New Zealand Football Championship

Football league

New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC)

Founded| 2004; 21 years ago (2004)
First season| 2004–05
Folded| 2021; 4 years ago (2021)
Country| New Zealand
Confederation| OFC
Number of clubs| 8
Level on pyramid| 1
Domestic cup(s)| White Ribbon Cup
International cup(s)| OFC Champions League
Last champions| Team Wellington (3rd title)
(2020–21)
Current premiers| Auckland City (12th title)
Most championships| Auckland City (8 titles)
Most premierships| Auckland City (12 titles)
Most appearances| Jake Butler (257 appearances)
Top goalscorer| Emiliano Tade (80 goals)
Broadcaster(s)| Sky Sports
Website| www.nzfc.co.nz

The New Zealand Football Championship (Māori: Te Whakataetae Whutupaoro a Aotearoa) was a men's association football league at the top of the New Zealand league system. Founded in 2004, the New Zealand Football Championship was the successor to a myriad of short-lived football leagues in the country, including the National Soccer League, the National Summer Soccer League and the New Zealand Superclub League. The league was contested by ten teams in a franchise system. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the ISPS Handa Men's Premiership. From the 2021 season, it was replaced by the New Zealand National League.[1]

The seasons used to run from October through to April, and consist of an eighteen-round regular season followed by a playoff series involving the four highest-placed teams, culminating in a Grand Final. Each season, two clubs would gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region. The league does not use a system of promotion and relegation.

Auckland City were the most successful side since the competition's inception, with twelve premierships and seven championship titles. A youth competition, called the National Youth League, ran parallel to the regular season from October to December – the final champions were also Auckland City, winning the final season of the competition in 2019.

## Competition format

[edit]

There were two stages to the competition: the regular season, in which each team played each other twice for a total of 18 games; and the playoffs, in which the top four teams in the league play knockout matches in order to determine the champion.[2]

### Regular season

[edit]

Each team played each other team twice: once at home, and once away. Teams score three points for a win, one for a draw, and no points for a loss. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams progress to the playoffs.

For the first four seasons, the regular season had the teams play each other three times. This was changed to a home-and-away system in 2008, due to financial difficulties affecting some clubs.

### Playoffs

[edit]

The playoffs consist of three matches; there were two semi-final matches, and the winners of each progress to a one-match Grand Final.

In the inaugural season, three teams took part in the playoffs. The Minor Premier (the winner of the regular season) received automatic entry to the grand final as well as hosting rights, while the second and third placed teams played a one-game preliminary final to determine entry to the grand final. The NZFC also experimented with a five team playoff in the 2005–06 season, however, this was discontinued and the league reverted to the three-team playoff system for the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons. The league changed to the four-team playoff system in the 2009–10 season.

### Qualification to OFC Champions League

[edit]

Two teams from the NZFC qualified for the OFC Champions League each season: the team that won the regular season (the "Minor Premier") and the team that won the Grand Final (the "Champion"). If the same team wins both the Minor Premiership and the Championship, the second Champions League spot is granted to the regular season runner-up. This occurred on numerous occasions; the first instance being in 2006 when Auckland City (premiers and champions) and YoungHeart Manawatu qualified, YoungHeart Manawatu not making it to the Grand Final.

No promotion and relegation existed, making it a closed league similar to the A-League in Australia and Major League Soccer in the United States.

## History

[edit]

### Establishment in 2004 to present

[edit]

The New Zealand Football Championship was created as a replacement to the former New Zealand National Soccer League, a tournament involving clubs from the regional governing bodies of New Zealand Football. The NZFC was to be run as a summer league involving new clubs created solely for the new competition, with these new clubs being run jointly by existing winter clubs. The only exception to this was Napier City Rovers, whose summer club would be rebranded Hawke's Bay United during the second season, to be operated jointly by other clubs in the Hawke's Bay region.

Eleven groups bid for franchises, with the successful bids being announced on 7 April 2004 as Auckland City, Canterbury United, Napier City Rovers, Otago United, Team Wellington, Waikato FC, Waitakere United, and YoungHeart Manawatu, with Olé Madrids, East Auckland and Team Bay of Plenty being excluded. Unhappy at their exclusion, the Olé Madrids bid team took New Zealand Soccer to court, suing for damages and demanding inclusion in the competition, claiming that, whilst they met NZ Soccer's criteria for inclusion, other successful bids did not. The case was dropped by the Madrids team eight days before the commencement of the first NZFC season.[3] The Olé Academy, previously having had a relationship with Team Wellington, currently holds an exclusive partnership with current league side Eastern Suburbs.[4][5] East Auckland also considered legal action, however this was not pursued.[6]

The first match of the competition was on 15 October 2004, with Auckland City defeating Napier City Rovers 3–1 at Park Island, Napier. Auckland City were also crowned the inaugural NZFC champions after defeating Waitakere United 3–2 in the final.

The second season saw Napier City Rovers rebrand and reorganize their NZFC team as Hawke's Bay United, forming an amalgamated franchise with other local clubs. It also saw the first instance of a NZFC team winning the O-League, with Auckland City FC defeating Tahitian team AS Pirae 3–1.

At the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, New Zealand Football granted three-season licence extensions to seven of the eight franchises – all but YoungHeart Manawatu, who had to reapply due to concerns over the club's financial and organisational situation. However, YoungHeart eventually earned reinstatement after beating out four rival bids – one based in Gisborne, one from North Shore City, and two from Manukau. Olé Madrids also applied for the licence; however they withdrew early.[7]

On 2 September 2010, New Zealand Football announced a five-year sponsorship agreement with ASB Bank resulting in the rebranding of the New Zealand Football Championship to the ASB Premiership.[8]

In 2013, after a review of the competition by the ASB Premiership review committee, YoungHeart Manawatu was dropped from the competition after finishing last in the previous three seasons. New Zealand Football also confirmed that a team composed of New Zealand players born on or after 1 January 1995 would take Manawatu's place in the Premiership for at least two seasons. The addition of the team – to be known as Wanderers SC – was to provide adequate preparation for New Zealand's U-20 players for the upcoming 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be hosted by New Zealand.[9] Much confusion surrounded the initials "SC" in the Wanderers' name, as no official explanation was given as to what they stood for. It wasn't until after their first match that coach Darren Bazeley finally revealed that "SC" stood for "Special Club", saying "it acknowledges this team has arisen out of a special situation and was specially formed for the purpose."[10]

The 2014–15 season saw the Premiership expand to nine teams for the first time in its history. Wellington Phoenix Reserves was added to the competition to provide game time for the members of the Phoenix squad who are not playing frequently for the first team in the A-League. Restrictions were also put in place for all clubs requiring that at least 50% of match day squads are players who are eligible to play for the All Whites.[11]

After 11 full seasons, only Auckland City and Waitakere United have been crowned Premiers or Champions, with Auckland City adding their sixth premiership and sixth title in the 2014–15 season. This trend was bucked, however, in the twelfth season of the competition, as Team Wellington defeated Auckland City 4–2 after extra time in the final.[12] The 2018–19 saw Eastern Suburbs crowned as champions for the first time, becoming the first club to win the NZFC and the New Zealand National Soccer League.

### 2016 expansion

[edit]

In December 2015 it was announced that the league would be expanding to 10 teams for the 2016–17 season with Eastern Suburbs from Auckland, Hamilton Wanderers from Hamilton, and Tasman United from Nelson joining the league, while WaiBop United would exit the competition.[13]

### Rebrandings

[edit]

In September 2016, it was announced that the expanded league would be rebranded as the Stirling Sports Premiership.[14]

In March 2017, it was announced that the league would be rebranded as the ISPS Handa Premiership, due to a three-year sponsorship deal with ISPS Handa.[15]

### National League Championship

[edit]

In March 2021, New Zealand Football announced a change to the structure of both the premiership and the top regional leagues around the country. The four top regional leagues (NRFL Premier, Central Premier League, Mainland Premier League and the FootballSouth Premier League) would be formed into the Northern League, Central League, and the Southern League. These leagues would allow local clubs to qualify for the premiership season (now known as the National League Championship), with the top 4 teams from the Northern League, the top 3 teams from the Central League, and the top 2 teams from the Southern League making up the competition, alongside the Wellington Phoenix Reserve side. All teams that qualify plus the Phoenix Reserves, would then play a single round-robin competition between September and December.[1]

## Clubs

[edit]

Until 2019, the New Zealand Football Championship had no promotion or relegation, similar to leagues in Australia and the United States. A promotion and relegation system was to be introduced to the National League in 2020/2021, taking the form of a slot protection model. This model protects one National League slot for each major region of the country to protect geographic representation and maintain a pathway for all clubs into the ISPS Handa Premiership. A slot for the Wellington Phoenix's reserve side was to also be protected. Promotion and relegation were to be decided every 4 years.

Waitakere United

Auckland

Auckland teams:
Auckland City
Eastern Suburbs
Wanderers SC

Wellington teams:
Team Wellington
Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Hamilton Wanderers

WaiBOP United

Wellington

Tasman United

Canterbury United

Hawke's Bay United

Southern United

Manawatu United

class=notpageimage|

Location of all clubs in New Zealand for all seasons of the league

### Current clubs

[edit]

Team  | City, Region  | Stadium  | Joined  | Head Coach

|
|
|
|

Auckland City | Auckland, Auckland | Kiwitea Street | 2004  |  José Figueira
Canterbury United | Christchurch, Canterbury | English Park | 2004  |  Lee Padmore
Eastern Suburbs | Auckland, Auckland | Madills Farm | 2016  |  Hoani Edwards
Hamilton Wanderers | Hamilton, Waikato | Porritt Stadium | 2016  |  Kale Herbert
Hawke's Bay United | Napier, Hawke's Bay | Bluewater Stadium | 2005  |  Bill Robertson
Chris Greatholder
Team Wellington | Wellington, Wellington | David Farrington Park | 2004  |  Scott Hales
Waitakere United | Whenuapai, Auckland | Fred Taylor Park | 2004  |  Paul Hobson
Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Wellington, Wellington | Newtown Park | 2014  |  Paul Temple

### Former clubs

[edit]

Team  | City, Region  | Joined  | Left

|
|
|

YoungHeart Manawatu | Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui | 2004  | 2013
Wanderers SC | North Shore, Auckland | 2013  | 2015
WaiBOP United | Cambridge, Waikato | 2004  | 2016
Southern United | Dunedin, Otago | 2004  | 2020
Tasman United | Nelson, Nelson | 2016  | 2020

### Name changes

[edit]

* Napier City Rovers → Hawke's Bay United
* Otago United → Southern United
* Waikato FC → WaiBOP United

## Champions and premiers

[edit]

Season  | Regular Season  | Grand Final

|
|

Premiers  | Points  | Runners-up  | Points  | Champions  | Score  | Runners-up
2004–05 | Auckland City | 46  | Waitakere United | 40  | Auckland City | 3 – 2 | Waitakere United
2005–06 | Auckland City | 48  | YoungHeart Manawatu | 46  | Auckland City | 3 – 3 (a.e.t.)
4 – 3 (p.s.o.) | Canterbury United
2006–07 | Waitakere United | 47  | YoungHeart Manawatu | 45  | Auckland City | 3 – 2 | Waitakere United
2007–08 | Waitakere United | 51  | Auckland City | 50  | Waitakere United | 2 – 0 | Team Wellington
2008–09 | Waitakere United | 33  | Auckland City | 25  | Auckland City | 2 – 1 | Waitakere United
2009–10 | Auckland City | 31  | Waitakere United | 29  | Waitakere United | 3 – 1 | Canterbury United
2010–11 | Waitakere United | 36  | Auckland City | 30  | Waitakere United | 3 – 2 | Auckland City
2011–12 |  Auckland City | 36  | Canterbury United | 29  | Waitakere United | 4 – 1 | Team Wellington
2012–13 | Waitakere United | 37  | Auckland City | 33  | Waitakere United | 4 – 3
(a.e.t.) | Auckland City
2013–14 | Auckland City | 33  | Team Wellington | 26  | Auckland City | 1 – 0 | Team Wellington
2014–15 | Auckland City | 42  | Team Wellington | 30  | Auckland City | 2 – 1 | Hawke's Bay United
2015–16 | Auckland City | 38  | Hawke's Bay United | 30  | Team Wellington | 4 – 2
(a.e.t.) | Auckland City
2016–17 | Auckland City | 36  | Team Wellington | 36  | Team Wellington | 2 – 1 | Auckland City
2017–18 | Auckland City | 40  | Team Wellington | 37  | Auckland City | 1 – 0 | Team Wellington
2018–19 | Auckland City | 52  | Eastern Suburbs | 40  | Eastern Suburbs | 3 – 0 | Team Wellington
2019–20 | Auckland City | 37† | Team Wellington | 34† | Auckland City | Not played† | Team Wellington
2020–21 | Auckland City | 28  | Team Wellington | 26  | Team Wellington | 4 – 2 | Auckland City

† Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season was concluded after 16 rounds. The remaining two rounds of the regular season and the finals series were cancelled. Auckland City, who were leading the regular season table, were declared champions and also awarded the Minor Premiership, and qualified for the 2021 OFC Champions League together with Team Wellington, who were at second place in the regular season table.[16][17]

### Premiership winners

[edit]

Team  | Titles  | Runners-up  | Winning Years

|
|
|

Auckland City |

| 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
Waitakere United |

| 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Team Wellington |

YoungHeart Manawatu |

Canterbury United |

Hawke's Bay United |

Eastern Suburbs |

### Championship winners

[edit]

Team  | Titles  | Runners-up  | Winning Years

|
|
|

Auckland City |

| 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2019–20
Waitakere United |

| 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Team Wellington |

| 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
Eastern Suburbs |

| 2018–19
Canterbury United |

Hawke's Bay United |

## Awards

[edit]

### Golden Boot

[edit]

The Golden Boot is presented to the player who scores the most goals during the season.

Year  | Player  | Club  | Goals

|
|
|

2007–08 |  Graham Little  | Team Wellington | 12
2008–09 |  Luis Corrales  | Team Wellington | 12
2009–10 |  Seule Soromon | YoungHeart Manawatu | 9
2010–11 |  Allan Pearce | Waitakere United | 13
2011–12 |  George Slefendorfas | Canterbury United | 12
2012–13 |  Roy Krishna | Waitakere United | 12
2013–14 |  Emiliano Tade | Auckland City | 12
2014–15 |  Tyler Boyd
Tom Jackson
Sean Lovemore | Wellington Phoenix
Southern United
Hawke's Bay United | 10
2015–16 |  Ryan De Vries | Auckland City | 15
2016–17 |  Tom Jackson | Team Wellington | 16
2017–18 |  Emiliano Tade | Auckland City | 16
2018–19 |  Callum McCowatt | Eastern Suburbs | 21
2019–20 |  Myer Bevan | Auckland City | 15
2020–21 |  Derek Tieku
Hamish Watson† | Hamilton Wanderers
Team Wellington | 12

† Due to reaching 12 goals in less games, Hamish Watson was awarded the trophy at the Grand finals.[18]

### Steve Sumner Trophy

[edit]

The Steve Sumner Trophy is presented to the man of the match in the final.

Year  | Player  | Club

|
|

2017–18[19] | Callum McCowatt | Auckland City
2018–19[19] | Callum McCowatt | Eastern Suburbs
2019–20 | Not awarded†
2020–21[18] | Andy Bevin  | Team Wellington

† Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season was concluded after 16 rounds and the final series wasn't played.[16][17]

### Team of the Decade

[edit]

In 2014, to celebrate the first 10 years of the league under the franchise format (2004–05 to 2013–14), New Zealand Football announced an official Team of the Decade and five individual player awards.[20][21]

Prior to the ASB Premiership Grand Final in 2014, the Team of the Decade was announced, as selected by a panel of media experts.[21] The team was selected in a 4–3–3 formation.

Position  | Player  | Club(s)

|
|

Goalkeeper |  Danny Robinson | Waikato, Waitakere United
Defenders |  James Pritchett | Auckland City
Ivan Vicelich | Auckland City
Danny Hay | Waitakere United
Ian Hogg | Hawke's Bay United, Waitakere United, Auckland City
Midfielders |  Chris Bale | Waitakere United, Team Wellington, Auckland City
Aaron Clapham | Canterbury United
Albert Riera | Auckland City
Strikers |  Keryn Jordan | Waitakere United, Auckland City
Roy Krishna | Waitakere United, Auckland City
Benjamin Totori | YoungHeart Manawatu, Waitakere United
Substitutes |  Ross Nicholson (RGK)  | Auckland City, YoungHeart Manawatu
Ben Sigmund | Canterbury United, Auckland City
Jake Butler | Waitakere United
Allan Pearce | Waitakere United
Grant Young | Hawke's Bay United, Waitakere United, Auckland City
Coach |  Alan Jones | Auckland City

### Players of the Decade

[edit]

Throughout the 2013–14 national league season, four Player of the Decade awards (based on playing position) were announced and prior to the 2014 Grand Final an overall Player of the Decade was announced. These awards were decided by a panel of media experts with input from fans via a public vote.[20]

Award  | Player  | Club(s)

|
|

Player of the Decade[21] |  Keryn Jordan | Waitakere United, Auckland City
Goalkeeper of the Decade[22] |  Danny Robinson | Waikato, Waitakere United
Defender of the Decade[23] |  Ivan Vicelich | Auckland City
Midfielder of the Decade[24] |  Aaron Clapham | Canterbury United
Striker of the Decade[25] |  Roy Krishna | Waitakere United, Auckland City

## Records and statistics

[edit]

Regular season matches

Updated to end of 2020–21 season

Club  | SP | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | 1st  | 2nd  | 3rd  | 4th

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Auckland City | 17 | 282 | 200 | 47 | 35 | 699 | 278 | +421 | 647 | 12 | 4 | 1 | \-
Canterbury United | 17 | 282 | 115 | 53 | 114 | 461 | 444 | +17 | 398 | - | 1 | 4 | 5
Eastern Suburbs | 5 | 84 | 43 | 14 | 27 | 176 | 114 | +62 | 143 | - | 1 | - | 3
Hamilton Wanderers | 5 | 84 | 21 | 13 | 50 | 128 | 204 | −76 | 76 | - | - | 1 | \-
Hawke's Bay United¹ | 17 | 282 | 101 | 51 | 130 | 477 | 582 | −105 | 354 | - | 1 | 2 | 3
Southern United² | 16 | 268 | 59 | 49 | 160 | 308 | 593 | −285 | 226 | - | - | - | \-
Tasman United | 4 | 70 | 19 | 17 | 34 | 112 | 143 | −31 | 74 | - | - | - | \-
Team Wellington | 17 | 282 | 145 | 54 | 83 | 613 | 445 | +168 | 489 | - | 6 | 4 | 4
WaiBOP United³ | 12 | 198 | 61 | 28 | 109 | 272 | 410 | −138 | 211 | - | - | 1 | \-
Waitakere United | 17 | 282 | 151 | 42 | 89 | 602 | 413 | +189 | 495 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2
Wanderers SC | 2 | 30 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 43 | 68 | −25 | 22 | - | - | - | \-
Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 7 | 114 | 28 | 20 | 66 | 183 | 289 | −106 | 104 | - | - | - | \-
YoungHeart Manawatu | 9 | 154 | 51 | 25 | 78 | 253 | 344 | −91 | 178 | - | 2 | 1 | \-

¹ Includes record as Napier City Rovers
² Includes record as Otago United
³ Includes record as Waikato FC

Finals matches

As of the conclusion of the 2020–21 season

Club  | SP | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | 1st  | 2nd

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Auckland City | 16 | 34 | 22 | 1 | 11 | 78 | 52 | +26 | 8 | 5
Team Wellington | 13 | 29 | 15 | 2 | 12 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 3 | 6
Waitakere United | 11 | 24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 64 | 52 | +12 | 5 | 3
Canterbury United | 8 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 19 | 32 | −13 | - | 2
Hawke's Bay United¹ | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 24 | −11 | - | 1
Eastern Suburbs | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 1 | \-
YoungHeart Manawatu | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | - | \-
Southern United² | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | \-
Hamilton Wanderers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | - | \-
WaiBOP United³ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | - | \-

¹ Includes record as Napier City Rovers
² Includes record as Otago United
³ Includes record as Waikato FC

Largest victories
Season  | Home team  | Result  | Away team  | Date

|
|
|
|

2013–14 | Southern United | 0 – 10 |  Auckland City | 16 February 2013
2006–07 | Waitakere United | 8 – 0 | Southern United | 8 March 2007
2007–08 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 0 – 8 | Team Wellington | 6 January 2008
2007–08 | Canterbury United | 1 – 9 | Waitakere United | 20 January 2008
2011–12 | Canterbury United | 9 – 1 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 22 January 2012
2012–13 | Waikato | 1 – 9 | Waitakere United | 20 January 2013
2005–06 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 8 – 1 | Hawke's Bay United | 18 February 2006
2006–07 | Team Wellington | 7 – 0 | Hawke's Bay United | 26 January 2007
2011–12 | Canterbury United | 7 – 0 | Hawke's Bay United | 4 February 2012

Highest scoring matches
Season  | Home team  | Result  | Away team  | Date

|
|
|
|

2005–06 | Team Wellington | 4 – 6 |  Auckland City | 7 January 2006
2007–08 | Canterbury United | 1 – 9 |  Waitakere United | 20 January 2008
2011–12 | Canterbury United | 9 – 1 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 22 January 2012
2012–13 | Waikato | 1 – 9 | Waitakere United | 20 January 2013
2012–13 | Waitakere United | 6 – 4 | Hawke's Bay United | 9 March 2013
2013–14 | Southern United | 0 – 10 | Auckland City | 16 February 2013
2005–06 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 8 – 1 | Hawke's Bay United | 18 February 2006
2007–08 | Waikato | 4 – 5 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 30 March 2008
2011–12 | YoungHeart Manawatu | 2 – 7 | Waitakere United | 15 January 2012

## Related competitions

[edit]

### OFC Champions League

[edit]

Main article: OFC Champions League

The OFC Champions League, also known as the O-League, is the premier football competition in Oceania. It is organized by the OFC, Oceania's football governing body. It has been organized since 2007 under the current format, following its successor, the Oceania Club Championship. Two teams from the ISPS Handa Premiership participate annually. Four O-League titles have been won by teams from New Zealand.

### ASB Charity Cup

[edit]

Main article: Charity Cup

The ASB Charity Cup was introduced in 2011 as a season opener played the weekend before the first matches of the ASB Premiership season.[26] The fixture pits the ASB Premiership Grand Final winner against the best performing New Zealand team in the OFC Champions League.[26] However, when the same team fills both categories as Auckland City did in 2014 and 2015 the ASB Premiership runner-up qualifies for Charity Cup.[27]

Year  | Winner  | Score  | Runner-up

|
|
|

2011  | Auckland City | 3–2  | Waitakere United
2012  | Waitakere United | 2–1  | Auckland City
2013  | Auckland City | 4–1  | Waitakere United
2014  | Team Wellington | 2–2

(4–3 PSO)

| Auckland City
2015  | Auckland City | 3–0  | Team Wellington
2016  | Auckland City | 3–1  | Team Wellington
2017  | Team Wellington | 3–1  | Auckland City FC
2018  | Auckland City | 4–3  | Team Wellington

ASB Phoenix Challenge

The 2010–11 season saw the introduction of the ASB Challenge Series. This was an individual friendly competition in which the eight Premiership teams competed against a reserve team attached to Wellington Phoenix, a New Zealand-based team playing in the Australian A-League. The ASB Phoenix Challenge was discontinued after the 2010–11 season but reinstated for 2012–2013, its last appearance.

White Ribbon Cup

Main article: White Ribbon Cup

The White Ribbon Cup, is a knockout cup competition run by New Zealand Football. The 2011–12 season will be the inaugural season of the NZF Cup.

It was established in 2011 to provide regular football for the six clubs not participating in the Oceania Champions League and runs in conjunction with the ISPS Handa Premiership regular season.[28]

Season  | Winner  | Score  | Runner-up

|
|
|

2011–12  | Team Wellington | 6–1  | Waikato FC

### National Youth League

[edit]

Main article: National Youth League (New Zealand)

New Zealand Football additionally ran the National Youth League, a competition for the youth teams for each of the clubs in the New Zealand Football Championship. It was held between October and December, and consisted of each team playing each other once; the fixture list mirroring that of the senior league. The team with the most points at the end of the season became the champions. The final champions were the youth team of Auckland City.[29] After a review by New Zealand Football of all their national competitions,[30] it was decided to end the national youth competition with its last season being 2019.[30][31] In the last season of the competition, Auckland City won its seventh title as well as winning three in a row from 2017 to 2019 to finish as champions of the competition.[32]

## See also

[edit]

* Football in New Zealand
* New Zealand National Soccer League
* National Women's League
* Chatham Cup
* Kate Sheppard Cup
* Auckland Derby

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football. 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
2. ^ "REGULATION 10: NATIONAL LEAGUE" (PDF). NZFootball.co.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
3. ^ "Black year for New Zealand after All Whites loss". Access My Library. 29 December 2004. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
4. ^ Brown, Michael (14 February 2005). "National service". Official Team Wellington Website. Herald on Sunday. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
5. ^ "OlĂŠ Football Academy OlĂŠ Football Academy Partners with Eastern Suburbs AFCÂ". Olefootballacademy.co.nz. 25 November 2019.
6. ^ "New soccer franchises revealed". TVNZ. 6 April 2004. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
7. ^ "Five chase NZFC licence vacancy". Sports Web. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
8. ^ "NZF signs its biggest sponsorship deal". Stuff.co.nz. 2 September 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
9. ^ "Manawatu dumped from ASB Premiership". TVNZ. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
10. ^ Holloway, Bruce (18 November 2013). "Making sense of the Wanderers SC name". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
11. ^ "Expanded ASB Premiership confirmed". The New Zealand Herald. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
12. ^ "Team Wellington claim title". Stuff. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
13. ^ "New trio to join ASB Premiership". New Zealand Football. 16 December 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
14. ^ "Lift off for Stirling Sports Premiership". New Zealand Football. 26 September 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
15. ^ "ISPS Handa Premiership announced". New Zealand Football. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
16. ^ a b "Premiership concluded, Auckland City champions". New Zealand Football. 18 March 2020.
17. ^ a b "Auckland City FC declared champions". Auckland City FC. 18 March 2020.
18. ^ a b "REPORT Team Wellington crowned 2020/21 ISPS Handa Men's Premiership champions". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
19. ^ a b Voerman, Andrew (31 March 2019). "Callum McCowatt stars as Eastern Suburbs win national men's football league final". Stuff. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
20. ^ a b "ASB Premiership Team of the Decade Competition". New Zealand Football. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
21. ^ a b c "Jordan named ASB Premiership Player of the Decade". The New Zealand Herald. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
22. ^ "Panel picks ASB Premiership Goalkeeper of the Decade". New Zealand Football. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
23. ^ "Panel picks ASB Premiership Defender of the Decade". New Zealand Football. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
24. ^ "Panel picks ASB Premiership Midfielder of the Decade". New Zealand Football. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
25. ^ "Panel picks ASB Premiership Striker of the Decade". New Zealand Football. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
26. ^ a b "Charity Cup clash for Auckland rivals". aucklandfootball.org.nz. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
27. ^ "Grand Finalists meet in ASB Charity Cup". New Zealand Football. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
28. ^ Hallett, David (30 November 2011). "Canterbury United's Kamo unlikely for first round". The Press. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
29. ^ "NYL – Auckland City claim title". Nzfootball.co.nz. 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
30. ^ a b "National competitions review – The way forward". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
31. ^ Hepburn, Steve (2 November 2019). "Southern Utd's future looks assured under new league setup". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
32. ^ "Vollenhoven seals three-in-a-row". Auckland City FC. Retrieved 16 March 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* ISPS Handa Premiership official website
* NZ Football official website
* RSSSF.com – New Zealand – List of Champions

* v
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New Zealand Football Championship

Seasons|

* 2004–05
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* 2020–21

Current clubs|

* Auckland City
* Canterbury United
* Eastern Suburbs
* Hamilton Wanderers
* Hawke's Bay United
* Team Wellington
* Waitakere United
* Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Former clubs|

* Southern United
* Tasman United
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* Wanderers SC
* YoungHeart Manawatu

Related|

* Chatham Cup
* White Ribbon Cup
* OFC Champions League
* National Youth League

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New Zealand National Soccer Leagues

National Soccer League|

* 1970
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Superclub League|

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National Summer Soccer League|

* 1996
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New Zealand Island Soccer Leagues|

* 1999

New Zealand National Soccer League|

* 2000
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New Zealand Football Championship|

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New Zealand National League|

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Top-level football leagues of Oceania (OFC)

Current|

* American Samoa
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* New Caledonia
* New Zealand
* Niue†
* Papua New Guinea
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* Tahiti
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* Vanuatu (Port Vila, rest of country)

Non-recognized|

* Palau

† Associated members

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Association football in New Zealand

New Zealand Football

National teams|

| Men|

* National team (All Whites)
* B
* Olympic (U-23)
* U-20
* U-17

|

Women|

* National team (Football Ferns)
* U-20
* U-17

League system|

| Men (level 1)|

* New Zealand National League
* New Zealand Football Championship (defunct)
* National Soccer League (defunct)

|

Men (level 2)|

* Central League
* Northern League
* Southern League

Men (level 3)|

* Canterbury Premiership
* Central League 2
* NRFL Championship
* Southern Premier

Men (level 4)|

* Canterbury Championship
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* Western Premiership
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* Donald Gray Memorial Cup
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* Nelson Bays Premiership Division 1
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Men (level 5)|

* NRF League One
* Southland Division 1
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* Capital Division 1
* Horizons Premiership
* Pacific Premiership
* Taranaki Premiership
* Eastern League 1
* Nelson Bays Division 2
* Marlborough Division 2
* Mainland Division 1
* South Canterbury Division 2
* Otago Division 2

Men (level 6)|

* Northland Division 1
* NRF Championship Division 1
* WaiBop Championship
* Capital Division 2
* Taranaki Championship
* Manawatu Championship
* Whanganui Roly Taylor Championship
* Hawkes Bay Division 2
* Mainland Division 2
* Otago Division 3
* Southland Division 2
* Unaffiliated West Coast Senior Football

Women|

* National Women's League
* Capital Football W-League
* NRFL Women's Premiership
* Women's South Island League
* NRFL Women's Championship

Youth|

* Youth National League

Domestic cups|

| Men|

* Chatham Cup
* Charity Cup
* White Ribbon Cup

|

Women|

* Kate Sheppard Cup

Awards|

* Jack Batty Memorial Cup
* Maia Jackman Trophy
* New Zealand Footballer of the Year
* New Zealand Football Golden Boot (2007–2021) New Zealand Football Golden Boot (2021–)

Lists|

* All-time Table
* Champions
* Clubs
* International footballers
* Foreign players
* Venues
* Women's association football in New Zealand

* League system
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* Seasons
* Records

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