NRFL Leagues (outside Northern League Prem)

First round of games is the 25th of March - Pre-season has been strange to say the least with results, I think we will need a couple of weeks of league games to know what is going on and who is strong and who is, well less strong.

(as it stands all games are 3pm kickoffs)

Northern Rovers vs Onehunga Mangere - McFetridge
North Shore vs Mt Albert Ponsonby - Allen Hill
Tauranga City vs Hibiscus Coast - Links
East Coast Bays vs Ngaruawahia - Bay City
Fencibles vs Metro - Riverhills
Ellerslie vs Waiheke - Michaels Ave

let the guessing begin!

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

 is that Easter Monday?  rough trip to make on a long weekend, at least it's the opposite direction of most traffic.

Is there still no word who will fill the last slot in Div 2 North? I.e. whether Central are allowed to exist in the same league as ACFC or not?

chopah

First round of games is the 25th of March - Pre-season has been strange to say the least with results, I think we will need a couple of weeks of league games to know what is going on and who is strong and who is, well less strong.

(as it stands all games are 3pm kickoffs)

Northern Rovers vs Onehunga Mangere - McFetridge
North Shore vs Mt Albert Ponsonby - Allen Hill
Tauranga City vs Hibiscus Coast - Links
East Coast Bays vs Ngaruawahia - Bay City
Fencibles vs Metro - Riverhills
Ellerslie vs Waiheke - Michaels Ave

let the guessing begin!

Rovers
Shore
Tauranga
Bays
Metro
Draw

Yes, hopefully it will be an enjoyable ride home for the boys. 

chopah

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

 is that Easter Monday?  rough trip to make on a long weekend, at least it's the opposite direction of most traffic.

Doloras

Is there still no word who will fill the last slot in Div 2 North? I.e. whether Central are allowed to exist in the same league as ACFC or not?

Technically they won't be Northern League Championship is a NZF competiton (National League) whereas the rest of the leagues are Northern Football ones

The JourneyFan

Doloras

Is there still no word who will fill the last slot in Div 2 North? I.e. whether Central are allowed to exist in the same league as ACFC or not?

Technically they won't be Northern League Championship is a NZF competiton (National League) whereas the rest of the leagues are Northern Football ones

yeah but it's the same league structure - so I think this is the basis of the hold up, Papatoetoe appealed I think.

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

Where will Tauranga's home games be played? Their main pitch looked pretty awful when I drove past it yesterday.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

Where will Tauranga's home games be played? Their main pitch looked pretty awful when I drove past it yesterday.

Links 2 will be ready for the start of the season we have been told, the number 1 pitch has had a major upgrade not before time! but the wet summer has meant delays it was supposed to be ready for the start, unfortunately it looks a good month away at least. 

TexasRed

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

Where will Tauranga's home games be played? Their main pitch looked pretty awful when I drove past it yesterday.

Links 2 will be ready for the start of the season we have been told, the number 1 pitch has had a major upgrade not before time! but the wet summer has meant delays it was supposed to be ready for the start, unfortunately it looks a good month away at least. 

I thought Links 2 was going turf?  is that still the plan?

chopah

TexasRed

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

Where will Tauranga's home games be played? Their main pitch looked pretty awful when I drove past it yesterday.

Links 2 will be ready for the start of the season we have been told, the number 1 pitch has had a major upgrade not before time! but the wet summer has meant delays it was supposed to be ready for the start, unfortunately it looks a good month away at least. 

I thought Links 2 was going turf?  is that still the plan?

Somewhere in the future that is plan, not sure on the timescale though. those decisions are above my pay grade unfortunately. 

chopah

TexasRed

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

TexasRed

Tauranga start with 3 games at home as Ngaruawahai have asked for the round 2 game to be switched as they have pitch issues, Hopefully it helps us get off to a good start before our first trip to the big smoke to play Ellerslie for round 4.

Where will Tauranga's home games be played? Their main pitch looked pretty awful when I drove past it yesterday.

Links 2 will be ready for the start of the season we have been told, the number 1 pitch has had a major upgrade not before time! but the wet summer has meant delays it was supposed to be ready for the start, unfortunately it looks a good month away at least. 

I thought Links 2 was going turf?  is that still the plan?

Tauranga's 1st home game of the season against Hibiscus Coast will be played at Ocean Downs Reserve, Unfortunately Links 2 needs another week of preparation, hopefully we should be back at 'home' for round 2.

Went. to Hibiscus v North Shore at stanmore Bay.Strong wind blowing down the ground made football difficult although both very limited sides so may not have made a lot of difference.
HBC went 1-0 up with a goal that NSU were unhappy about but my view was obscured by the AR .but then NSU then equalised with a goal from a free kick from about 40 yards out - keeper didn't do well but defenders should also have done better. 1-1 at half time
A few chances to both sides in the second half.
Dakwa got a straight red (think he already had a yellow) with about 10 to go. Was not a malicious tackle but a potentail leg breaker,
Draw probably a fair result
Officiating was average but so were the players.
Can't see either side being better tham mid table at best.
Jason Hicks still looks a tidy player - wasting his time at this level

Doloras

Is there still no word who will fill the last slot in Div 2 North? I.e. whether Central are allowed to exist in the same league as ACFC or not?

They've been allowed in as of today's social media statements.

Pathetic decision imo.

Reading the Sports Tribunal's decision, the ACFC/Central MOU states:

"CUFC [Central] will allow ACFC to take its place indefinitely in the NRFL so
that ACFC can compete in the NRF’s Level One regional and championship
phase. CUFC may gain entry into the NRFL if appropriate and agreed between
the parties and allowed by NRF and NZF in the future."

Given that wording, it's no wonder the Sports Tribunal found in favour of the Two-Headed Monster from Sandringham. It basically says that Central can get promoted unless there's a good reason not to, and the Tribunal found "other clubs getting annoyed" wasn't a good reason. The MOU should have explicitly barred Central from playing in the NRFL. 

This is a terrible outcome for the game, but an inevitable one given the wording on the MOU. There has to be some kind of pressure put on ACFC and Central to officially merge (which would have the benefit of giving ACFC a women's team, albeit one in the second tier)

The problem isn't the wording of the MOU, that is between ACFC and CU, the issue lay in Northern Football regulations.  Whilst their intent is clear "5.1. The NRFL Competitions are open to one team per club across all divisions. E.g. a club may not have a team across multiple divisions", that does not prevent multiple "clubs" registering with Incorporated Societies Register, having the same secretary, same contact address, same contact details, same sponsors etc

It does not Northerns argument when the Northern Football Club Directory lists both Auckland City and Central United (https://www.nrf.org.nz/Clubs-1/Club-Directory).

It also does not help Northerns argument when NZF allow both Auckland City and Central into the Chatham Cup which also has a one team per club rule.

If Northern and/or NZF wanted to do anything about it they would have to add clauses to their rules that prevent individuals holding roles at two or more clubs, homegrown player rules, higher club affiliation fees etc

reubee

The problem isn't the wording of the MOU, that is between ACFC and CU, the issue lay in Northern Football regulations.  Whilst their intent is clear "5.1. The NRFL Competitions are open to one team per club across all divisions. E.g. a club may not have a team across multiple divisions", that does not prevent multiple "clubs" registering with Incorporated Societies Register, having the same secretary, same contact address, same contact details, same sponsors etc

It does not Northerns argument when the Northern Football Club Directory lists both Auckland City and Central United (https://www.nrf.org.nz/Clubs-1/Club-Directory).

It also does not help Northerns argument when NZF allow both Auckland City and Central into the Chatham Cup which also has a one team per club rule.

If Northern and/or NZF wanted to do anything about it they would have to add clauses to their rules that prevent individuals holding roles at two or more clubs, homegrown player rules, higher club affiliation fees etc

The issue for me is that that ACFC need centrals junior/youth teams to be eligible to play in the NRFL, but I believe that centrals junior and youth teams can be used by anyone (via an MOU) but only once, so either for Central or for ACFC but not both.  This is not isolated to Central/ACFC but it is how I believe MOU's should be restricted going forward.

Went to HBC v MAP at a very windy Stanmore Bay this avo.
1st versus 3rd
2-1 to HBC was final score
HBC scored in first few minutes - cross from the right wing and a well timed run and finish by Lewis cartwright.
MAP largely dominated from then but HBC increased their lead from the penalty spoy by Tyler Agiovlasstis.Not sure what it was for but probably hand ball. Didnt seem much complaint by MAP
Second half very even and MAP scored from a corner with about 20 to go.HBC held with a few scares.
So HBC at least second after todays round.Quite surprised but they are well organised and have plenty of spirit.
Very impressed by young HBC keeper Precious.
Game finished close to 5pm and getting quite dark

HBC (1) v Ngaruawahia (0) at Stanmore Bay.
Very windy
Even game but HBC slightly better
Goal from Trent Mayes header from corner in the second half
Chances at both ends from then on
Narra a handy side and will win more than they lose
Things got a best testy in the last 10 minutes and a bit of a fracas at the final whistle.Game was well officiated in my view
With NSU losing HBC now top .
Big question for me is what has happened to the ice cream van at Stanmore Bay. A constant presence for a long time but not sighted this season

chubbs

HBC (1) v Ngaruawahia (0) at Stanmore Bay.
Very windy
Even game but HBC slightly better
Goal from Trent Mayes header from corner in the second half
Chances at both ends from then on
Narra a handy side and will win more than they lose
Things got a best testy in the last 10 minutes and a bit of a fracas at the final whistle.Game was well officiated in my view
With NSU losing HBC now top .
Big question for me is what has happened to the ice cream van at Stanmore Bay. A constant presence for a long time but not sighted this season

assume you meant with ECB losing HBC now top.

Ellerslie 2 v Hibiscus Coast 1 at a very very windy Stanmore Bay, Ellerslie up 2-0 at half time against the run of play. Coast scored with about 20 to go and then laid seige to the Ellerslie goal thereafter but couldn't finish. Perhaps an unfair result for HBC but they have had a few the other way and things tend to even themselves out over the season
Interesting to see Adam Dickinson back for HBC. Scored one and should have had a few more. Really good at using his body with his back to goal and bringing other players into play. HBC had to change their pattern a little as they had not been playing with a traditional number 9 .Not sure if it is the right thing for them.Time will tell.
No ice cream truck although it might have got blown away.
Be interested in chopahs take on the game

chubbs

Ellerslie 2 v Hibiscus Coast 1 at a very very windy Stanmore Bay, Ellerslie up 2-0 at half time against the run of play. Coast scored with about 20 to go and then laid seige to the Ellerslie goal thereafter but couldn't finish. Perhaps an unfair result for HBC but they have had a few the other way and things tend to even themselves out over the season
Interesting to see Adam Dickinson back for HBC. Scored one and should have had a few more. Really good at using his body with his back to goal and bringing other players into play. HBC had to change their pattern a little as they had not been playing with a traditional number 9 .Not sure if it is the right thing for them.Time will tell.
No ice cream truck although it might have got blown away.
Be interested in chopahs take on the game

you pretty much nailed it.

Hibiscus (5) v Waiheke (0) at Stanmore Bay
Hat Trick to Trent Mayes
No one seems to have put together a run in this league and anyone down to Ellerslie in 7th must still fancy their chances.
HBC look to be struggling numbers wise. Sad to see waiheke sinking back down the leagues after their meteoric rise. I know many didn't like their reliance on foreign players (ie vineyard workers) but their fans added a lot of colour to some pretty drab local parks.
Bit of a fracas at the final whistle - not sure what it was all about

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

LFCNZ

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

If it's anything like the support for Gaelic games in Auckland, most of the sporting Irish community went home during COVID and playing numbers haven't recovered

LFCNZ

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

Probably good news - all I know about their time was them turning up and then alienated all the Sunday league teams that were connected to Mt Wellington (which brought fees and alcohol).

What happened with the planned big developments in the area? Last I heard the council was hoping to work with Mt Wellington before Bohs took over.

20 Legend

LFCNZ

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

Probably good news - all I know about their time was them turning up and then alienated all the Sunday league teams that were connected to Mt Wellington (which brought fees and alcohol).

What happened with the planned big developments in the area? Last I heard the council was hoping to work with Mt Wellington before Bohs took over.

technically they can't go back to a previous name from what I'm told so it will have to be something like Mt Wellington FC.

Also being super technical since they are actually playing in an NRF league this should be in a community football thread - lol.

chopah

20 Legend

LFCNZ

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

Probably good news - all I know about their time was them turning up and then alienated all the Sunday league teams that were connected to Mt Wellington (which brought fees and alcohol).

What happened with the planned big developments in the area? Last I heard the council was hoping to work with Mt Wellington before Bohs took over.

technically they can't go back to a previous name from what I'm told so it will have to be something like Mt Wellington FC.

Also being super technical since they are actually playing in an NRF league this should be in a community football thread - lol.

Why not? they are the club which took over the original Mt Wellington name etc when they merged or is that not the case?

Western Suburbs in Wellington did it when as Porirua Viard United they merged with Mana United (1992) and reverted back to the Western Suburbs name that the club had been know by until 1974 (well besides starting life as Mental Hospital FC)

The JourneyFan

chopah

20 Legend

LFCNZ

Unimount are looking to revert back to Mt Wellington AFC, personally I'm keen for them to do it.

I believe most still involved with the club from University are ok with it.

Not sure re the Bohemian support base.

Probably good news - all I know about their time was them turning up and then alienated all the Sunday league teams that were connected to Mt Wellington (which brought fees and alcohol).

What happened with the planned big developments in the area? Last I heard the council was hoping to work with Mt Wellington before Bohs took over.

technically they can't go back to a previous name from what I'm told so it will have to be something like Mt Wellington FC.

Also being super technical since they are actually playing in an NRF league this should be in a community football thread - lol.

Why not? they are the club which took over the original Mt Wellington name etc when they merged or is that not the case?

Western Suburbs in Wellington did it when as Porirua Viard United they merged with Mana United (1992) and reverted back to the Western Suburbs name that the club had been know by until 1974 (well besides starting life as Mental Hospital FC)

I was just told they couldn't use Mt Wellington AFC - something about one of the mergers not being done correctly so there is some red tape.

The NL forum is down (perhaps a good thing) so just kicking off some topics on here.

NRFL Championship Teams for 2024 (in alphabetic order)
Ellerslie AFC
Fencibles Utd
Franklin Utd
Hibiscus Coast AFC
Manukau Utd
Metro FC
Mt Albert Ponsonby AFC
Ngaruawahia Utd
North Shore Utd
Northern Rovers FC
Onehunga Mangere Utd
Takapuna AFC

Round 1 match ups (23.03.24)
Mt Albert Ponsonby vs Manukau Utd @ Anderson Park - 3pm
Northern Rovers vs Ellerslie AFC @ McFetridge Park - 3pm
North Shore vs Metro FC @ Allen Hill Stadium - 3pm
Takapuna vs Onehunga Mangere @ Taharoto Park - 3pm
Franklin Utd vs Hibiscus Coast @ Bledisloe Park - 5pm
Fencibles Utd vs Ngaruawahia Utd @ Riverhills (new turf) - 7:30pm

Three home games on the shore all in close proximity while Fencibles start their campaign on their new turf punishing Ngaruawahia with a evening kickoff as do promoted Franklin with a 5pm game out south.  Relegated Manukau get a tough first up game at Anderson Park while Takapuna get to host Paul Marshall's 2nd coming at OM.

NRFL Northern Conference Teams for 2024 (in Alphabetic order)
Albany Utd
Beachlands Maraetai
Bucklands Beach
Northland FC
Oratia Utd
Te Atatu
Waiheke Utd
Waitemata FC

Round 1 match ups (30.03.24)
Oratia Utd vs Waitemata @ Parrs Park - 3pm (29th March)
Te Atatu vs Beachlands Maraetai @ Te Atatu Peninsula Park - 3pm
Northland FC vs Albany Utd @ Baysport Waipapa - 3pm
Waiheke Utd vs Bucklands Beach @ Onetangi Sports Complex - 3pm

A Westie derby to open the season for Northern Conference on Good Friday while promoted Te Atatu get a home game.  Waiheke and Bucklands Beach face off in the Ferry derby (Fullers vs Sealink).

NRFL Southern Conference Teams for 2024
Cambridge FC
Claudelands Rovers
Papamoa FC
Ngongotaha Lakes
Otumoetai AFC
Taupo AFC
Te Awamutu AFC
Waikato Unicol AFC

Round 1 match ups (30.03.24)
Te Awamutu vs Otumoetai AFC @ The Stadium, Te Awamutu - 3pm (29th March)
Taupo AFC vs Claudelands Rovers @ Crown Park - 3pm
Cambridge FC vs Ngongotaha Lakes @ John Kerkhof Park - 3pm
Papamoa FC vs Waikato Unicol @ LINKS AVE - 3pm

Te Awamutu host the season opener on Good Friday in the "The Stadium" while Papamoa due to the loss of their fields due to upgrades are hosted by Tauranga City at Links Ave as they face losing Conference playoff finalists Waikato Unicol.

A question of a foreigner on New Zealand lower level women's football. 

NRF Women's Conference - Is there any relegation to lower divisions? (4th level). And are there any new teams in comparison with last year? I cannot find the 2023 final table. 

WaiBOP W-League - there are two new teams Taupo AFC and Cambridge FC - Did these team promote? Or simply get a wildcard to join the league. Is there any promotion-relegation from the bottom of this league?

Hope anyone can help me, since New Zealand regulations are a maze for me. 

wf

A question of a foreigner on New Zealand lower level women's football. 

NRF Women's Conference - Is there any relegation to lower divisions? (4th level). And are there any new teams in comparison with last year? I cannot find the 2023 final table. 

WaiBOP W-League - there are two new teams Taupo AFC and Cambridge FC - Did these team promote? Or simply get a wildcard to join the league. Is there any promotion-relegation from the bottom of this league?

Hope anyone can help me, since New Zealand regulations are a maze for me. 

I can answer the first question: the NRF women's competition is a full pyramid with demotion from the Conference to Div 1.

In that case which team did relegate last year and which teams were promoted? Wikipedia states no relegation/promotion

image.png 36.39 KB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_football_league_system

Does this mean that both Taupi AFC & Cambridge FC were promoted? If so, was there a play-off or so? Since there are 4 divisions under.

Here are the full promotion/relegation regulations for the NRF Women's Conference:



Note the bolded terms in 6.7. I can't find last year's Conference table myself, but it is very possible that no-one was demoted because no-one from Div 1 wanted or was capable of being promoted. (I can't find confirmation that you have to be a club's first team to be in the Conference, but it sounds sensible to me.)

Thanks very much for the rules, it is indeed very difficult to find information. For now I could find back Te Atatu AFC looked to be relegated, since they played against NRFL Championship teams last season on their social media.

For others I could find confirmation they played in NRF Conference.

For Northland FC, Papakura City and Buckland Beach AFC I cannot find where they came from. Did they promote from a lower division or were they just added to the competition. So I have added them as P?

image.png 20.68 KB

Very disappointing historical tables are nowhere to be found. 

wf

Thanks very much for the rules, it is indeed very difficult to find information. For now I could find back Te Atatu AFC looked to be relegated, since they played against NRFL Championship teams last season on their social media.

For others I could find confirmation they played in NRF Conference.

For Northland FC, Papakura City and Buckland Beach AFC I cannot find where they came from. Did they promote from a lower division or were they just added to the competition. So I have added them as P?

image.png 20.68 KB

Very disappointing historical tables are nowhere to be found. 

Have a look at this site - not always the easiest to navigate but has all the info
https://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/Northern/id25.htm
and if you can't find exactly what you are looking for contact Jeremy that runs the site and he'll be able to point you in the right direction

Deleted

Thanks for that THE JOURNEYFAN - I have mailed.