Heyman, 20 has signed with Sydney FC for the inaugural W-League, which kicks off later this month.

This time last year, Heyman (pictured) had just finished a premiership-winning campaign with Shellharbour in the Illawarra Women's Football Association competition.

This season, she spearheaded the Illawarra Stingrays' charge to NSW Women's Super League grand final glory.

Now she is preparing for the start of the first women's national football league since the NSL shut down in 2004.

Sydney FC start their campaign against Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium on October 25.

Not only will Heyman be the only Sydney FC player to come from the second-tier NSW competition into the W-League, but she will playing in the striker's spot originally reserved for 55-game Matildas veteran Sarah Walsh.

"I'm expecting a fair bit of time because Walshy is out until December and I'll be taking her spot," Heyman said.

"It's going to be a massive step - the girls are so much stronger, tougher and bigger.

"They're more skilful - these girls have the most skill that I've ever seen."

Heyman hoped her W-League start could lead to a contract within the United States-based Women's Professional Soccer competition or a Matildas cap.

"There's going to be a lot of scouts looking at these games, so hopefully we can get noticed and go on to bigger and better things," she said.

Heyman said Central Coast Mariners would be Sydney FC's stiffest competition, while Canberra United would be the dark horses.

"We've got five Australian players and training with them and talking to them has taught me so much just in the past five weeks."

Heyman said being one of 10 to make the cut from 120 triallists was easily the biggest achievement of her career, which started with the Warilla Wanderers as an 11-year-old.

"It's massive, especially coming from the Illawarra where it is not big - it was really hard to get into the side," Heyman said.

Heyman expects to return to the Stingrays for next year's NSW Women's Premier League campaign.

"I can't wait now that we're in the top league," Heyman said.