Disappointment has turned to joy for Birkenhead United’s women’s title-winning team, who will play at a higher level after all.
The team won last season’s NRF Women’s Conference but appeared to have missed promotion to the Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship when they lost a one-off promotion play-off 3-1 to WaiBOP W-League champions Melville United.
However, the partnership formed by two Bay of Plenty teams for next season has created an opening in the Championship.
READ MORE: Groundbreaking partnership aims to boost female football in Bay of Plenty >>>>
Northern Region Football’s announcement says: “With WaiBOP’s Tauranga City and Otumoetai combining to compete as Tauranga Moana, a vacancy has been created in the Championship next year.
“NRF Women’s Conference 2023 winners, Birkenhead United have accepted this position, and the competition will start on April 6.”
The decision to include Birkenhead United means the 2024 Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship will include Melville United (promoted via play-off) and Northern Rovers (relegated from Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League).
Main photo: Last season’s Conference champions Birkenhead United. Photo credit: Birkenhead United.
READ MORE: Melville United win promotion to Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship >>>>
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