Even if this is just for Chatham Cup games, this is great news for the game in this part of the world. Marketed correctly, it should be used as an opportunity to get bumper crowds to English Park; with showcase matches - womens, youth - on the undercard.
There is a month stand down for any player going from a professional to amateur status.
Rules around playing in the Chatham Cup have changed in resent years, you no longer have to have played two games before running out on the Cup.
Pertinent rules are:
7.4 Club player eligibility
7.4.1 In all matches of this competition, each player, except where he has played for his club during the previous season and has not played in any match for any other club in New Zealand during the current season, must have been registered with his club for ten business days prior to the playing of any match in the competition.
7.4.2 All players competing in matches in the competition which are played on or after 30 June must be registered members of their respective clubs as at 30 June of that year (and must continue to be registered members of that club on the date of the match). Any players transferring to or registering with the club after 30 June are not eligible to participate in the competition.