List of association football clubs in New Zealand
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:
- Federation One (Northern Region Football) - Northland, Auckland
- Federation Two (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Football) - Waikato, Bay of Plenty and King Country
- Federation Three (Central Football) - Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui
- Federation Four (Capital Football) - Greater Wellington, including the Kāpiti Coast and Wairarapa
- Federation Five (Mainland Football) - Tasman, Marlborough, Nelson, West Coast, Northern and Central Canterbury
- Federation Six (Footballsouth) - South Canterbury, Otago, Southland
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:
- The Northern League, consisting of teams from Federations One (Northland, Auckland) and Two (Waikato/Bay of Plenty)
- The Central League, consisting of teams from Federations Three (Central North Island) and Four (Greater Wellington)
- The Southern League, consisting of teams from Federation Five and Federation Six
- The Capital Football W-League, is a Women's Football league consisting of teams from Federations Four (Central North Island) and Five (Greater Wellington)
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[lower-alpha 1] | DL[lower-alpha 2] | New Club[lower-alpha 3] | |
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[lower-alpha 4] | 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
- Otakaro currently doesn't have a senior first team, their highest team plays in 17th Grade.
- Development League
- Otakaro is a club made up of Burwood, Coastal Spirit, Ferrymead Bays, Parklands United, St Albans Shirley and Western's best youth players.
- Wairarapa United pulled their mens 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
- "Fact file: New Zealand football". Tourism New Zealand. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "The battle to get a New Zealand team in Australia's W-League". Stuff. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- 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.
- Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Football in New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "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.
- "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "New National League competition". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "New National League system". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "Update to the 2022 Central League". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 9 August 2022.