The New Zealand Football National League returns tomorrow night as North Wellington host Waterside Karori in the first game of the new Central League season. 

Watch live on the New Zealand Football YouTube channel.
 

In the men’s game, this weekend sees the Northern, Central and Southern Leagues get underway as 32 clubs battle it out for the 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). 

After last season was cut short for the Northern League clubs due to Covid-19, 2022 should see the first full season of the new competition, which is designed to promote the development of young Kiwi talent. Even with the last year’s competition cut short for a significant number of teams, there were over 2,300 hours of game time for players aged 20 or younger in the Northern, Central and Southern League. This represents a significant increase from the last season of the previous competition model where only 6% of minutes, excluding Wellington Phoenix’s reserve side, were from players in that age bracket. 

In the women’s game, a hybrid model, previously planned for last season but delayed because of Covid-19, will operate as the top 4 sides in the Lotto NRFL join with federation teams (Central Football, Capital Football, Canterbury United Pride and Southern United) in the women’s National League Championship competition. Southern United will be looking to pick up where they left off in 2021, ending the season as National League: South Central Series champions, the competition played in the absence of the Northern Region Football and WaiBOP sides. 

The Lotto NRFL season also kicks off this weekend with women’s National League Championship starting in September. The men’s National League Championship will start in October.  

Article added: Thursday 24 March 2022