Been that way since NZF published the season calendar the beginning of the year, a consequence of mens league now having 11 teams (11 rounds) with introduction of Auckland FC reserves.
Been that way since NZF published the season calendar the beginning of the year, a consequence of mens league now having 11 teams (11 rounds) with introduction of Auckland FC reserves.
This is definitely a good thing - double headers don't work ESP when you need to allow time for ET and Pens... They haven't figured it out for the Kate Sheppard and Chatham Cups but at least by default we get it in the National Leagues. Now if there could be a 'home' final for the winner of the round robin - that would be gold - and fair reward for the top of the table too!
Been that way since NZF published the season calendar the beginning of the year, a consequence of mens league now having 11 teams (11 rounds) with introduction of Auckland FC reserves.
This is definitely a good thing - double headers don't work ESP when you need to allow time for ET and Pens... They haven't figured it out for the Kate Sheppard and Chatham Cups but at least by default we get it in the National Leagues. Now if there could be a 'home' final for the winner of the round robin - that would be gold - and fair reward for the top of the table too!
while I understand the sentiment of course - the reality is some participants home grounds are not suitable for a final, and seeing as a venue for a final will have to be booked ages in advance for just logistics it's not really realistic for NZF to keep 4 or 5 venues on the hook for 5 or so weeks. perhaps as a compromise three regional final venues (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) would be a happy middle ground - still challenging for NZF though.
Catch up on what you need to know ahead of the new National League season from the only website that's out here in the trenches giving the kiwi leagues the depth of coverage they deservehttps://t.co/0J2d9fFTDn
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 24, 2025
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
We will probably hear from this next ghost writers article how she has turned down Arsenal
Founder
Law is one of those professions where (insidiously some might say) your career hierarchical pathway is very clearly mapped out early on. Put in the large hours as a junior, and maybe in 10 years you are a partner, where the big bucks are. A very much delayed rewards sort of career, chipping away at your hefty student loan in the interim, increasing your billable hours so that the partners take notice.
Not really a profession where you can take 6 months out to play football, and ask your work mates to manage your files in those 6 months. Similar trying to be part time 20 hours a week or something. You likely only get offered those flexible hours when you are more senior and/or a mum (if female).
Contenders - West Coast Rangers, Eastern Suburbs, Wellington United
Outsiders - Western Springs, Southern United
Lower mid-table - Canterbury Utd, Petone, Phoenix reserves
Last again - Central
At a glance
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
We will probably hear from this next ghost writers article how she has turned down Arsenal
You denying that she has bossed the league or just bitter it wasn't for WKAFC?
If she was playing for Karori I'm sure she would have already broken into the professional leagues right?
Whether she gets a pro offer or not, no one can deny her success at this level.
Queenslander 3x a year.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
We will probably hear from this next ghost writers article how she has turned down Arsenal
You denying that she has bossed the league or just bitter it wasn't for WKAFC?
If she was playing for Karori I'm sure she would have already broken into the professional leagues right?
Whether she gets a pro offer or not, no one can deny her success at this level.
If you have half a clue about things you’d know I was referring to her dad writing all these articles
Founder
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
We will probably hear from this next ghost writers article how she has turned down Arsenal
You denying that she has bossed the league or just bitter it wasn't for WKAFC?
If she was playing for Karori I'm sure she would have already broken into the professional leagues right?
Whether she gets a pro offer or not, no one can deny her success at this level.
If you have half a clue about things you’d know I was referring to her dad writing all these articles
Does it matter who wrote it? He seems like a decent enough bloke who is very supportive of his daughter's career choice and success on the footy field.
Your comment suggested that some of what was written was fabricated of at least blown out of proportion, which sounds like sour grapes.
Queenslander 3x a year.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/25/nat-olson-the-35-goal-wellington-united-striker-determined-to-stay-grounded/
“Currently, I’m really enjoying the relationship I have with my football and am definitely open to seeing what else I can achieve here or overseas if given the opportunity.”
We will probably hear from this next ghost writers article how she has turned down Arsenal
You denying that she has bossed the league or just bitter it wasn't for WKAFC?
If she was playing for Karori I'm sure she would have already broken into the professional leagues right?
Whether she gets a pro offer or not, no one can deny her success at this level.
If you have half a clue about things you’d know I was referring to her dad writing all these articles
Does it matter who wrote it? He seems like a decent enough bloke who is very supportive of his daughter's career choice and success on the footy field.
Your comment suggested that some of what was written was fabricated of at least blown out of proportion, which sounds like sour grapes.
You need to get dome better takes lad
Founder
As the 2025 women’s National League season prepares to get underway, most of the participating teams have shared their squads.
WCR was on the attack, lost the ball at Petone goalbox and a through ball with Bacon behind the defence but in her own half, set her up for a 1-on-1 with the keeper that she finished.
Edit: And we have Emma Humphries and Jess Fuller stepping in to coach while Callum Holmes is in Papeete.
From what I could tell this was pretty much our U18s playing - along with Des Fountain the commentary name-checked Sienna Candy, Maisy McDonald, Kya Solomon and Dorothy Yek, and we had Harriett Muller in goal. So unsurprising it was tough to be up against a side like Southern United, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Southern go against Wellington United at Newtown Park next Sunday.
NZF web site only has final score.
NZF web site only has final score.
Not a website but the app Tribe does. It sometime has live information too but if not, not too long after games finish it will have the lineups, goal scorers and cards
https://www.tribesportsapp.com/
NZF web site only has final score.
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/matchcentre/2025/2727622162/2728051229
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/matchcentre/2025/2727622162/2728051227
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/matchcentre/2025/2727622162/2728051228
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/matchcentre/2025/2727622162/2728051226
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/matchcentre/2025/2727622162/2728051230
Some junior developer will be having to put a patch through on Monday
I only just realised that we had a double-header against Southern today, with our U18 girls having played theirs at 12:30 in the National Youth League. With so many of our regular U18s from the WCL filling in for the Reserves, there are a quite a few new names in the U18 side we put up: we must've been stretched pretty thin though because three of our players (Sienna Candy, Anahera Easton and Olivia Goodwin) featured in both games for varying numbers of minutes.
NZF web site only has final score.
Goal scorers. Not lineups.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/28/catching-up-after-the-weekend-here-are-the-top-results-and-all-on-one-page-85/
Renee Bacon + High Defensive Line = Trouble #NZNationalLeague @PetoneFC pic.twitter.com/uVpqdeNZhM
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 29, 2025
Two goals and an assist for Eastern Suburbs' Fijian international Cema Nasau, always love seeing Oceania players thrive in the kiwi leagues 🤝#nznationalleague @ESAFC pic.twitter.com/8bZ4Ww78rS
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 29, 2025
The #NZNationalLeague is back and as glorious as ever:
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 29, 2025
👉 Western Springs & Wellington United came out swinging
👉 Southern United kept it business as usual
👉 Huge wins for Auckland United & Eastern Suburbs
👉 And a thrilling upset victory for Petonehttps://t.co/xK10Ly5O0t
Maddi Ollington, pick your spot 🎯 #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/0YQfEI6YYV
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 29, 2025
I only just realised that we had a double-header against Southern today, with our U18 girls having played theirs at 12:30 in the National Youth League. With so many of our regular U18s from the WCL filling in for the Reserves, there are a quite a few new names in the U18 side we put up: we must've been stretched pretty thin though because three of our players (Sienna Candy, Anahera Easton and Olivia Goodwin) featured in both games for varying numbers of minutes.
I think the coding issue was more due to the fact they had Mens and Womens side by side. I see they have corrected it today so that Mens and Womens vertically stacked and so the width is now sufficient for the Match Centre link to appear.
I only just realised that we had a double-header against Southern today, with our U18 girls having played theirs at 12:30 in the National Youth League. With so many of our regular U18s from the WCL filling in for the Reserves, there are a quite a few new names in the U18 side we put up: we must've been stretched pretty thin though because three of our players (Sienna Candy, Anahera Easton and Olivia Goodwin) featured in both games for varying numbers of minutes.
I think the coding issue was more due to the fact they had Mens and Womens side by side. I see they have corrected it today so that Mens and Womens vertically stacked and so the width is now sufficient for the Match Centre link to appear.
Pride vs Springs - Gotta fancy Springs after the first round results, can Canterbury at least keep it competitive? Have to improve on last week
Wellington Utd vs Southern - Good game as both generally regarded as decent teams but little room for error in this league, especially for Wellington Utd who lost their opener.
WCR vs Central - Home win.
Phoenix Reserves vs Petone - Hard to pick. Nix have some oceania absences but their u18s finished above Petone in the league. Petone very impressive in Rd 1 though.
Final result was Phoenix 2 - Petone 0 with Kya Solomon and Isabella Temple our goal scorers. Solomon’s goal was particularly entertaining - she’d been racing around since the start, but this time when she got the ball she just ran and ran until she was past all the Petone defenders then tucked it home.
Pride vs Springs - Gotta fancy Springs after the first round results, can Canterbury at least keep it competitive? Have to improve on last week
Wellington Utd vs Southern - Good game as both generally regarded as decent teams but little room for error in this league, especially for Wellington Utd who lost their opener.
WCR vs Central - Home win.
Phoenix Reserves vs Petone - Hard to pick. Nix have some oceania absences but their u18s finished above Petone in the league. Petone very impressive in Rd 1 though.
Sometimes it comes down to availability of flights? You often get a lot of NL games between the Saturday and Sunday for that particular reason.
it's a shame that teams have to run to the airport without having a chance to socialise afterwards.
Southern's keeper had a blinder of a second half to keep it 1-1.
Queenslander 3x a year.
it's a shame that teams have to run to the airport without having a chance to socialise afterwards.
Southern's keeper had a blinder of a second half to keep it 1-1.
This is absolute garbage by NZF - they want these athletes to perform at their best but compromise the product by doing stupid shark like this. We had a similar experience in Christchurch where NZF put cost, live stream, etc all ahead of the needs of the athlete.
it's a shame that teams have to run to the airport without having a chance to socialise afterwards.
Southern's keeper had a blinder of a second half to keep it 1-1.
I guess flight availability and it is school holidays which increase prices can limit options
it's a shame that teams have to run to the airport without having a chance to socialise afterwards.
Southern's keeper had a blinder of a second half to keep it 1-1.
