It’s worth the wait, as the women’s National League Championship finally kicks off today.

It’ll be a season of firsts - the first season of the hybrid format, which sees a mixture of clubs and federation teams take part. Northern Region sides Northern Rovers, Western Springs, Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United make their National League debuts.

And what of the federation sides?

Southern United won their first national title last year when they claimed the South-Central Series in December, and will be looking to keep silverware in the south. South Island rivals Canterbury United Pride, the perennial women’s national champs (having completed a three-peat of national titles between 2018 and 2020) will be champing at the bit to reclaim their place at the top, after an uncharacteristic third place finish in the series. Capital Football, meanwhile, having racked up two consecutive second place finishes in 2020 and 2021, will be hoping to finally go one better and claim their first national title since 2010. Central Football will be looking to build on competitive performance last year and challenge the established order in the league.

And for the first half of the season the girl’s Youth National League will take place for the first time, mirroring (yes, you guessed it) the first half of the women’s National League. Players in the girl’s Youth National League also eligible to play in the senior competition.

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup now less than a year away, a host of U-20 Women’s World Cup returnees and prospective U-17 Women’s World Cup players, the women’s National League Championship is the first place to be to see some Aotearoa New Zealand’s top talent.

Northern Rovers

NRFL champions having only lost once in the league all season, and Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup finalists, Northern Rovers enter the National League Championship both with the confidence of success earlier this year and the hint of a point to prove.

Who to look out for:

Michaela Foster. The former Hamilton Wanderers defender made the move north this year, and already has an NRFL title in her back pocket. She’s also deadly from corners, with a penchant for an Olimpico or two.

Head coach: Ben Bate

Western Springs AFC

Runners up in the NRFL this season – the only team to beat champions Northern Rovers in the league - and denied the opportunity to play in the National League Championship last year thanks to lockdown, Western Springs will be delighted to bring national competition to Seddon Park this year.

Who to look out for:

Young winger Lara Colpi has impressed in the NRFL for the last couple of seasons securing a few Goal of the Week nominations this year so far to boot, and is part of the league’s cohort with eyes on the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India later this year. Elsewhere on the pitch, Arisa Takeda and Rina Hirano – at fullback and forward respectively – will be players to keep an eye on, having taken the 2020 national league by a storm with their performances for Auckland Football.

Head coach: Ryan Faithfull

Eastern Suburbs AFC

Top scorers in the NRFL by some distance this season, Suburbs will have their sights set on similarly putting the rest of the league’s defences on notice.

Who to look out for:

The NRFL golden boot winner Juliette Lucas (with 16 goals) and runner up Jade Parris (with 13 goals) respectively will keep National League defences on the tips of their toes, as they spearhead the NRFL’s meanest attack (Eastern Suburbs scored 73 goals in 21 games on their way to securing National League qualification) on the national stage – supplemented by Deven Conway’s 12 goals from midfield.

Head coach: Stephen Hoyle

Auckland United FC

The newly crowned Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup winners will kick off their National League Championship campaign with the taste of national success still fresh after dispatching NRFL rivals Northern Rovers at North Harbour Stadium last weekend.

Who to look out for:

Goalkeeper Aimee Danielli caught the eye during the her side’s Kate Sheppard Cup victory with a number of fine saves, and was a member of the Junior Football Ferns squad at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica last month. At the other end of the pitch, fellow Junior Football Ferns team mate Milly Clegg will look to lead the line for United, fresh off scoring that goal against Colombia in Costa Rica.

Head coach: Mauro Donso

Central Football

The federation has a strong record of producing players, with Charlotte Lancaster and Mackenzie Barry foundation members of the Wellington Phoenix A-League Women’s side, and the former earning global recognition for her wonder goal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

With the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to see who might be in the mix for the Young Football Ferns squad. Which brings us nicely to…

Who to look out for:

The Palmerston North Marist duo of Georgie Furnell and Rebekah Trewhitt were important parts of their side’s Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final run and second place finish in the Capital Football W-League this season, and will be looking to carry that form over to Central’s Championship campaign.

Head coach: Matt Calvert

Capital Football

After two seasons of going so near yet so far in the league, making the final in 2020 and missing out on the South-Central Series title on the final day of the season, Capital Football will be hoping third time’s the charm in the 2022 National League Championship.

Who to look out for:

Pepi Olliver-Bell had a number of eye-catching performances for Capital in the South-Central Series, and during the winter season for 2021 Kate Sheppard Cup winners Wellington United Diamonds. Sharp shooter Renee Bacon has made the move north from Dunedin to Wellington, starring for Waterside Karori as they stormed to the W-League title and netting the league golden boot, and will be looking to replicate that form in the National League Championship.

Head coach: Maika Ruyter-Hooley

Canterbury United Pride

In short, the Pride have been the dominant force in domestic football for the last few years. Winning back-to-back-to-back national titles from 2018 to 2020, the side has ensured that Canterbury has become synonymous with victory in Aotearoa football circles. It’s no surprise that that they’ve also been a real talent pipeline to the Wellington Phoenix and the Ford Football Ferns over the years.

Who to look out for:

Futsal Ferns duo Britney-Lee Nicholson and Rebecca Lake have become synonymous with footballing success in the Canterbury region, having teamed up for the Pride since, as well as for the University of Canterbury’s futsal team  They were also integral members of the inaugural South Island Championship winners Coastal Spirit SAS, and will be looking to bring more success back to the Canterbury region over the next few months.

Head coach: Alana Gunn

Southern United

2021 was the South’s year. After shocking the Pride in the opening game of the South-Central Series Southern United never looked back, securing the title on a dramatic final day of the campaign. United will be keen to ensure that national success becomes a habit this year.

Who to look out for:

Skipper Rose Morton didn’t miss a minute of the Southlanders’ first national title campaign, with her leadership seeing her named the team’s MVP and nominated for the New Zealand Football women’s player of the year. Her Dunedin City Royals teammate Margarida Dias is another player to keep an eye on, with her slick footwork and eye for the spectacular likely to be a feature of the side’s attack once again.

Head coach: Kris Ridley

National League Championship fixtures can be viewed here

Article added: Saturday 17 September 2022