Fiorina Iaria has been named the 2026 NPLW Victoria Rising Star, capping a journey that has taken her from Shepparton to the top of the Victorian game.
The Preston Lions forward has been recognised as the competition’s standout young player after a season that continued her rapid rise through the Victorian football pathway.
The speedy winger was caught by surprise when she found out she had been named the recipient of the award with so many talented young stars competing for the honour.
“I was shocked to win,” Iaria said.
“There are so many potential great winners. I am friends with so many of them, I would have been happy with any of them winning.”
Iaria joins a growing list of NPLW Victoria Rising Star winners who have gone on to make their mark at the highest levels of the game.
Introduced in 2016, the award was first won by Melina Ayres, with Adriana Taranto following in 2017. Both were later named in the NPLW Team of the Decade, with Taranto and 2018 winner Jacynta Galabadaarachchi also going on to make their Matildas debuts in 2025.
Maja Markovski, the 2019 recipient, later claimed both the NPLW Victoria Golden Boot and Gold Medal in 2024. Now, it’s Iaria’s turn to write the next chapter.
Following being named in the 2025 NPLW Victoria Team of the Season, the accolade is another milestone in a journey that began back home in Shepparton.
“I started when I was younger with the SJSA, which is more like local teams,” Iaria said.
“I played for my primary school and then there was like a SAP program for the GV Suns that I started playing in.
“From there I played with the GV Suns through to U16s.”
Her progression through the GV Suns eventually opened the door to the NTC program/ FV Academy but making that next step required plenty of commitment.
While still living in Shepparton, Iaria was travelling to Melbourne for multiple training sessions each week while continuing to train locally.
“Before I moved, I was only making two or three nights a week, and then I would have to train in Shepparton with the GV Suns,” she said.
“It was difficult to be fully committed, but obviously making the move, it was much easier.”
Iaria eventually made the move to Melbourne in February 2025, continuing her development with the FV Academy before earning an opportunity with Melbourne Victory’s A-League squad for the 2025/26 season.
She has since continued her journey in NPLW Victoria with Melbourne Victory and Preston Lions, and now the 19-year-old can add the 2026 Rising Star Award to her list of achievements.
The Rising Star award is a major achievement, but for Iaria, the focus is already turning to the next challenge.
“The immediate goal is to make the A-League for the upcoming season. That’s the dream,” she said.
“In the NPLW for 2027, I hope to push for the Golden Boot. There were a lot of goals that I missed this year that I should have just scored.
“Next season, just any chance I get, I just go to score.
“I want to make the Team of the Season again, and the Gold Medal is another ambition if I can have a year like Dani (Butrus) did last year.”