![The Illawarra Stingrays, the Julie Porter Cup and the Wollongong Wolves will all be in action in the region this weekend. Pictures by Adam McLean and Anna Warr The Illawarra Stingrays, the Julie Porter Cup and the Wollongong Wolves will all be in action in the region this weekend. Pictures by Adam McLean and Anna Warr](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/181794477/9dc30262-83b9-4a86-8575-6348ffef64af.jpg/r0_0_1890_1063_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It's set to be a bumper weekend of local football in the Illawarra with teams the Wolves, the Stingrays and the Flame all playing as well as Illawarra Premier and District League and the Julie Porter Cup getting underway in the region. Here is your complete guide.
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The Wolves and the Stingrays will play their first home fixtures of the season, whilst IPL and District League fans will flock to the grounds for round one of the respective competitions.
Illawarra Women's Premier League teams will also start off their competitive action with the Julie Porter Cup set to get underway.
Football NSW League Two Men's team the Flame will also be at home at their home ground, Ian McLennan Park.
So here is your complete guide to the action...
Wolves v St George City (Sunday, March 3)
David Carney's side will look for back-to-back victories in the National Premier League Men's NSW competition when they take on St George City at Albert Butler Memorial Park.
It will be the first Wolves home game of the season. Even more incentive for fans to go is the fact that the side then has another two away fixtures following the City game.
For those who can't get to the ground, you can also stream the game via Football NSW's YouTube channel.
Kickoff is 3pm.
Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur (Sunday, March 3)
Round one in the NPL Women's NSW comp begins for the Stingrays at home at Macedonia Park, Berkeley.
The Stingrays will be looking for another year of improvement in Steve Gordon's second year as coach.
With current Matildas Michelle Heyman, Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler all coming from the Stingrays system, there is sure to be a number of future national team players in the 2024 team.
Stingrays coach Gordon said it was set to be a big day at Macedonia Park.
"It's nice to start with a home game against the defending premiers," he said.
"We'll get a big following down there with a lot of the SAP (Skills Acquisition Program) kids that have been coming to the pre-season games and we're really starting to get that rapport through the club, which is great.
"So there's a lot of support. So there will be a good crowd down there on Sunday.
Similar to the Wolves, the Stingrays match will also be streamed via FNSW's YouTube. Kickoff is 5pm.
Illawarra Premier and District League League
![Wollongong Olympic begin their IPL campaign at home to Helensburgh. Picture by Adam McLean Wollongong Olympic begin their IPL campaign at home to Helensburgh. Picture by Adam McLean](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/181794477/e041614c-91f1-4e61-a2d6-12faea356f00.jpg/r0_160_3138_1931_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Local football is back with the return of the Illawarra Premier League and the District League.
24 teams across the two divisions will battle it out across 22 rounds before finals at the end of the season.
Round one IPL fixtures:
- Friday, March 1 - Cringila v Port Kemba at Crehan Park. 8pm KO
- Saturday, March 2 - Shellharbour v Tarrawanna at Barrack Heights Sports Field. 2:30pm KO
- Saturday, March 2 - Wollongong United v SCU at Macedonia Park. 2:30pm KO
- Saturday, March 2 - Coniston v Bulli at JJ Kelly Park. 3pm KO
- Sunday, March 3 - Corrimal v APWE at Memorial Park. 2:30pm KO
- Sunday, March 3 - Olympic v Helensburgh at PCYC. 2:30pm KO
Round one District League fixtures:
- Thursday, February 29 - Thirroul v Balgownie at Thomas Gibson Park. 8:30pm KO.
- Saturday, March 2 - Bellambi v Warilla at Elizabeth Park. 3pm KO
- Saturday, March 2 - Oak Flats v Fernhill at Keith Bond Oval. 3pm KO
- Saturday, March 2 - UOW v Gerringong at Kooloobong Oval. 3pm KO
- Sunday, March 3 - Berkeley v Unanderra at Berkeley Sports. 3pm KO
- Sunday, March 3 - Shoalhaven v Picton at South Nowra Football Grounds. 3pm KO
Julie Porter Cup
![Shellharbour won the 2023 Illawarra Women's Premier League grand final. Picture by Anna Warr Shellharbour won the 2023 Illawarra Women's Premier League grand final. Picture by Anna Warr](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/181794477/80a450f0-2932-4df1-968d-79b29bb7bd63.jpg/r0_307_6000_3694_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The start to the Illawarra Women's Premier League team's season begins with the Julie Porter Cup.
The defending IWPL league champions Woonona will go up against Bulli at Ocean Park on Sunday, March 3 whilst on the same day Thirroul will take on the defending IWPL grand final champions Shellharbour at Thomas Gibson Park.
Kickoff for both fixtures is 3pm.
South Coast Flame (Friday, March 1)
Football South Coast's NPL team will be at home at Kembla Grange at Ian McLennan Park when they take on Sydney Uni on Friday, March 1.
The team could not have gotten off to a better start in the season, winning their first three games, meaning they sit top of the FNSW League Two Men's table.
Former Helensburgh IPL coach Andrew Paine leads a side that boast plenty of talent including ex-Wolves player James Baldacchino, former Wollongong Olympic midfielder Jason Pappas and Flame stalwart, Matthew Mazevski.
Kickoff for the match is 8pm.
The Flame women will also be in action on Saturday, March 2 in both first grade and U20s when they take on Inter Lions, also at Ian McLennan Park. Kickoff for the main game is 3pm.