Talk about taking the #NPLWNSW season by storm and you think Sydney University’s Rola Badawiya. Talk about the signing of the season, you think Rola Badawiya.

Sydney University striker Rola Badawiya has had the perfect first season in the NPL NSW Women’s competition, winning the Premiership with her team and coming in second in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals.

How did Uni find such a gem though? Well, a bit of luck and a water polo playing partner!

“My partner plays on the Sydney Uni Men’s Water Polo Team and reached out to the Women’s Football team for me. I sent them a few clips, and they liked what they saw,” Badawiya said.

“I found that this was the perfect opportunity to get my foot in the door to potentially sign an A-League Women’s contract.”

After not scoring in the first eight rounds and finding her feet in the competition, Badawiya exploded onto the scene after scoring her first against the Illawarra Stingrays.

The potent striker went on to score 13 goals in the next 15 matches, a fantastic return, helping lead Uni to the Premiership.

“I have really enjoyed my time in the NPL NSW Women’s competition. The girls at Sydney Uni have been so welcoming, kind, and supportive and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to play with in my first season here,” Badawiya said.

“The quality of this competition has been great. Playing with and against A-League players makes the league very competitive and I like that.”

After already claiming their first piece of silverware, Badawiya believes her team can add another Championship to the already rich Uni trophy cabinet.

“This team can most definitely win the championship! The determination, heart, and class this team has shown is second to none,” said Badawiya.

Uni’s top scorer goes on to commend head coach Emily Husband who Badawiya believes is the driving force behind the club’s success.

“There’s a reason why we have been so successful this year. There are so many hours of work behind the scenes that Coach Emily puts into this program and the numbers speak for themselves!”

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder