Western United is gearing up for another massive season in its Academy with the 2025 season set to kick off this weekend.
The Junior Academy teams will take centre stage at Ironbark Fields as they take on Brimbank Stallions to start to the season at home.
As has been the case in the last two years, the juniors will play 11 games in the pre-qualification phase against fellow opposition from the west of Victoria, including North Geelong Warriors, Ballarat City FC, Caroline Springs George Cross and Green Gully.
Follow the fixtures of all six Western United Academy teams in 2025
Andreas Papanicolaou has also been putting his senior team through its paces in pre-season training, bringing together a new-look group that is ready to attack the season.
With eight players from last season’s squad signing scholarship contracts in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men squad, there is a new crop of youngsters that will be eager to impress.
Their first opportunity to do so will be against FC Bulleen Lions on Monday 10 February before a massive first home fixture the following week.
Serving as a curtain-raiser to the Isuzu UTE A-League match against Auckland FC, United will face Kingston City at Ironbark Fields on Saturday 15 February.
That is one of two double headers with the first team, the other coming on Saturday 5 April with the Academy facing Eastern Lions before a top flight clash against Perth Glory.
Trips to Brunswick City and Bentleigh Greens either side of a home clash against relegated Manningham United round out the opening five fixtures of the campaign.
The first mini derby of the season comes on Sunday 30 March against Melbourne City while clashes against fellow westies North Sunshine Eagles and Caroline Springs George Cross will also be games to look out for.
Everything is set for another riveting season with United seeking again to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Victoria.
Last season, the Green and Black scored a staggering 78 goals in 26 matches, an average of three strikes per game and more goals than any other senior team in the top three divisions of Victorian football.
Western fans, mark your calendars and make sure you get behind the next generation at Ironbark Fields this season.
Full Western United VPL 1 Men Fixture
| ROUND | DATE | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | VENUE | KICK-OFF TIME |
| 1 | Monday, 10 February | FC Bulleen Lions | Western United | Veneto Club – David Barro Stadium | 8:30pm |
| 2 | Saturday, 15 February | Western United | Kingston City | Ironbark Fields | 3:00pm |
| 3 | Friday, 21 February | Brunswick City | Western United | Dunstan Reserve | 7:30pm |
| 4 | Sunday, 2 March | Western United | Manningham United | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 5 | Friday, 7 March | Bentleigh Greens | Western United | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex | 8:30pm |
| 6 | Sunday, 16 March | Western United | Northcote City | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 7 | Friday, 21 March | Moreland City | Western United | CB Smith Reserve | 8:30pm |
| 8 | Sunday, 30 March | Western United | Melbourne City | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 9 | Saturday, 5 April | Western United | Eastern Lions | Ironbark Fields | 2:00pm |
| 10 | Sunday, 13 April | Western United | FC Melbourne Srbija | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 11 | Saturday, 26 April | North Sunshine Eagles | Western United | Larissa Reserve | 3:00pm |
| 12 | Saturday, 3 May | Langwarrin SC | Western United | Lawton Park Reserve | 5:30pm |
| 13 | Sunday, 11 May | Western United | Caroline Springs George Cross | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 14 | Sunday, 18 May | Western United | FC Bulleen Lions | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 15 | Monday, 26 May | Kingston City | Western United | The Grange Reserve | 8:30pm |
| 16 | Sunday, 1 June | Western United | Brunswick City | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 17 | Saturday, 7 June | Manningham United | Western United | Pettys Reserve | 4:00pm |
| 18 | Sunday, 15 June | Western United | Bentleigh Greens | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 19 | Friday, 20 June | Northcote City | Western United | John Cain Memorial Park | 8:30pm |
| 20 | Sunday, 29 June | Western United | Moreland City | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 21 | Saturday, 5 July | Melbourne City | Western United | Casey Fields | 3:00pm |
| 22 | Saturday, 19 July | Eastern Lions | Western United | Gardiners Creek Reserve | 12:15pm |
| 23 | Saturday, 26 July | FC Melbourne Srbija | Western United | Kevin Bartlett Reserve | 6:30pm |
| 24 | Sunday, 3 August | Western United | North Sunshine Eagles | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 25 | Sunday, 17 August | Western United | Langwarrin SC | Ironbark Fields | 4:00pm |
| 26 | Sunday, 24 August | Caroline Springs George Cross | Western United | City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field | 3:00pm |
