Shouldn't post before having coffee, as upon checking my emails I was slightly wrong above (and have now deleted)
The A-League Men reserves teams are allowed
In Northern League/Central League...
– Some number (possibly any number) of scholarship players, though I'm not clear if that includes over-21 scholarship playsers (Gillion, Piper, Toomey – can't recall off top of my head if there are any others). I had gone back to NZF seeking clarity on this without receiving a reply as yet. Obviously they have been busy in recent weeks.
– Up to three full professionals, provided they are New Zealanders aged under-21 (Hughes, the Kelly-Healds, Sheridan – not that I'd expect to see any of them playing Central League this year)
In the National League Championship, they are also allowed...
– Up to two full professionals, with no nationality/age restrictions
Below is verbatim what NZ Football sent me
Up to three (3) players with professional status (but not including scholarship players) who hold New Zealand citizenship and are under the age of 21 on or after 1 January immediately prior to the relevant National League season at all stages of the competition AND up to an additional two (2) players with professional status (but not including scholarship players) during the Championship Phase of the Competition only. For the avoidance of doubt these players are from the Licensee’s A-League roster and may change from time to time, provided the maximum numbers of these players at all times stay as described in this clause.
The A-League Men reserves teams are allowed
In Northern League/Central League...
– Some number (possibly any number) of scholarship players, though I'm not clear if that includes over-21 scholarship playsers (Gillion, Piper, Toomey – can't recall off top of my head if there are any others). I had gone back to NZF seeking clarity on this without receiving a reply as yet. Obviously they have been busy in recent weeks.
– Up to three full professionals, provided they are New Zealanders aged under-21 (Hughes, the Kelly-Healds, Sheridan – not that I'd expect to see any of them playing Central League this year)
In the National League Championship, they are also allowed...
– Up to two full professionals, with no nationality/age restrictions
Below is verbatim what NZ Football sent me
Up to three (3) players with professional status (but not including scholarship players) who hold New Zealand citizenship and are under the age of 21 on or after 1 January immediately prior to the relevant National League season at all stages of the competition AND up to an additional two (2) players with professional status (but not including scholarship players) during the Championship Phase of the Competition only. For the avoidance of doubt these players are from the Licensee’s A-League roster and may change from time to time, provided the maximum numbers of these players at all times stay as described in this clause.