2025 New Zealand National League

This article is about the men's season. For the women's season, see 2025 New Zealand Women's National League.

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] Auckland FC Reserves and Wellington Phoenix Reserves qualify automatically for the championship phase. 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

[edit]

2025 Northern League

[edit]
Northern League
Season2025
← 2024
2026 →

Northern League teams

[edit]

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).[7]

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 Riverhills Domain Pakuranga, Auckland 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

[edit]
Team Manager Captain
Auckland City New Zealand Paul Posa[8] New Zealand Mario Ilich
Auckland FC Reserves Australia Luke Casserly[9]
Auckland United England José Figueira[10] New Zealand Ross Haviland[11]
Bay Olympic New Zealand Peter Smith[12] New Zealand Callum McNeill[13]
Birkenhead United England Paul Hobson[10] New Zealand Luke Jorgensen[14]
East Coast Bays New Zealand Joe Hall[15] New Zealand Louie Caunter[16]
Eastern Suburbs New Zealand Michael Built[17] New Zealand Adam Thomas[18]
Fencibles United New Zealand Rhys Ruka[19]
Manurewa South Africa Tashreeq Davids[20]
Tauranga City Scotland Barry Gardiner[21] New Zealand Campbell Higgins[22]
West Coast Rangers New Zealand Chad Coombes[23] Malaysia Dev Pokhrel[24]
Western Springs England Scott Hales[25] New Zealand Oscar Ramsay[26]

Northern League managerial changes

[edit]
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)[27] End of interim spell 27 November 2024 Pre-season New Zealand Michael Built[17] 27 November 2024
Manurewa New Zealand Dylan Burns End of contract 21 December 2024 South Africa Tashreeq Davids[20] 21 December 2024
Auckland City Spain Albert Riera[8] Stepped down 21 January 2025 New Zealand Paul Posa[8] 21 January 2025
Auckland FC Reserves Inaugural Australia Luke Casserly[9] 12 February 2025

Northern League table

[edit]

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[29]
Notes:
  1. ^ Auckland FC Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase due to the A-League Men requirements.[28]

Northern League results table

[edit]
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

[edit]
Central League
Season2025
← 2024
2026 →

Central League teams

[edit]

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.[30] 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).[31]

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

[edit]
Team Manager[32] Captain
Island Bay United
Miramar Rangers New Zealand Kale Herbert[33] England Sam Mason-Smith
Napier City Rovers England Bill Robertson England Jim Hoyle[34]
North Wellington New Zealand Ryan Faithfull[35] Canada Gavin Hoy[36]
Petone New Zealand Ryan Edwards[37] New Zealand Hami Paranihi-Nuku
Upper Hutt City
Waterside Karori New Zealand Sam Morrissey[38] England Harry Fautley
Wellington Olympic New Zealand Rupert Kemeys Cook Islands Ben Mata[39]
Wellington Phoenix Reserves England Chris Greenacre New Zealand Isaac Hughes
Western Suburbs South Africa Alan Koch[40] Canada Malik Smith[40]

Central League table

[edit]

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 Central League 2
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[29]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
Southern League
Season2025
← 2024
2026 →

Southern League teams

[edit]

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.[41] This is their first season in the Southern League. They replaced FC Twenty 11 (relegated after their second season in the Southern League).[42]

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

[edit]
Team Manager Captain
Cashmere Technical England Dan Schwarz[43] England Tom Schwarz[43]
Christchurch United New Zealand Ryan Edwards[44][45] New Zealand Joel Stevens[46]
Coastal Spirit New Zealand Robbie Stanton[47][48] New Zealand Joe Hoole[49][50]
Dunedin City Royals New Zealand Blair Scoullar[51] New Zealand Jared Grove
Ferrymead Bays New Zealand Alan Walker[52] Republic of Ireland James Deehan
Nelson Suburbs Northern Ireland Ryan Stewart Australia Sam Ayers[53]
Nomads United New Zealand Matthew Jansen[54] New Zealand Caleb Cottom
Selwyn United New Zealand Chris Brown[55] New Zealand Jayden Booth
University of Canterbury
Wanaka United States Ben Sippola (joint)[56]
Netherlands Thomas van Hees (joint)[56]

Southern League managerial changes

[edit]

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
University of Canterbury New Zealand Ben Ellis Mutual Consent 1 September 2024 Pre-season
Dunedin City Royals New Zealand Richard Murray[57] Stepped Down 29 October 2024 New Zealand Blair Scoullar[51] 31 October 2024

Southern League table

[edit]

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 Nelson Premiership/Canterbury Premiership/Southern Premiership
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[29]

Southern League results table

[edit]
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

[edit]

There are 11 men's National League Championship qualifying spots (4 plus Auckland FC Reserves 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
Auckland
Auckland
Wellington
Wellington
class=notpageimage|
Location of clubs in New Zealand for the 2023 National League season
class=notpageimage|
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
Auckland FC (automatic berth) Auckland FC Reserves Automatic qualification 1st Debut
Wellington Phoenix (automatic berth) Wellington Phoenix Reserves Automatic qualification 4th (2024) 5th (2024)

Championship phase

[edit]

League table

[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Auckland FC Reserves[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Wellington Phoenix Reserves[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Northern League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification to Grand Final and Champions League group stage
4 Northern League 2nd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Northern League 3rd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Northern League 4th place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Central League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Central League 2nd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Central League 3rd place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Southern League 1st place 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 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[29]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Auckland FC Reserves and Wellington Phoenix Reserves can not qualify for the Grand Final.[29]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Ilam Fields doesn't met NZF Pitch Regulations
  2. ^ Wānaka Recreation Centre doesn't met NZF Pitch Regulations

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "Fencibles United clinch Championship title and promotion to Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Promotion and Relegation: NRFL and WaiBOP Leagues". WaiBOP Football. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Paul Posa Assumes Head Coach Role At City". Auckland City FC. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Auckland FC appoint head coach to lead reserves". Auckland FC. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Northern League clubs shuffle coaches and build partnerships for new season". friendsoffootball.com. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Double-round weekend will put pressure on Northern League sides". Friends of Football. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  12. ^ "MEN's FIRST TEAM & U23s 2024". Bay Olympic. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  13. ^ "CALLUM MCNEILL". Bay Olympic. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ "Bay Olympic v Birkenhead". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  15. ^ "About Us". East Coast Bays AFC. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ a b "Long-serving Michael Built takes over as men's head coach at Eastern Suburbs". friendsoffootball.com. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Hamilton Wanderers v Eastern Suburbs". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Fencibles United unveil Rhys Ruka as men's head coach for Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Manurewa appoint Tashreeq Davids as next season's Northern League coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 December 204. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Revamped Lotto NRFL Championship begins with new faces in the dugouts". friendsoffootballnz.com. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  22. ^ "📣Player Announcement". Tauranga City. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  23. ^ "Here's an early Christmas present for all to share". West Coast Rangers. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  24. ^ "💙🖤💙🤍🖤🤍 Dev is back!!". West Coast Rangers. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024 – via Instagram.
  25. ^ "Western Springs name Scott Hales as club's new head of men's football". friendsoffootballnz.com. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Western Springs v Takapuna". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Eastern Suburbs v Napier City Rovers". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  28. ^ "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  29. ^ a b c d e "National League Regulations 2025: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  30. ^ "Day of reckoning settles Central League participation for next season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  31. ^ "James Sutcliffe to lead Stop Out in next season's Central League 2". friendsoffootballnz.com. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  32. ^ "2022 Central League Preview". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Kale Herbert to lead Miramar Rangers into new season after Scott Hales steps down". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  34. ^ "📢 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ✍️". Napier City Rovers Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  35. ^ "Ryan Faithfull unveiled as Director of Football for North Wellington club". friendsoffootballnz.com. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  36. ^ "🚨Announcement 🚨". North Wellington FC Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Central League club Petone confirm coaching staff for new season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  38. ^ "Waterside Karori appoint new coach for next season's Central League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  39. ^ "✍🏽 Player Re-Signing Announcement". Wellington Olympic AFC Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  40. ^ a b "North Wellington 1-3 Western Suburbs (25 March 2023)". Capital Football. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  41. ^ "Wanaka clinch promotion to Southern League after winning play-off series". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  42. ^ "PREVIEW: Battle begins for promotion to next year's Southern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  43. ^ a b "Premier Men Football Team". Cashmere Technical. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Exciting News for Christchurch United". Christchurch United. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  45. ^ "1st Team Staff". Christchurch United. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  46. ^ "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.
  47. ^ "New Head Coach". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Men's Football". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  49. ^ "*MENS FIRST TEAM SIGNING*". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 15 January 2025 – via Facebook.
  50. ^ "PREMIER MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SIGNING 🖤💙". Coastal Spirit. Retrieved 12 February 2025 – via Instagram.
  51. ^ a b "Head Coach 2025". Dunedin City Royals Instagram. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  52. ^ "Seniors". Ferrymead Bays. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  53. ^ "MEN'S PREMIERSHIP TEAM". Nelson Suburbs Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  54. ^ "PREMIER MENS". Nomads United. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  55. ^ "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.
  56. ^ a b "Seniors". Wanaka. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  57. ^ "Dunedin City Royals Announcement". Dunedin City Royals Instagram. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
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