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:

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 CelticAuckland Sunday LeaguesSUNCeltics
Al-HudaOtago Division 36Promoted from Otago Division 4
Albany UnitedNRFL Northern Conference4RedsRelegated from NRFL Division 1
Auckland CityNorthern League2Navy Blues
Auckland UnitedNorthern League2

B

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
BalcluthaSouthland Division 14Promoted from Otago Division 2
Bay OlympicNorthern League2Olympic
Beachlands MaraetaiNRFL Northern Conference4Beachlands
Blenheim Valley SportsMarlborough Division 15Valley
Birkenhead UnitedNorthern League2Birko
Brooklyn Northern UnitedCapital 14BNU
Bream Bay UnitedNorthland Division 16
Bucklands BeachNRFL Northern Conference4Bucklands
BurnhamMainland Division 711Relegated from Mainland Division 4
BurwoodMainland Premier League3

C

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
CambridgeNRFL Southern Conference4Reds
CartertonWairarapa 1/28/9
Cashmere TechnicalSouthern League2
CentralMarlborough Division 15
Central BrownNorthland Division 49Relegated from Northland Division 3
Central UnitedNRFL Northern Conference4CentralPromoted from NRF Championship
Christchurch UnitedSouthern League2Rams
Claudelands RoversNRFL Southern Conference4Rovers
Clendon UnitedNRF Division 510Promoted from NRF South Division 6
ClevedonNRF South Division 1015
Coastal SpiritSouthern League2
Colo BoysAuckland Sunday LeaguesSUNNew Club

D

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
DannevirkeManawatu Division 27Promoted from Manawatu Division 3
Douglas VillaCapital 25
Durie HillWhanganui Championship5
Drury UnitedNRF Division 510Relegated from NRF Division 4

E

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
East Coast BaysNRFL Championship3Bays
Eastern SuburbsNorthern League2Lilywhites
EllerslieNRFL Championship3Ponies
ElthamTaranaki Division 16Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
Eskview UnitedHawkes Bay Division 25Promoted from Hawkes Bay Division 3

F

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
FC NelsonNelson Premier Division 15
FC Twenty 11Southern League2Promoted from Mainland Premier League
FC WesternTaranaki Premiership4
FC WhangareiNorthland Division 16
Featherston UnitedWairarapa 1/28/9
Feilding UnitedHorizons Premiership4
Fencibles UnitedNRFL Championship3
Ferrymead BaysSouthern League2Bays
Franklin UnitedNRFL Northern Conference4


G

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
GeraldineSouth Canterbury Division 25
Gisborne BohemiansGisborne Eastern 25Relegated from Gisborne Eastern 1
Gisborne ThistleCentral Federation League3Thistle
Gisborne UnitedGisborne Eastern 14
Golden BayNelson Division 26
Gore WanderersSouthland Division 14
Grants BraesOtago Division 14Promoted from Otago Division 4
Green IslandSouthern League2
GreenhitheNRF Harbour Division 611Relegated from NRF Division 5
GreytownCapital 36Promoted from Capital 4

H

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Halswell UnitedMainland Premier League3Hawks
Hamilton WanderersNorthern League2Wanderers
Hastings HibernianHawkes Bay Division 36Relegated from Hawkes Bay Division 2
Havelock North WanderersPacific Premiership4WanderersRelegated from Central League
HāweraTaranaki Premiership4
Hibiscus CoastNRFL Championship3CoastPromoted from NRFL Division 2
High School Old BoysGisborne Division 25New Club
High School Old BoysMainland Division 48Promoted from Mainland Division 6
Hornby UnitedMainland Division 37
Horowhenua CoastalCapital 14New Club
Huntly ThistleWaikato Division 27Thistle
Hurunui RangersMainland Division 913

I

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
IndependienteAuckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
InglewoodTaranaki Championship5
InternationaleAuckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
Island Bay UnitedCapital Premier3Sharks

K

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
KaikoheNorthland Division 27
Kaitaia UnitedNorthland Division 27
KaitakeTaranaki Championship5
Kapiti Coast UnitedHorowhenua/Kapiti Division 18KCURelegated from Capital 1
KamoNorthland Division 27Relegated from Northland Division 1
KapongaTaranaki Division 16
KatikatiBay League Division 16
KawerauBay League Division 16
KerikeriNorthland Division 16

L

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
LevinHorizons Premiership4Relegated from Central Federation League
LintonHorizons Championship4Relegated from Horizons Premiership
Lower Hutt CityCapital Premier3Yellows
Lynn-Avon UnitedNRF Central Division 611Resigned from NRF Championship

M

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
MadhattersNorthland Division 16
Manakau UnitedHorowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Manawatu PlunderersManawatu Division 38
MangawhaiNorthland Division 16Promoted from Northland Division 2
Mangere UnitedNRF Division 38Promoted from NRF Division 4
Manukau UnitedNorthern League2
ManurewaNorthern League2RewaPromoted from NRFL Division 1
Mapua RangersNelson Division 37Rangers
Marewa UnitedHawkes Bay Division 36
MartinboroughWairarapa 310Relegated from Wairaraoa 2
MastertonWairarapa 1/28/9Relegated from Capital 4
Massey UniversityManawatu Division 16MasseyResigned from Central Federation League
Matamata SwiftsWaiBOP League One5SwiftsPromoted from WaiBOP Championship
Maycenvale UnitedPacific Premiership4
Melville UnitedNorthern League2
MetroNRFL Championship3
MethvenMainland Division 26
Mid Canterbury UnitedMainland Division 15Relegated from Mainland Premier League
Miramar RangersCentral League2Rangers
MorrinsvilleWaikato Division 27Promoted from Waikato Division 3
MosgielSouthern Premiership3PlainsmenRelegated from Southern League
MotuekaNelson Premiership Division 15
MoturoaTaranaki Premiership4Reds
Mt Albert PonsonbyNRFL Championship3

N

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Naenae SCCapital 36
Napier City RoversCentral League2Rovers
Napier MaristPacific Premiership4Relegated from Central Federation League
Napier SouthHawkes Bay Division 36Relegated from Hawkes Bay Division 2
Nelson SuburbsSouthern League2Suburbs
New Plymouth RangersTaranaki Premiership4Rangers
NgatapaGisborne Eastern 25
Ngaruawahia UnitedNRFL Championship3Green MachinePromoted from NRFL Division 2
Ngongotahā LakesNRFL Southern Conference4VillagersPromoted from WaiBOP Premiership
NgunguruNorthland Division 16
Nomads UnitedSouthern League2Nomads
North EndManawatu Division 16Resigned from Central Federation League
North Shore UnitedNRFL Championship3ShoreRelegated from Northern League
North WellingtonCentral League2
NorthernFootballSouth Premier League3Northern
Northern HeartsFootballSouth Premier League3Hearts
Northern UnitedWaikato Division 16
Northern RoversNRFL Championship3Rovers
Northern WairoaNorthland Division 27
NorthlandNRFL Northern Conference4

O

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Old BoysSouthland Division 14Reds
Onehunga SportsNRF Central Division 813Sports
Onehunga-Mangere UnitedNRFL Championship3OM
OnerahiNorthland Division 16
Oratia UnitedNRFL Northern Conference4Tia
Otago UniversityFootballSouth Premier League3Varsity
ŌtākaroMainland Football 17th Grade - CDL[lower-alpha 1]DL[lower-alpha 2]New Club[lower-alpha 3]
OtakiHorowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Otahuhu UnitedNRF Division 49Promoted from NRF Division 5
OtorohangaWaiBOP League One5Promoted from Waikato Division 2
OtumoetaiNRFL Southern Conference4Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
OxfordMainland Division 48Promoted from Mainland Division 8

P

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
PaekākārikiHorowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
PahiatuaManawatu Division 38
PaihiaNorthland Division 27Promoted from Northland Division 3
Palmerston North MaristCentral Federation League3Marist
Palmerston North UnitedCentral Federation League3New Club
Papakura CityNRF League One5
PapamoaNRFL Southern Conference4Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Papanui-RedwoodMainland Division 59
PapatoetoeNRF League One5Reds
Papatoetoe UnitedNRF South Division 611
Parklands UnitedMainland Premier League3
Peringa UnitedTaranaki Premiership4
PetoneCentral League2Settlers
PictonMarlborough Division 15
Plains RangersBay League Division 27
Pleasant PointSouth Canterbury Division 25
Porirua CityWellington 18Promoted from Wellington 2
Port Hill UnitedPacific Premiership4
PukekoheNRF Division 49Relegated from NRF Division 3
Putaruru RangersWaikato Division 49Rangers

Q

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Queens ParkFootballSouth Premier League3Park
Queenstown RoversFootballSouth Premier League3Rovers

R

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
RangersNelson Premier Division 15
Ranui SwansonNRF League One5
Rapa NuiAuckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
Red Sox ManawatuManawatu Division 16
Richmond AthleticNelson Premier Division 15
RivercityWhanganui Championship5Chiefs
Roslyn-WakariFootballSouth Premier League3
RNZ NavyNRF Division 49Relegated from NRF Division 3

S

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
SeatounCapital Premier3Toon
Selwyn UnitedSouthern League2
ShockersGisborne Eastern 25
South Auckland RangersNRF League One5Rangers
Southend UnitedSouthland Division 14
Sperm WhalesAuckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUNSpunkies
St Albans ShirleyMainland Division 26
Stokes ValleyCapital 25
Stop OutCentral League2Promoted from Capital Premier
StratfordTaranaki Division 27Relegated from Taranaki Division 1

T

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
TahunaNelson Premier Division 15
TakapunaNorthern League2Taka
TakaroHorizons Premiership4
TaradaleCentral Federation League3Promoted from Pacific Premiership
TaupoNRFL Southern Conference4Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Tauranga CityNRFL Championship3The Blues
TawaCapital Premier3
Te AtatuNRF League One5
Te AwamutuNRFL Southern Conference4Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Te AnauSouthland Division 14
Te Puke UnitedBay League 16Relegated from NRF Championship
Temuka UnitedSouth Canterbury Division 25
ThamesWaikato Division 27Promoted from Waikato Division 2
TikipungaNorthland Division 16
Thistle FCSouthland Division 14Thistle
Thistle AFCSouth Canterbury Division 14Thistle
TokoroaWaiBOP League One5Promoted from Waikato Championship
TrojansMarlborough Division 15
TuakauNRF South Division 510Promoted from NRF South Division 6

U

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Uni-Mount BohemianNRF League One5Uni-Mount
University of AucklandAuckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUN
UniversitiesMainland Premier League3
Upper Hutt CityCapital Premier3

V

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Victoria UniversityCapital 14Vic Uni

W

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Waiheke UnitedNRFL Championship3IslandersRelegated from Northern League
WaihiWaikato Division 27
WaihopaiSouthland Division 14
WaikanaeHorowhenua/Kapiti Division 18Resigned from Capital 2
Waikato UnicolNRFL Southern Conference4Promoted from WaiBOP Premiership
Waimakariri UnitedMainland Premier League3Waimak
WainuiGisborne Eastern 14
WainuiomataCapital Premier3
Wairarapa UnitedWomen's 14[lower-alpha 4]Rapa
Wairoa AthleticGisborne Eastern 14Promoted from Gisborne Eastern 2
WaitaraTaranaki Division 16Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
WaitemataNRFL Northern Conference3Relegated from NRFL Division 1
WaiukuNRF Division 510Blue ArmyRelegated from NRF Division 4
WakefieldNelson Division 26
WanakaFootballSouth Premier League3
WarkworthNRF Division 5b10
Waterside KaroriCentral League2Wharfies
Wellington MaristCapital 25Marist
Wellington OlympicCentral League2Greeks
Wellington Phoenix ReservesCentral League2Nix
Wellington UnitedCapital 36DiamondsRelegated from Central League
West AucklandNRFL Northern Conference4
West Coast RangersNorthern League3RangersPromoted from NRFL Division 1
West EndSouth Canterbury Division 14
West Hamilton UnitedWaiBOP League One5
WesternMainland Premier League3Dub
Western RangersPacific Premiership4
Western SpringsNorthern League2Springs
Western SuburbsCentral League2Wests
Whakatane TownBay League Division 16
Wanganui AthleticCentral League3Promoted from Central Federation League
Wanganui CityHorizons Premiership4
Wanganui MaristWhanganui Championship5
WintonSouthland Division 14
WoodleighTaranaki Championship5Relegated from Taranaki Premiership
Wyndham TownSouthland Division 25

Z

Club League/Division Lvl Nickname Change from 2022 to 2023
Zamantix RoversAuckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUN

Clubs in system last season

Club 2022 League/Division Lvl Nickname
Base AucklandNRF Harbour Division 611
Eastern CityWaikato Division 28
LakesBay League Division 17
Meadowbank UnitedSouth Canterbury Division 14
MorningtonOtago Division 36
PuhoiNRF Division 49
Rotorua UnitedBay League Division 28
Southland UnitedDonald Gray Memorial Cup4
Tauranga Old BluesWaiBOP Premiership5

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 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

  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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.