Strikers administrators believe the rebranded club has the infrastructure and financial stability to warrant inclusion into the NPL, following Football Federation Victoria’s release of its final criteria and structure.

Strikers development coach Laura Brady said the club has formed a working party with the Ballarat District Soccer Association to work through the requirements.

“We’ve got the coaches to meet the licences – the qualifications aren’t really a problem for us,” she said.

“Financially, they’re (Football Federation Victoria) talking about the licence being $10,000 (including player fees), so the finance thing isn’t really a concern. “Ideally, we want a major sponsor and we want (sponsorship) security for more than one year.”

Central to inclusion into the Women’s NPL is the ability of a club to field senior, under-18, 15 and 13 line-ups.

However, the under-13 team may not be mandatory for the first year.

The Strikers, currently playing women’s state league one, are fielding only a senior and reserves outfit after electing to forgo an under-16 team for 2015.

Brady said the BDSA would be crucial to helping the club bolster its junior ranks.

“They (the BDSA) are exceptionally supportive,” she said.

“Coming under the BDSA (banner) 

and having that relationship will improve our chances of getting junior teams.

“Whatever we set will be representative of the Ballarat soccer community.”

FFV will allocate only eight licences for the maiden year of competition, but Brady understands the governing body has a preference to allow at least one regional club a chance.

“There’s no regional side higher than us in any league (and) there’s no regional teams currently in the women’s premier league,” she said.

“If you ignore last season, our track record is pretty stable.”

The application process will open in June, with successful clubs to be announced in late August.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au