So, now that the season is over, what do you think will happen to the National League? I personally hope that the system remains the same but the number of teams is expanded to 12, assuming there are two clubs/franchises with financial capability that can put togheter a competitive side (looking at you Hamilton Wanderers).
NZ Football have already locked in a 10 team league for two more seasons, 2018-19 and 2019-20.
See below, from last April's competitions review document.
"New Zealand Football is committed to expanding the national league but the expansion must be financially viable. In view of this, New Zealand will maintain the 10-team national league competition structure until 2020 and until the financial implications of an extended competition are better understood, the regulatory reforms to establish a single season are established and the competition framework is aligned.
During this period, if a current national league participant fails to meet club licensing requirements, or voluntarily withdraws from the competition, New Zealand Football will seek a replacement to maintain both the 10-team competition structure and the league’s current geographic representation. Aspiring clubs wishing to enter the league will need to register their interest by May each year during the club licensing application process, meet the required club licensing criteria and standards and qualify through on-field performance by being the highest-placed aspiring club from the relevant regional league.
Reviewing and exploring a suitable model and mechanism for on-going entry and exit into the national league beyond 2020 will be a priority. The alignment of the competition framework must come first and is fundamental to the success of any on-going entry and exit mechanism. It’s critical that the mechanism allows adequate time for clubs to prepare for entry and provides a pathway for those clubs exiting the national league. This means that clubs will be restricted from having teams participating in both national league and regional league premier competitions.
Reviewing regional entities and maintaining geographic representation will be a key consideration. Investment to support the financial sustainability of clubs entering and exiting the national league will also be considered.
Following this initial transformation phase, and subject to the financial stability of the league and its participating clubs, New Zealand Football will provide an opportunity to expand the national league as follows:
• Preferred option: extend the existing 10-team competition structure to three full rounds with open promotion and relegation with regional leagues by March 2020; OR
• Alternative option: if the preferred option is unviable, provide an opportunity to expand the competition structure to a maximum of 12 teams as a means of extending the competition to better integrate the league within the competitions framework by March 2020.New Zealand Football will also explore the potential re- alignment of its national cups competitions – Chatham Cup and Women’s Knockout Cup - and the integration ofnational league clubs to further extend the national league competition window.
Clubs wishing to enter the national league will need to register their interest by May 2020 and every May thereafter, meet the required club licensing criteria and standards and qualify through on-field performance. The mechanism for entry and exit will determine how on-field performance is measured in 2020, however the introduction of a play-off series between regional league winners will be explored."