mudgee Wolves,Mudgee Gulgong Wolves FC to play in Western Premier League competition in Mudgee Guardian, 27 January 2021 who last played in the WPL during the 1997 season.
The season was ultimately cancelled after 17 rounds due to COVID-19 lockdown and no title was awarded.Western Premier League season abandoned due to COVID lockdown in Daily Liberal, 26 August, 2021 At the time of the competition's cancellation, Orana Spurs lead the competition two points ahead of Orange Waratahs, with just one round to play before finals.
Season summary
The 2021 season kicked-off with an Orange local derby when Orange Waratahs, who was making its return to the WPL, played Barnstoneworth United at Waratah Sports Ground. The match finished 1-all.Waratahs FC and Barnstoneworth United FC fought their way to a stalemate in the WPL opener in Central Western Daily 9 April, 2021
In July, following a COVID-19 lockdown for the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne local government areas,Orange COVID lockdown needed to 'protect the community' in Central Western Daily 21 July, 2021 the round 15 match between Panorama and Barnstoneworth United was postponed, with Macquarie United and Parkes Cobras postponed too, as the latter had a number of players living or working in the Cabonne area.Lockdown in Orange, Blayney and Cabonne forces Central West competitions into postponements, cancellations in Western Advocate 21 July, 2021
The entire final round of the competition, scheduled to be played on 14 August, was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Dubbo.Lockdown confirmed for Dubbo after positive COVID-19 cases in Daily Liberal, 11 August 2021Western Premier League season pushed back one week in Daily Liberal, 12 August 2021 The final round was originally pushed back by one week but as the Dubbo lockdown continued and all of New South Wales was put into lockdown on 14 August, the competition was postponed indefinitely. After the announcement that the lockdown for regional New South Wales would be extended to September,Premier Gladys Berejiklian extends regional NSW lockdown as cases explode in www.news.com.au, 26 August 2021 the competition was ultimately abandoned on August 26.Western Premier League season abandoned due to COVID lockdown in Daily Liberal, 26 August, 2021 While Orana Spurs lead Orange Waratahs by two points on the ladder, no title was officially awarded.
Teams
Home venues and locations
Team Location Home groundBarnstoneworth UnitedOrangeJack Brabham ParkDubbo BullsDubboLady Cutler OvalLithgow Workmen'sLithgowMarjorie Jackson OvalMacquarie UnitedDubboHans Claven Oval Mudgee WolvesMudgeeGlen Willow Regional Sports StadiumOrana SpursDubboLady Cutler OvalOrange WaratahsOrangeWaratah Sports GroundPanoramaBathurstProctor ParkParkes CobrasParkesWoodward Oval
Personal and kits
Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Kit sponsor Barnstoneworth United Josh Ward Duncan Logan KonQa Tilstons Electrical Dubbo Bulls James Leonard Kobe Rapley James Leonard Kobe Rapley Lindsay Mumford Suzuki Lithgow Workmen's Brad Luka Brad Luka Kookaburra Hunter Mining Methods Macquarie United Paul Crain Rhys Osborne Puma Castlereagh Hotel, Dubbo Mudgee Wolves Christopher Clegg Harry Hall Chad Bowmaker Lindsay Henderson Gioca Kelly's Irish Pub, Mudgee Orana Spurs Benjamin Mason Jared Corby Puma South Dubbo Tavern Orange Waratahs Adam Scimone Adam Scimone Country Fruit Distributors Panorama Brent Osborne Ricky Guihot Nike Agile Arbor Tree Services Parkes Cobras Meghan Kempson Brent Tucker Goosey Coachman Hotel Motel, Parkes
Regular season
Ladder
Results
Top goal scorers
RankPlayerClubGoals1Alec BatesonParkes Cobras10 Jacob Soetens-Chidiac Panorama3Brody AustinDubbo Bulls9 Justin Gibson Orana Spurs Craig Sugden Orange Waratahs6Guy BurgessOrange Waratahs88Justin SuttonMacquarie United7 Kenny McCall Barnstoneworth United Joel Tongue Orana Spurs Jake Ferguson Orana Spurs
References