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Association football, also known as football and previously known as soccer, is a popular recreational sport in New Zealand. The sport is administered in New Zealand by the governing body New Zealand Football (NZF). This is a list of association football clubs that play in the top leagues in New Zealand and Australia.

Administration

New Zealand is divided up into six regional federations that help in the administration and promotion of the sport in New Zealand:

A-League

Team Location Home ground
Wellington Phoenix Wellington Sky Stadium

The Wellington Phoenix is managed under New Zealand Football itself rather than one of the federations. The only professional football club in New Zealand,[1][2][3] the Wellington Phoenix play in the Australian A-League.[4][5]

New Zealand National League

The New Zealand National League is the top men's football league in the New Zealand league system. Founded in 2021, the New Zealand National League is the successor to the New Zealand Football Championship. The league will be contested by ten teams, with teams qualifying from their regional leagues. Four teams will qualify from the Northern League, three qualify from the Central League, two qualify from the newly formed Southern League and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves are given an automatic spot each year.[6][7][8]

The regional leagues runs from March through to September, with varying number of games in each region. The Championship phase runs after the completion of the regional leagues with each team playing each other once, followed by a grand final. Each season, two clubs gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region.

Regional competition

Premier winter club competitions is divided into three regional leagues:

Alphabetically

The divisions are correct for the 2023 season and the levels are stated as per the New Zealand football league system.

Key

Key to divisional change
New Club
Club was promoted to a higher Level
Club was transferred between divisions at the same Level
Club resigned or was demoted to a lower Level
Club was relegated to a lower Level


A

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
AFC Bohemian Celtic Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN Celtics
Al-Huda Otago Division 3 6 Promoted from Otago Division 4
Albany United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Reds Relegated from NRFL Division 1
Auckland City Northern League 2 Navy Blues
Auckland United Northern League 2

B

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Balclutha Southland Division 1 4 Promoted from Otago Division 2
Bay Olympic Northern League 2 Olympic
Beachlands Maraetai NRFL Northern Conference 4 Beachlands
Blenheim Valley Sports Marlborough Division 1 5 Valley
Birkenhead United Northern League 2 Birko
Brooklyn Northern United Capital 1 4 BNU
Bream Bay United Northland Division 1 6
Bucklands Beach NRFL Northern Conference 4 Bucklands
Burnham Mainland Division 7 11 Relegated from Mainland Division 4
Burwood Mainland Premier League 3

C

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Cambridge NRFL Southern Conference 4 Reds
Carterton Wairarapa 1/2 8/9
Cashmere Technical Southern League 2
Central Marlborough Division 1 5
Central Brown Northland Division 4 9 Relegated from Northland Division 3
Central United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Central Promoted from NRF Championship
Christchurch United Southern League 2 Rams
Claudelands Rovers NRFL Southern Conference 4 Rovers
Clendon United NRF Division 5 10 Promoted from NRF South Division 6
Clevedon NRF South Division 10 15
Coastal Spirit Southern League 2
Colo Boys Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN New Club

D

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Dannevirke Manawatu Division 2 7 Promoted from Manawatu Division 3
Douglas Villa Capital 2 5
Durie Hill Whanganui Championship 5
Drury United NRF Division 5 10 Relegated from NRF Division 4

E

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
East Coast Bays NRFL Championship 3 Bays
Eastern Suburbs Northern League 2 Lilywhites
Ellerslie NRFL Championship 3 Ponies
Eltham Taranaki Division 1 6 Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
Eskview United Hawkes Bay Division 2 5 Promoted from Hawkes Bay Division 3

F

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
FC Nelson Nelson Premier Division 1 5
FC Twenty 11 Southern League 2 Promoted from Mainland Premier League
FC Western Taranaki Premiership 4
FC Whangarei Northland Division 1 6
Featherston United Wairarapa 1/2 8/9
Feilding United Horizons Premiership 4
Fencibles United NRFL Championship 3
Ferrymead Bays Southern League 2 Bays
Franklin United NRFL Northern Conference 4


G

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Geraldine South Canterbury Division 2 5
Gisborne Bohemians Gisborne Eastern 2 5 Relegated from Gisborne Eastern 1
Gisborne Thistle Central Federation League 3 Thistle
Gisborne United Gisborne Eastern 1 4
Golden Bay Nelson Division 2 6
Gore Wanderers Southland Division 1 4
Grants Braes Otago Division 1 4 Promoted from Otago Division 4
Green Island Southern League 2
Greenhithe NRF Harbour Division 6 11 Relegated from NRF Division 5
Greytown Capital 3 6 Promoted from Capital 4

H

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Halswell United Mainland Premier League 3 Hawks
Hamilton Wanderers Northern League 2 Wanderers
Hastings Hibernian Hawkes Bay Division 3 6 Relegated from Hawkes Bay Division 2
Havelock North Wanderers Pacific Premiership 4 Wanderers Relegated from Central League
Hāwera Taranaki Premiership 4
Hibiscus Coast NRFL Championship 3 Coast Promoted from NRFL Division 2
High School Old Boys Gisborne Division 2 5 New Club
High School Old Boys Mainland Division 4 8 Promoted from Mainland Division 6
Hornby United Mainland Division 3 7
Horowhenua Coastal Capital 1 4 New Club
Huntly Thistle Waikato Division 2 7 Thistle
Hurunui Rangers Mainland Division 9 13

I

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Independiente Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Inglewood Taranaki Championship 5
Internationale Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Island Bay United Capital Premier 3 Sharks

K

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Kaikohe Northland Division 2 7
Kaitaia United Northland Division 2 7
Kaitake Taranaki Championship 5
Kapiti Coast United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8 KCU Relegated from Capital 1
Kamo Northland Division 2 7 Relegated from Northland Division 1
Kaponga Taranaki Division 1 6
Katikati Bay League Division 1 6
Kawerau Bay League Division 1 6
Kerikeri Northland Division 1 6

L

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Levin Horizons Premiership 4 Relegated from Central Federation League
Linton Horizons Championship 4 Relegated from Horizons Premiership
Lower Hutt City Capital Premier 3 Yellows
Lynn-Avon United NRF Central Division 6 11 Resigned from NRF Championship

M

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Madhatters Northland Division 1 6
Manakau United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Manawatu Plunderers Manawatu Division 3 8
Mangawhai Northland Division 1 6 Promoted from Northland Division 2
Mangere United NRF Division 3 8 Promoted from NRF Division 4
Manukau United Northern League 2
Manurewa Northern League 2 Rewa Promoted from NRFL Division 1
Mapua Rangers Nelson Division 3 7 Rangers
Marewa United Hawkes Bay Division 3 6
Martinborough Wairarapa 3 10 Relegated from Wairaraoa 2
Masterton Wairarapa 1/2 8/9 Relegated from Capital 4
Massey University Manawatu Division 1 6 Massey Resigned from Central Federation League
Matamata Swifts WaiBOP League One 5 Swifts Promoted from WaiBOP Championship
Maycenvale United Pacific Premiership 4
Melville United Northern League 2
Metro NRFL Championship 3
Methven Mainland Division 2 6
Mid Canterbury United Mainland Division 1 5 Relegated from Mainland Premier League
Miramar Rangers Central League 2 Rangers
Morrinsville Waikato Division 2 7 Promoted from Waikato Division 3
Mosgiel Southern Premiership 3 Plainsmen Relegated from Southern League
Motueka Nelson Premiership Division 1 5
Moturoa Taranaki Premiership 4 Reds
Mt Albert Ponsonby NRFL Championship 3

N

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Naenae SC Capital 3 6
Napier City Rovers Central League 2 Rovers
Napier Marist Pacific Premiership 4 Relegated from Central Federation League
Napier South Hawkes Bay Division 3 6 Relegated from Hawkes Bay Division 2
Nelson Suburbs Southern League 2 Suburbs
New Plymouth Rangers Taranaki Premiership 4 Rangers
Ngatapa Gisborne Eastern 2 5
Ngaruawahia United NRFL Championship 3 Green Machine Promoted from NRFL Division 2
Ngongotahā Lakes NRFL Southern Conference 4 Villagers Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Ngunguru Northland Division 1 6
Nomads United Southern League 2 Nomads
North End Manawatu Division 1 6 Resigned from Central Federation League
North Shore United NRFL Championship 3 Shore Relegated from Northern League
North Wellington Central League 2
Northern FootballSouth Premier League 3 Northern
Northern Hearts FootballSouth Premier League 3 Hearts
Northern United Waikato Division 1 6
Northern Rovers NRFL Championship 3 Rovers
Northern Wairoa Northland Division 2 7
Northland NRFL Northern Conference 4

O

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Old Boys Southland Division 1 4 Reds
Onehunga Sports NRF Central Division 8 13 Sports
Onehunga-Mangere United NRFL Championship 3 OM
Onerahi Northland Division 1 6
Oratia United NRFL Northern Conference 4 Tia
Otago University FootballSouth Premier League 3 Varsity
Ōtākaro Mainland Football 17th Grade - CDL[a] DL[b] New Club[c]
Otaki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Otahuhu United NRF Division 4 9 Promoted from NRF Division 5
Otorohanga WaiBOP League One 5 Promoted from Waikato Division 2
Otumoetai NRFL Southern Conference 4 Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Oxford Mainland Division 4 8 Promoted from Mainland Division 8

P

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Paekākāriki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8
Pahiatua Manawatu Division 3 8
Paihia Northland Division 2 7 Promoted from Northland Division 3
Palmerston North Marist Central Federation League 3 Marist
Palmerston North United Central Federation League 3 New Club
Papakura City NRF League One 5
Papamoa NRFL Southern Conference 4 Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Papanui-Redwood Mainland Division 5 9
Papatoetoe NRF League One 5 Reds
Papatoetoe United NRF South Division 6 11
Parklands United Mainland Premier League 3
Peringa United Taranaki Premiership 4
Petone Central League 2 Settlers
Picton Marlborough Division 1 5
Plains Rangers Bay League Division 2 7
Pleasant Point South Canterbury Division 2 5
Porirua City Wellington 1 8 Promoted from Wellington 2
Port Hill United Pacific Premiership 4
Pukekohe NRF Division 4 9 Relegated from NRF Division 3
Putaruru Rangers Waikato Division 4 9 Rangers

Q

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Queens Park FootballSouth Premier League 3 Park
Queenstown Rovers FootballSouth Premier League 3 Rovers

R

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Rangers Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Ranui Swanson NRF League One 5
Rapa Nui Auckland Sunday Leagues SUN
Red Sox Manawatu Manawatu Division 1 6
Richmond Athletic Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Rivercity Whanganui Championship 5 Chiefs
Roslyn-Wakari FootballSouth Premier League 3
RNZ Navy NRF Division 4 9 Relegated from NRF Division 3

S

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Seatoun Capital Premier 3 Toon
Selwyn United Southern League 2
Shockers Gisborne Eastern 2 5
South Auckland Rangers NRF League One 5 Rangers
Southend United Southland Division 1 4
Sperm Whales Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN Spunkies
St Albans Shirley Mainland Division 2 6
Stokes Valley Capital 2 5
Stop Out Central League 2 Promoted from Capital Premier
Stratford Taranaki Division 2 7 Relegated from Taranaki Division 1

T

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Tahuna Nelson Premier Division 1 5
Takapuna Northern League 2 Taka
Takaro Horizons Premiership 4
Taradale Central Federation League 3 Promoted from Pacific Premiership
Taupo NRFL Southern Conference 4 Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Tauranga City NRFL Championship 3 The Blues
Tawa Capital Premier 3
Te Atatu NRF League One 5
Te Awamutu NRFL Southern Conference 4 Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Te Anau Southland Division 1 4
Te Puke United Bay League 1 6 Relegated from NRF Championship
Temuka United South Canterbury Division 2 5
Thames Waikato Division 2 7 Promoted from Waikato Division 2
Tikipunga Northland Division 1 6
Thistle FC Southland Division 1 4 Thistle
Thistle AFC South Canterbury Division 1 4 Thistle
Tokoroa WaiBOP League One 5 Promoted from Waikato Championship
Trojans Marlborough Division 1 5
Tuakau NRF South Division 5 10 Promoted from NRF South Division 6

U

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Uni-Mount Bohemian NRF League One 5 Uni-Mount
University of Auckland Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN
Universities Mainland Premier League 3
Upper Hutt City Capital Premier 3

V

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Victoria University Capital 1 4 Vic Uni

W

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Waiheke United NRFL Championship 3 Islanders Relegated from Northern League
Waihi Waikato Division 2 7
Waihopai Southland Division 1 4
Waikanae Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 1 8 Resigned from Capital 2
Waikato Unicol NRFL Southern Conference 4 Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Waimakariri United Mainland Premier League 3 Waimak
Wainui Gisborne Eastern 1 4
Wainuiomata Capital Premier 3
Wairarapa United Women's 1 4[d] Rapa
Wairoa Athletic Gisborne Eastern 1 4 Promoted from Gisborne Eastern 2
Waitara Taranaki Division 1 6 Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
Waitemata NRFL Northern Conference 3 Relegated from NRFL Division 1
Waiuku NRF Division 5 10 Blue Army Relegated from NRF Division 4
Wakefield Nelson Division 2 6
Wanaka FootballSouth Premier League 3
Warkworth NRF Division 5b 10
Waterside Karori Central League 2 Wharfies
Wellington Marist Capital 2 5 Marist
Wellington Olympic Central League 2 Greeks
Wellington Phoenix Reserves Central League 2 Nix
Wellington United Capital 3 6 Diamonds Relegated from Central League
West Auckland NRFL Northern Conference 4
West Coast Rangers Northern League 3 Rangers Promoted from NRFL Division 1
West End South Canterbury Division 1 4
West Hamilton United WaiBOP League One 5
Western Mainland Premier League 3 Dub
Western Rangers Pacific Premiership 4
Western Springs Northern League 2 Springs
Western Suburbs Central League 2 Wests
Whakatane Town Bay League Division 1 6
Wanganui Athletic Central League 3 Promoted from Central Federation League
Wanganui City Horizons Premiership 4
Wanganui Marist Whanganui Championship 5
Winton Southland Division 1 4
Woodleigh Taranaki Championship 5 Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
Wyndham Town Southland Division 2 5

Z

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Zamantix Rovers Auckland Sunday Football Leagues SUN

Clubs in system last season

Club 2022 League/Division Lvl Nickname
Base Auckland NRF Harbour Division 6 11
Eastern City Waikato Division 2 8
Lakes Bay League Division 1 7
Meadowbank United South Canterbury Division 1 4
Mornington Otago Division 3 6
Puhoi NRF Division 4 9
Rotorua United Bay League Division 2 8
Southland United Donald Gray Memorial Cup 4
Tauranga Old Blues WaiBOP Premiership 5

Notes

  1. ^ Otakaro currently doesn't have a senior first team, their highest team plays in 17th Grade.
  2. ^ Development League
  3. ^ Otakaro is a club made up of Burwood, Coastal Spirit, Ferrymead Bays, Parklands United, St Albans Shirley and Western's best youth players.
  4. ^ Wairarapa United pulled their men's team out of the Central League before the start of the 2022 season, leaving the women's team as their top senior team.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Fact file: New Zealand football". Tourism New Zealand. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. ^ "The battle to get a New Zealand team in Australia's W-League". Stuff. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ Voerman, Andrew (25 March 2021). "The Wellington Phoenix have as large a Kiwi presence right now as they ever have had". Stuff. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Football in New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. ^ "What's in a name? It's been a decade since the Wellington Phoenix got theirs". Stuff. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ^ "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  7. ^ "New National League competition". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  8. ^ "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Update to the 2022 Central League". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
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