Sydney FC will give their south coast Members an early taste of what to expect this season with the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League squads to take part in the South Coast Football Challenge, at WIN Stadium Wollongong in Friday 18 September.

The Challenge will see Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League team play a curtain raiser against the Illawarra Stingrays (kick off 5:15pm) before Head Coach Graham Arnold’s men take on the Wellington Phoenix (kick off 7:45pm), with the Hyundai A-League season, at that point, only one month away.

The South Coast Football Challenge will also be the first opportunity for Members and fans to see international marquee Filip Holosko and Milos Ninkovic in action on home soil, while for Westfield W-League Head Coach Daniel Barrett it will be his first chance to cast his eyes over his squad in a match situation.

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold said he was looking forward to further testing his squad against fellow Hyundai A-League opposition during preseason.

“We are looking forward to giving our South Coast fans a chance to see us in Wollongong,” he said.

“Wellington proved last season what a strong team they are having reached the Finals stages, and they will provide an excellent test for us at the right time in pre-season.

“We always get a fabulous support in Wollongong and I’m hoping as many football fans can get out and support both our Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League teams on the 18th.”

Stuart Barnes, General Manager for WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres said the South Coast Football Challenge is a prime opportunity for the people of the South Coast to experience the quality of men’s and women’s professional football.

“It is exciting for Venues NSW to be hosting the inaugural ‘South Coast Football Challenge’ at WIN Stadium,” he said.

“This year, we welcome back A League teams Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in the men’s challenge and Sydney FC’s W League team and the Illawarra Stingrays in the women’s challenge.

“Once again this game offers the chance for the people of the Illawarra and southern Sydney to enjoy, first-hand, the skills of the ‘best in Football’ and for WIN Stadium to again prove its worth as a home of elite Football.”

Football South Coast CEO Ann-Marie Balliana said is looking forward to the two games.

“It's fantastic to see Wollongong is a regular host of some top class football. It's particularly exciting to see the inaugural South Coast Football Challenge with a fixture showcasing women's football and our Illawarra Stingrays,” she said.

“This is another great opportunity for local football fans to enjoy a great night of football.”

Sydney FC Members will be given an exclusive pre-sale period for tickets and a 10% discount for pre-purchasing from Tuesday 25 August. Tickets will be available for the general public on Friday 28 August, 10am via ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100.

Sydney FC Memberships are now on sale for the Hyundai A-League season 2015/16. Click HERE to become part of the Sky Blues family