W-League (Australia)
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| Country |
 Australia |
|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
| Founded | 25 October 2008 |
| First season | 2008–09 |
| Number of teams | 9 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Current premiers | Canberra United (3rd title) |
| Most championships |
Brisbane Roar Sydney FC Canberra United Melbourne City (2 titles) |
| Most premierships | Canberra United (3 titles) |
| TV partners |
ABC Fox Sports |
| Website | w-league.com.au |
 2016–17 W-League
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The W-League is the top-division women's soccer league in Australia, run by Football Federation Australia (FFA). The W-League was established in 2008 and was composed of eight teams of which seven had an affiliation with an A-League clubs. The eighth team was a new entity based in Canberra. The league is currently contested by nine teams. The competition is known as the Westfield W-League through a sponsorship arrangement with the Westfield Group.
Seasons typically run from November to February and include a 12-round regular season and an end-of-season finals series playoff tournament involving the highest-placed teams, culminating in a grand final match. The winner of the regular season tournament is dubbed 'premier' and the winner of the grand final is 'champion'. Since the league's inaugural season, a total of four clubs have been crowned W-League Premiers and four clubs have been crowned W-League Champions.
From 2012 to 2014, the W-League champion team qualified into an international competition, the International Women's Club Championship.
Canberra United are the current premiers, having won the trophy for a record third time. Melbourne City are the current champions, having won the Grand Final in both seasons in which they have competed.
Between 1996–2004 the Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) was Australia's top women's association football league. In 2004 it was discontinued alongside the men's National Soccer League.
After Australia qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, head coach Tom Sermanni felt the establishment of a professional league was vital for continuing the development of players.Football Federation Australia established the league the following year. The W-League was initially composed of eight teams: Adelaide United, Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, and Sydney FC. Seven of the eight teams were affiliated with A-League clubs, and shared their names and colours to promote their brands. The eighth club was Canberra United.
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