Football South Coast director Bill Drossos has been told by FFA head of women's football Leeanne Grantham, the national competition would remain at seven clubs after the Mariners pulled out due to lack of funds.

That announcement prompted Drossos to appeal for the Illawarra to enter the upcoming season, which will start in November.

However, the plan failed to clear the first hurdle, with Grantham saying three months wasn't enough time to set up a viable club.

The aborted push means the region will have to wait at least another year to return to the national stage after the demise of the NSL in 2004.

"The FFA have advised us that this W-League season will remain as a seven-team competition and that they will not be looking to fill the position left vacant by the Central Coast with a South Coast team," Drossos said.

"The FFA are fully aware of the support for women's football on the South Coast and so we have total confidence in their decision-making process with regards to any future expansion of the W-League."

Drossos declared the failed proposal wouldn't affect women's and youth fixtures at WIN Stadium later this year.

Sydney FC's W-League team will face Perth on November 27 and Melbourne on December 11. The Melbourne match will be the curtain-raiser for Sydney's National Youth League tussle with Newcastle.

Shellharbour product and former Stingray Michelle Heyman made her national team debut after being named W-League player of the year and winning the golden boot while playing for the Mariners last season.

Members of the defunct Central Coast side Lyndsay Glohe, Samantha Spackman, Ash Connor and Trudy Camilleri are plying their trade for the Illawarra Stingrays, who can clinch back-to-back state premierships tomorrow.

That group will now hope for spots with one of Sydney FC, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth.