NZ National League 2021

https://www.facebook.com/newzealandfootball/videos/843265193021885

Not sure if this embedding will work, but 10 National League teams set and ready to go (well, without a start date yet!)! Will be interesting for sure with new clubs (Auckland City, Auckland Utd, Eastern Suburbs, Birkenhead, Wests, Miramar, Olympic, Nix ressies, Cashmere & Selwyn). 

How do you expect the clubs from your region to go?

Can see Auckland clubs struggling big time as they’re approaching two months without training or playing matches. 

Think Olympic and Miramar have to be favourites, unless key players get taken to Australia by the Nix. Cashmere in with a chance too, agree that Auckland sides will struggle if and when they get to play.

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Another side effect of the new national league and no regional teams is that if your club isn't in it, what's the point of watching?

I've been a season ticket holder every year and have been to almost every Canterbury Utd match since its inception, however with my club team failing to make the national league, I won't be there to cheer on Cash Tech or Selwyn. 

I guess I need something else to fill in the weekends over summer.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city (genuine ?, maybe they do).

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city.

Avalon?

Feverish

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city.

Avalon?

 Not quite the same.

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city (genuine ?, maybe they do).

Rolleston is basically now an affordable housing ChCh dormitory town. Nappy valley. Plus I imagine a fair few of their players commute out from ChCh. It's about as regional as a Papakura.

coochiee

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city (genuine ?, maybe they do).

Rolleston is basically now an affordable housing ChCh dormitory town. Nappy valley. Plus I imagine a fair few of their players commute out from ChCh. It's about as regional as a Papakura.

That is true about Rolleston (and Lincoln), but they are a club named after a large, rural district, and I gather their large membership comes from all across that district. Probably sort of in between. 

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Wests perhaps? I know they're effectively just Ole Academy but it's half an hour out of main Wellington and in Porirua?

andrewvoerman

coochiee

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city (genuine ?, maybe they do).

Rolleston is basically now an affordable housing ChCh dormitory town. Nappy valley. Plus I imagine a fair few of their players commute out from ChCh. It's about as regional as a Papakura.

That is true about Rolleston (and Lincoln), but they are a club named after a large, rural district, and I gather their large membership comes from all across that district. Probably sort of in between. 

Yeah a likely demographic mix now. But I'd wager the local farm kids mostly bought up on rugby (aka Dan Carter), then with the popn explosion out there the last 15 odd years with lots of young urban background families arriving with parents more versed on the round ball code.

But semantics. The new NL unlike the old Handy Prem has no teams from Otago, Nelson, Hawkes Bay or Waikato. Yes the first two weren't in the Handy Prem last summer, but may have got the funds together to re-enter again. From memory some of their funding issues were blamed on the pandemic.

VimFuego

Another side effect of the new national league and no regional teams is that if your club isn't in it, what's the point of watching?

I've been a season ticket holder every year and have been to almost every Canterbury Utd match since its inception, however with my club team failing to make the national league, I won't be there to cheer on Cash Tech or Selwyn. 

I guess I need something else to fill in the weekends over summer.

 It does fracture the support as well as the playing personnel... I'll still be watching out of interest though. 

coochiee

andrewvoerman

coochiee

andrewvoerman

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Sadly, no regional teams there at all. All teams from the three big cities.

Would be interested to know whether the good folk of Selwyn United consider themselves to be from a big city (genuine ?, maybe they do).

Rolleston is basically now an affordable housing ChCh dormitory town. Nappy valley. Plus I imagine a fair few of their players commute out from ChCh. It's about as regional as a Papakura.

That is true about Rolleston (and Lincoln), but they are a club named after a large, rural district, and I gather their large membership comes from all across that district. Probably sort of in between. 

Yeah a likely demographic mix now. But I'd wager the local farm kids mostly bought up on rugby (aka Dan Carter), then with the popn explosion out there the last 15 odd years with lots of young urban background families arriving with parents more versed on the round ball code.

But semantics. The new NL unlike the old Handy Prem has no teams from Otago, Nelson, Hawkes Bay or Waikato. Yes the first two weren't in the Handy Prem last summer, but may have got the funds together to re-enter again. From memory some of their funding issues were blamed on the pandemic.

I don't know, I'm somewhat in the opposite camp and I like this halfway situation. Do I wish Nelson/Napier/HamWan/a Dunedin team had made it? Yes. But it was varyingly sustainable for those regions to be able to run a team every year and in all honesty, do they deserve to have a team every year based on their footballing contribution? I'm unsure. 

The current way it is, Nelson, Masterton, Napier, Hamilton, and Dunedin should get a team in some years, in the years that their team/teams are in best shape. The opportunity is still there - you just have to earn it on merit rather than through a selection process. And I like that. 

As a BOP person, I miss the days when Mt Maunganui, Gisborne City, Napier CR, etc were in the National league. The odds are massively stacked against the regions these days. Yes I know merit of getting in the top handful of the Northern or Central can't be argued with, but it is much harder for regional teams to get there.

Napier haven't been great the last couple of years, but finished 1st and 2nd in 2018 and 2019, and have managed to figure out every other iteration of the league structure over the years. I'm sure we'll see them and Wanderers/Melville make the national round soon enough. 

So looks like they’re rolling with two groups (or hubs) an Auckland group and a rest of NZ group. Probably gives the Auckland clubs a better chance now if they’re all playing each other to begin with and pick up form again. 

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/108768?newsfeedId=1275622

Disappointing but not really unexpected. Both mens and womens comps will have a round robin in two hubs (Auckland & non-Auckland). Then semifinals/finals will conjoin up from there (although womens is just a prelim final and a final). 

Feels like the rest of the country is being held up by the Auckland situation at the minute... still another month until the Central/Southern hub gets underway - my question is why? 

Not to mention that Auckland getting 2 finals spot from 4 for the National League is a bit of a joke... given some of the beatings Miramar and Cashmere have given them in the cup. 

Copied from New Zealand Facebook:

New Zealand Football have today confirmed the path forward to play the National League, Chatham Cup and Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup competitions following numerous delays to the season due to the current COVID-19 lockdown. 

The plan is designed to maximise the chance of playing and completing competitions without having to exclude teams from the Auckland region. Following a period of feedback, the chosen model was overwhelmingly supported by the clubs and federations involved. 

For the National League Championship, both the women’s and men’s leagues will be split into two hubs: one featuring Auckland teams (the Auckland Hub) and one featuring teams from the rest of the country (the South Hub). Teams will then compete within their hub in a single round robin competition before the top sides from each meet at the end of the season. In both women’s and men’s competitions, the South Hub is currently set to start the weekend of 6-7 November, with the Auckland Hub beginning 20-21 November. 

In the women’s competition, the Auckland Hub will feature three teams (Eastern Suburbs, Western Springs and Northern Rovers), with the South Hub featuring the remaining five sides from the league (Hamilton Wanderers, Central Football, Capital Football, Canterbury United Pride and Southern United). The winner of the South Hub will qualify for the Grand Final. The winner of the Auckland Hub will host a preliminary final against the runner-up in the South Hub for a place in the Grand Final. 

In the men’s competition, the Auckland Hub will feature four teams (Auckland City, Auckland United, Eastern Suburbs and Birkenhead United), with the South Hub featuring the remaining six from the league (Wellington Olympic, Miramar Rangers, Wellington Phoenix Reserves, Western Suburbs, Cashmere Technical and Selwyn United). The winner of each respective hub will host a semi-final against the runner-up in the opposite hub with the two winning teams progressing to the Grand Final. 

For both National League Championship competitions to take place the Auckland region must have returned to an Alert Level where full contact training is possible by 3 November. 

For the cup competitions, due to the few games left, New Zealand Football will look to be flexible with scheduling once play is possible. 

For the Chatham Cup, with Cashmere Technical already qualified for the final, the remaining semi-final, Miramar Rangers v North Shore United, will be scheduled once travel outside of the Auckland region is possible and a sufficient return to play period for North Shore United has been undertaken. 

For the Kate Sheppard Cup, due to players and clubs competing in cup and league competitions, both remaining semi-finals must be played before 31 October. New Zealand Football is actively working with Hamilton Wanderers ahead of their semi-final against Coastal Spirit to see if it is possible to play weekend of 16-17 October pending the Alert Level in the Waikato. 

Potential dates for the finals of both cup competitions will be scheduled once the viability of semi-finals is confirmed. Should it not be possible to complete the competitions by the end of the year, New Zealand Football will look to see if they can be completed in early 2022. 

Daniel Farrow, New Zealand Football General Manager, Football wanted to thank the football community for their help and flexibility in a challenging situation:

“We know the last few months have been hugely difficult for our football clubs, especially in the Auckland region. 

“With this plan we feel we have put forward a solution that allows competitions to continue but also crucially buys us time when Auckland teams may not be able to leave the region. 

“We know this is an evolving situation but I want to thank the football community for their help and input into this plan as well as their ability to work in an ever-changing landscape, as we have over the last few months.”

Article added: Friday 08 October 2021

 

How many seasons will SuperClub last for this time?  

Last time round you had teams from the BoP, Hawkes Bay, Otago, Manuawatu and Waikato, now it’s just 3 cities.

I feel that there’s very little buy-in for this new product and the national league will change yet again (sigh) within the next year or two.

Four seasons in total for the original 'Super Club' format the first 3 - 1993 to 1995 a full league - 8 teams - 3 from the Northern and Central and 2 from Southern, play-offs then a Grand Final and in the 1996 season just the winners of the three regional leagues in a play-off and no Grand Final.

Marto

How many seasons will SuperClub last for this time?  

Last time round you had teams from the BoP, Hawkes Bay, Otago, Manuawatu and Waikato, now it’s just 3 cities.

I feel that there’s very little buy-in for this new product and the national league will change yet again (sigh) within the next year or two.

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/109383?newsfeedId=1275622&fbclid=IwAR2JBlBAXHA_OXIMiPQnr2CfgW4ml93ZdadyaBCNn835quoDspF6ZShyviw

National League officially canned, "South Central Series" now the replacement competition that *effectively* decides the national champion. Not the way NZF would've wanted first season to end up but what can you do. 

Unless I'm wrong it seems the womens is just a home and away with no final?

You'd probably expect it to be between Pride and Central in the womens, and a 3 way race probably in mens. Don't give Nix ressies (especially after losing players to the seniors), Wests or Selwyn particularly much. 

lthomas20

You'd probably expect it to be between Pride and Central in the womens, and a 3 way race probably in mens. Don't give Nix ressies (especially after losing players to the seniors), Wests or Selwyn particularly much. 

Pride & Central? don't you mean Capital? Central again is a young squad and the fact they have players from New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Taradale & Wellington is probably going to make it hard from them to get many training sessions alltogether (if any)

Absolutely gutting, though obviously unavoidable.

But at least AKL/Waikato teams will be able to get together for training in the next week or two, if they want to stay in trim for next year

The JourneyFan

lthomas20

You'd probably expect it to be between Pride and Central in the womens, and a 3 way race probably in mens. Don't give Nix ressies (especially after losing players to the seniors), Wests or Selwyn particularly much. 

Pride & Central? don't you mean Capital? Central again is a young squad and the fact they have players from New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Taradale & Wellington is probably going to make it hard from them to get many training sessions alltogether (if any)

Yep dunno how I wrote that wrong lol. 

South- Central Men's and Women's comps:
For those in Christchurch wanting to attend matches at English Park, please note the spectator requirements.
You can't just turn up to watch a game in the men's comp.
You must reserve  a place before matchday with one of the participating clubs.
To contact Cashmere Technical:  [email protected]
Selwyn United: [email protected]
Women's comp. (Pride matches):
Crowd limit of 200 in two bubbles of 100.
No need to pre-register for a place.
But it's first come, first served - arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Details here:
https://www.mainlandfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/109463?newsfeedId=1329617&fbclid=IwAR1FjXObn2IJtFmuWDCRRFUXP1GEP7W_jrplS4wW4zwmBdXrwHMp9iv8ZBY
Relevant info:
"There will be a three bubble system where the first bubble is reserved for the players and their friends and family and will be located on the pitch and in the Steve Sumner Stand. The two other bubbles will consist of 100 people and will be open to the general public. These bubbles will be distanced throughout English Park. 
The Friends and Family bubble will only enter and exit through the main English Park entrance.
Bubble number two will only enter and exit through the Sheppard Place entrance closest to the garage. Bubble number three will only enter and exit through the Sheppard Place entrance through the small car park. 

For men's national league matches, you will need to contact each club to reserve a spot in the bubbles.

There will be FREE entry to English Park, and spectators will be allowed to bring any non-alcoholic beverages and food that they wish. Portaloos will be provided for spectators in the general public bubbles as they will not have access to the English Park facilities. 

You must scan or sign in to English Park, keep your distance from others you don’t know, and we recommend the use of face masks.

For Canterbury United Pride matches, the two bubbles open to the general public will operate on a first-in-first-served basis and will be capped at 100 for each bubble (200 spectators total).

Again, entrance only at Sheppard Place."

Nearly all matches in the South-Central comps (men's and women's) are streaming live on the Sky Sport Next YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SkySportNext/featured
They will also be available on demand there as well.
A very limited number of matches will supposedly be broadcast on Sky Sport.
Full league draw men (play eachother once - six teams):
https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=64a79796-7cc3-4caa-b7ef-8ccc1950cfdf
Full league draw women (home and away - four teams):
https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=4fbb3450-7eab-49f3-a664-82029e3ec4d9

In the Womens comp. Southern United beat Canterbury Pride 2-1. This result will make for a very interesting mini comp, with home and away matches for all 4 teams. Capital looked good in the 2-0 win over Central, and play the Pride at home next week.

Ranix

In the Womens comp. Southern United beat Canterbury Pride 2-1. This result will make for a very interesting mini comp, with home and away matches for all 4 teams. Capital looked good in the 2-0 win over Central, and play the Pride at home next week.

Southern looked great, so happy! Pulled off a real shock. Makes the title race very interesting. 

Olympic beat Nix ressies today 4-2. Pretty even game until about 15m to go where Olympic went up 3-2. 

Nix threw their toys out the cot and resorted to kicking as many players off the ball as they could, resulting in one of them being given their marching orders. They were lucky to finish the game with 10 after a couple of other off the ball incidents and late tackles. Olympic weren’t saints either but ref really let the game get out of hand. 

Surprised at Greenacre too, guys a bit of a knob on the sideline, didn’t think he’d be like that. 

Full credit to southern altho pride missing a large number of key players due to International Selection/College Football and injury whereas Southern pretty much same plus or minus a few. Really can’t compare apples to apples in this new Southern series compared to a  NWL competition. Great for all teams to have a kick around of sorts. Will be a diff story next season hopefully when players return and hopefully covid restrictions lifted.  

Last season Nix reserves had 5 reds and were by far the worst disciplined team in the comp, so not surprised to hear they are back to their old ways. 

With Wests also having someone sent off yesterday it is not a great look for those academy sides.

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

VimFuego

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

 There's a pretty obvious reason for that...

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

 There's a pretty obvious reason for that...

Ok you might have to explain that for someone who doesn’t see the obvious reason… 

VimFuego

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

 There's a pretty obvious reason for that...

Ok you might have to explain that for someone who doesn’t see the obvious reason… 

They're glorified friendlies. They're important as they ensure the players who can get matches, especially those who are young and on development pathways, but they're not going to attract media coverage.

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

 There's a pretty obvious reason for that...

Ok you might have to explain that for someone who doesn’t see the obvious reason… 

They're glorified friendlies. They're important as they ensure the players who can get matches, especially those who are young and on development pathways, but they're not going to attract media coverage.

Yet rugby's NPC, which is in the same boat (ie no Auckland \ Waikato teams) and several of those games being "actual" friendlies continues to get plenty of media coverage..........

The JourneyFan

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

andrewvoerman

VimFuego

Was there no reports on the national league in the media this week? Nothing in The Press this morning and can't see anything on Stuff...

 There's a pretty obvious reason for that...

Ok you might have to explain that for someone who doesn’t see the obvious reason… 

They're glorified friendlies. They're important as they ensure the players who can get matches, especially those who are young and on development pathways, but they're not going to attract media coverage.

Yet rugby's NPC, which is in the same boat (ie no Auckland \ Waikato teams) and several of those games being "actual" friendlies continues to get plenty of media coverage..........

Exactly - but we know football is too Auckland-centric for anyone to recognise that 🙄