A rule change will enable the Wellington Phoenix to enter the Chatham Cup and the Kate Sheppard Cup for the first time this year.
However, the regulations for the 2024 editions of New Zealand’s premier men’s and women’s knockout competitions stipulate that any Phoenix team must be able to meet the requirement of all players having amateur status.
This will exclude A-League players but open the way for the Phoenix to enter cup teams with players from their reserve and academy teams.
In a memorandum to clubs, NZ Football said the decision to integrate the Phoenix into the national cups followed consultation with key stakeholders.
Main photo: Chatham Cup (left) and Kate Sheppard Cup … Phoenix can enter for the first time. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Other regulation changes for the cups include:
- Teams can now make an additional substitution and substitution window if games run into extra time.
- Champion teams will be presented with 35 medals, an increase from 25, to reflect the larger size of squads and support staff.
Key dates
Entries close for Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup
Thursday April 4, 2024
Preliminary round, both competitions
Weekend of April 26-28, 2024
First round, both competitions
Weekend of May 10-13, 2024
Second round, both competitions
Weekend of May 31-June 2, 2024
Third round, both competitions
Weekend of June 14-16, 2024
Fourth round, Chatham Cup
Weekend of July 5-7, 2024
Quarter-finals, Kate Sheppard Cup
Weekend of July 5-7, 2024
Quarter-finals, Chatham Cup
Weekend of July 26-28, 2024
Semi-finals, both competitions
Weekend of August 16-18, 2024
Finals, both competitions
Sunday September 8, 2024
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