Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the expansion of its top tier men’s competition, with New Lambton FC to be included in the National Premier Leagues Men’s Northern NSW competition for 2023.
New Lambton exceeded the requirements of a review conducted under the Club Development Rating System where 11 key criteria of the club’s off-field performance were measured. These included youth development, coaching, governance, organisational structure, facilities and finance.
The NPL Men’s NNSW competition will expand to a 12-club league for the first time since its inception next season with New Lambton’s inclusion. The HIT106.9 Northern League One competition will feature nine clubs.
NNSWF General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley said New Lambton’s promotion was thoroughly deserved.
“New Lambton FC have continually invested in youth development over the long term, including the appointment of former Socceroo and Newcastle Jets coach Clayton Zane as its technical director,” Bentley said.
“They have worked with Newcastle City Council on the Alder Park masterplan which will see a host of upgrades finalised by the 2023 NPL NNSW season including new undercover seating, match official amenities as well as the spectator amenities available through the Alder Park Sports Club.
“New Lambton are a very well-run club off the pitch with sound governance, a strong financial position and have demonstrated clear strategic plans over the last five to 10 years.”
New Lambton FC merged with New Lambton Eagles in 2016, bringing the two clubs back together after 40 years apart.
The merger and the club’s strong development program built the platform for New Lambton to compete at the top of northern NSW football, with New Lambton entering teams in the men’s second tier in 2017 and Women’s Premier League competition in 2018.
New Lambton’s men won back-to-back Northern League One first grade premierships in 2020 and 2021 and are on course to make it three in a row this season as the Eagles enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the table.
The Eagles transitioned to the NPL Women’s NNSW competition this season, having enjoyed plenty of previous success in the WPL. New Lambton won the premiership-championship double in their second season in 2019 while also making a finals appearance in their maiden campaign.
New Lambton FC president Clayton Harrison said the promotion was great recognition of 10 years of hard work.
“I think this is evidence that long term commitment can turn into long term gain,” Harrison said.
“It reinforces all the effort put in the last few years. And it is going to allow New Lambton kids to stay at New Lambton from under-6s to retirement if they choose.
“I think we will bring something different to the competition. I think we’ve proven ourselves with our high retention rates and commitment to development.
“It was really important for us to be successful on the pitch this year as well. If we were going to go up we wanted to win the competition and put in a good show across all the age groups. Only then could the players feel deserving of promotion.
“As a club we have a real commitment to community. We’re one of the largest and most diverse community clubs around and we’re growing up as a club.”
Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland congratulated New Lambton on their inclusion in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition.
“NNSWF implemented the agreed process adopted by the board following the last application process in 2019 which subsequently saw Cooks Hill United promoted to the NPL Men’s NNSW competition last year for this season,” Eland said.
“This is certainly a deserved promotion for New Lambton FC that rewards plenty of hard work over a long period of time. We wish New Lambton FC all the best for its future and congratulate them on their inclusion.”
