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Draft:2025 New Zealand National League

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New Zealand National League
Season2025
2024
2026

The 2025 New Zealand Men's National League is the fifth scheduled season of the National League since its restructuring in 2021; the 2021 National League was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in northern regions.[1] 32 clubs compete in the competition, with four qualifying from the Northern League, three qualifying from the Central League and two qualifying from the Southern League for the National Championship phase.[2][3] Each team can field a maximum of four foreign players as well as one additional foreign player who has Oceania Football Confederation nationality.[4] Over the course of the season, each team must also ensure players aged 20 or under account for 10% of available playing minutes.[5]

Qualifying leagues

2025 Northern League

Northern League
Season2025
2024
2026

Northern League teams

Twelve teams are competing in the league – the top ten teams from the previous season, one team promoted from the NRFL Championship and Auckland FC Reserves. The promoted team is Fencibles United.[6] It is both Auckland FC Reserves's and Fencibles United's first season in the National League. They replaced Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers (both relegated after a four-year Northern League spell).

Team Home ground Location 2024 season
Auckland City Kiwitea Street Sandringham, Auckland 1st
Auckland FC Reserves TBD TBD, Auckland New entry
Auckland United Keith Hay Park Mount Roskill, Auckland 5th
Bay Olympic Olympic Park New Lynn, Auckland 6th
Birkenhead United Shepherds Park Beach Haven, Auckland 4th
East Coast Bays Bay City Park Northcross, Auckland 9th
Eastern Suburbs Madills Farm Kohimarama, Auckland 3rd
Fencibles United Gower Park Melville, Hamilton 1st in Championship (promoted)
Manurewa War Memorial Park Manurewa, Auckland 10th
Tauranga City Links Avenue Reserve Mount Maunganui 7th
West Coast Rangers Fred Taylor Park Whenuapai, Auckland 8th
Western Springs Seddon Fields Westmere, Auckland 2nd

Northern League personnel

Team Manager Captain
Auckland City Spain Albert Riera[7] New Zealand Cam Howieson[8]
Auckland FC Reserves
Auckland United England José Figueira[7] New Zealand Ross Haviland[9]
Bay Olympic Czech Republic Rudy Mozr[10] England Tom Boss[11]
Birkenhead United England Paul Hobson[7] New Zealand Luke Jorgensen[12]
East Coast Bays New Zealand Joe Hall[13] New Zealand Louie Caunter[14]
Eastern Suburbs New Zealand Michael Built[15] New Zealand Adam Thomas[16]
Fencibles United
Manurewa New Zealand Paul Marshall[17]
Tauranga City Barry Gardiner[18]
West Coast Rangers New Zealand Chad Coombes[19] Malaysia Dev Pokhrel[20]
Western Springs England Scott Hales[21] New Zealand Oscar Ramsay[22]

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Eastern Suburbs Republic of Ireland Brian Shelley (interim)[23] End of interim spell 27 November 2024 Pre-season New Zealand Michael Built[15] 27 November 2024

Northern League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Auckland City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Winner of Northern League and qualification to National League Championship
2 Auckland FC Reserves[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to National League Championship
3 Auckland United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Bay Olympic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Birkenhead United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 East Coast Bays 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Eastern Suburbs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Fencibles United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Manurewa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Tauranga City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 West Coast Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation to NRFL Championship
12 Western Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: NRF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[25]
Notes:
  1. ^ Auckland FC Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase due to the A-League Men requirements.[24]

Northern League results table

Home \ Away AKC AFC AKU BAY BIR ECB EAS FEN MRW TGA WCR WSP
Auckland City
Auckland FC Reserves
Auckland United
Bay Olympic
Birkenhead United
East Coast Bays
Eastern Suburbs
Fencibles United
Manurewa
Tauranga City
West Coast Rangers
Western Springs
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

2025 Central League

Central League
Season2025
2024
2026

Central League teams

Ten teams are competing in the league – the top nine teams from the previous season and the one team promoted from the 2024 play-off between the winners of the Central Federation League and the Capital Premier. The winner of the play-off was Upper Hutt City.[26] This is their first season in the Central League, since New Zealand football's restructuring in 2021. They replaced Stop Out (relegated to the Central Federation League after two seasons in the Central League).

Team Home ground Location 2024 season
Island Bay United Wakefield Park Island Bay, Wellington 8th
Miramar Rangers David Farrington Park Miramar, Wellington 4th
Napier City Rovers Bluewater Stadium Napier 3rd
North Wellington Alex Moore Park Johnsonville, Wellington 9th
Petone Memorial Park Petone, Lower Hutt 7th
Upper Hutt City Maidstone Park Maidstone, Upper Hutt 1st in Capital Premier (promoted via play-offs)
Waterside Karori Karori Park Karori, Wellington 6th
Wellington Olympic Wakefield Park Island Bay, Wellington 1st
Wellington Phoenix Reserves Fraser Park Taitā, Lower Hutt 5th
Western Suburbs Endeavour Park Porirua 2nd

Central League personnel

Team Manager[27] Captain
Island Bay United
Miramar Rangers New Zealand Kale Herbert[28] England Sam Mason-Smith
Napier City Rovers England Bill Robertson England Jim Hoyle[29]
North Wellington New Zealand Ryan Faithfull[30] Canada Gavin Hoy[31]
Petone New Zealand Ryan Edwards[32] New Zealand Hami Paranihi-Nuku
Upper Hutt City
Waterside Karori New Zealand Sam Morrissey[33] England Harry Fautley
Wellington Olympic New Zealand Rupert Kemeys Cook Islands Ben Mata[34]
Wellington Phoenix Reserves England Chris Greenacre New Zealand Isaac Hughes
Western Suburbs South Africa Alan Koch[35] Canada Malik Smith[35]

Central League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Island Bay United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Winner of Central League and qualification to National League Championship
2 Miramar Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to National League Championship
3 Napier City Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 North Wellington 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Petone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Upper Hutt City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Waterside Karori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Wellington Olympic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Wellington Phoenix Reserves[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to National League Championship
10 Western Suburbs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation to Capital Premier/Central Federation League
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: Capital Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[25]
Notes:
  1. ^ Wellington Phoenix Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase due to the A-League Men requirements.[2]

Central League results table

Home \ Away IBU MRA NCR NWT PET UHC WKA WOP WPX WES
Island Bay United
Miramar Rangers
Napier City Rovers
North Wellington
Petone
Upper Hutt City
Waterside Karori
Wellington Olympic
Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Western Suburbs
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

2025 Southern League

Southern League
Season2024
2024
2026

Southern League teams

Ten teams are competing in the league – the top nine teams from the previous season and the winner of the Southern League play-offs. The promoted team is Wanaka.[36] This is their first season in the Southern League. They replaced FC Twenty 11 (relegated after their second season in the Southern League).

Team Home ground Location 2024 season
Cashmere Technical Garrick Memorial Park Woolston, Christchurch 1st
Christchurch United Christchurch Football Centre Spreydon, Christchurch 3rd
Coastal Spirit Linfield Park Linwood, Christchurch 2nd
Dunedin City Royals Caledonian Ground Dunedin North, Dunedin 7th
Ferrymead Bays Ferrymead Park Ferrymead, Christchurch 5th
Nelson Suburbs Saxton Field Stoke, Nelson 4th
Nomads United Tulett Park Casebrook, Christchurch 6th
Selwyn United Foster Park Rolleston 8th
University of Canterbury English Park[A] St Albans, Christchurch 9th
Wanaka Queenstown Events Centre[B] Frankton, Queenstown 2nd in Southern Premier League (promoted via play-offs)

Southern League personnel

Team Manager Captain
Cashmere Technical England Dan Schwarz[37] England Tom Schwarz
Christchurch United New Zealand Ryan Edwards[38] New Zealand Joel Stevens[39]
Coastal Spirit New Zealand Robbie Stanton[40] New Zealand Joe Hoole
Dunedin City Royals New Zealand Blair Scoullar[41] New Zealand Jared Grove
Ferrymead Bays New Zealand Alan Walker[42] Republic of Ireland James Deehan
Nelson Suburbs Northern Ireland Ryan Stewart Australia Sam Ayers[43]
Nomads United New Zealand Matthew Jansen[44] New Zealand Caleb Cottom
Selwyn United New Zealand Chris Brown[45] New Zealand Jayden Booth
University of Canterbury
Wanaka United States Ben Sippola (joint)[46]
Netherlands Thomas van Hees (joint)

Managerial Changes

Note: Some cases use first/last match coached

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Dunedin City Royals New Zealand Richard Murray[47] Stepped Down 29 October 2024 Pre-season New Zealand Blair Scoullar[41] 31 October 2023

Southern League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Cashmere Technical 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Winner of Southern League and qualification to National League Championship
2 Christchurch United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to National League Championship
3 Coastal Spirit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Dunedin City Royals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Ferrymead Bays 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Nelson Suburbs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Nomads United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Selwyn United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 University of Canterbury 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Wanaka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegated to the FootballSouth Premier League/Mainland Premier League
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: Mainland Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[25]

Southern League results table

Home \ Away CAS CHU CSP DCR FMB NEL NOM SEL UCF WAN
Cashmere Technical
Christchurch United
Coastal Spirit
Dunedin City Royals
Ferrymead Bays
Nelson Suburbs
Nomads United
Selwyn United
University of Canterbury
Wanaka
First match(es) will be played: March 2025. Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Qualified clubs

There are 10 men's National League Championship qualifying spots (4 for the Northern League, 3 plus Wellington Phoenix Reserves for the Central League and 2 for the Southern League).[2]

2025 New Zealand National League is located in New Zealand
Wellington
Wellington
Location of clubs in New Zealand for the 2023 National League season
Location of clubs in Wellington Region for the 2024 National League season
Association Team Position in Regional League App (last) Previous best (last)
Northern League (4 berths) 1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Central League (3 berths) 1st
3rd
4th
Southern League (2 berths) 1st
2nd
Wellington Phoenix (automatic berth) Wellington Phoenix Reserves Automatic qualification 4th (2024) 5th (2024)

Championship phase

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Wellington Phoenix Reserves[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to Grand Final and Champions League group stage
2 Northern League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Northern League 2nd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Northern League 3rd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Northern League 4th place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Central League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Central League 2nd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Central League 3rd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Southern League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Southern League 2nd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: September 2025. Source: New Zealand Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals for; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record[25]
Notes:
  1. ^ Wellington Phoenix Reserves can not qualify for the Grand Final.[48]

Results table

Home \ Away AKC BIR CAS CSP EAS NCR WOP WPX WSP WES
Auckland City
Birkenhead United
Cashmere Technical
Coastal Spirit
Eastern Suburbs
Napier City Rovers
Wellington Olympic
Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Western Springs
Western Suburbs
First match(es) will be played: September 2025. Source: New Zealand Football
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 3, but then postponed and played between rounds 6 and 7, it is added to the standings for round 6.

Leader and Grand Final
Grand Final
First match(es) will be played on September 2025. Source: New Zealand Football

Notes

  1. ^ Ilam Fields doesn't met NZF Pitch Regulations
  2. ^ Wānaka Recreation Centre doesn't met NZF Pitch Regulations - Christchurch/Nelson flights unable to land at Wānaka Airport

References

  1. ^ "National League Championship cancelled, new interregional competition announced and Chatham Cup moved to 2022". New Zealand Football.
  2. ^ a b c "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. ^ "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Two National League clubs found to have breached foreign player regulations". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  5. ^ "National League regulations for U-20 players revised". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Title race goes to the wire in final round of Lotto NRFL Men's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Northern League clubs shuffle coaches and build partnerships for new season". friendsoffootball.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  8. ^ "VIDEO - Navy Blues in action in Qatar". Auckland City FC. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Double-round weekend will put pressure on Northern League sides". Friends of Football. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Mozr leaves Manukau United to take head coach role at Bay Olympic". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Bay Olympic see off Shore with surely one of the Northern League's fastest hat-tricks". friendsoffootball.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Bay Olympic v Birkenhead". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  13. ^ "About Us". East Coast Bays AFC. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  14. ^ "East Coast Bays AFC is excited to announce the following signings for the 2023 NRFL Season!!!". East Coast Bays AFC Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Long-serving Michael Built takes over as men's head coach at Eastern Suburbs". friendsoffootball.com. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Hamilton Wanderers v Eastern Suburbs". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Promoted Manurewa switch coaches at start of Northern League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Revamped Lotto NRFL Championship begins with new faces in the dugouts". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  19. ^ "West Coast Rangers confirm coaching appointments for return to Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Auckland City v West Coast Rangers". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Western Springs name Scott Hales as club's new head of men's football". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Western Springs v Takapuna". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Eastern Suburbs v Napier City Rovers". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  24. ^ "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d "National League Regulations 2023: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  26. ^ "RESULTS: The winners, scorers and tables from Saturday's top matches". friendsoffootballnz.com. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  27. ^ "2022 Central League Preview". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Kale Herbert to lead Miramar Rangers into new season after Scott Hales steps down". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  29. ^ "📢 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ✍️". Napier City Rovers Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Ryan Faithfull unveiled as Director of Football for North Wellington club". friendsoffootballnz.com. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  31. ^ "🚨Announcement 🚨". North Wellington FC Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Central League club Petone confirm coaching staff for new season". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Waterside Karori appoint new coach for next season's Central League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  34. ^ "✍🏽 Player Re-Signing Announcement". Wellington Olympic AFC Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  35. ^ a b "North Wellington 1-3 Western Suburbs (25 March 2023)". Capital Football. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Wanaka clinch promotion to Southern League after winning play-off series". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  37. ^ "Senior Men's". Cashmere Technical. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  38. ^ "Exciting News for Christchurch United". Christchurch United. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  39. ^ "JOEL STEVENS: "We'll have a lot of talented youngsters from Christchurch United in the next few years."". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  40. ^ "New Head Coach". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Head Coach 2025". Dunedin City Royals Instagram. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  42. ^ "BAYS BRINGS HOME THE WIN!". Ferrymead Bays Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  43. ^ "MEN'S PREMIERSHIP TEAM". Nelson Suburbs FC Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  44. ^ "PREMIER MENS". Nomads United FC. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  45. ^ "SUFC is pleased to announce that Chris Brown has agreed to take on the Head Coach role for the Stallions". Selwyn United Facebook. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  46. ^ "Seniors". Green Island AFC. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  47. ^ "Dunedin City Royals Announcement". Dunedin City Royals Instagram. Retrieved 5 December 2024.https://www.instagram.com/dunedincityroyalsfc/p/DBszlvvz52Y/
  48. ^ "National League Regulations 2022: Article 29". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

DEFAULTSORT:2025 New Zealand National League Category:2024–24 in New Zealand association football New Zealand Category:New Zealand National League seasons