Illawarra fans will have to wait a little longer to see the Stingrays play in 2020.
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The Stingrays were set to kick off their Women's National Premier League One campaign against Northern Tigers this Sunday at JJ Kelly Park. However, the game has been postponed due to several players across both teams remaining under W-League contracts.
The majority are from the Rays including Western Sydney Wanderers' Caitlin Cooper, Erica Halloway, Liana Danaskos, Chloe Middleton and Danika Matos, plus Canberra United recruits Olivia Price, Lauren Keir and Sally James.
The Mercury understands that Illawarra's round two game may also be delayed due to the ongoing W-League finals series.
Rays coach Bruce Tilt said the decision was a "little bit disappointing".
"Our girls at the Wanderers have a bye this weekend and then go into the semi finals next week," he said.
"We also have a couple of girls coming out of Canberra who can't train with us because they're contracted until the 22nd [of March]."
The Stingrays warmed up for their campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over fellow Women's NPL1 side NSW Koalas last weekend.
Tilt said his players had also been working hard at training.
"Even with the rain, we're slogging through it and getting some work done that these girls haven't done before," the coach said.
"We've been doing ball work on the beach and all kinds of funny things to keep the interest there for the young girls in these tough conditions."
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