Defending national champions Auckland United have become the first northern club to qualify for this year’s Women’s National League.
Following last weekend’s 1-0 win against Western Springs, United are assured of finishing in the top four of the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership, even if they lose all seven remaining games.
Main photo: Auckland United after winning last year’s OFC Champions League. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
This means half of the 10 teams are confirmed for this year’s Women’s National League, with places booked for Auckland United, Wellington Phoenix reserves, Central Football, Canterbury United Pride and Southern United.
Of the northern clubs chasing qualification, West Coast Rangers can make sure of their qualification with another win in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership.
The third and fourth spots are up for grabs between Eastern Suburbs, Fencibles United, Western Springs and Hibiscus Coast.
How the Women’s National League works
Last season’s National League expanded to 10 teams, from eight participants in 2022.
The additional teams were the Wellington Phoenix’s reserves, and a third team from the lower North Island.
Last season, Capital Football fielded hybrid federation/club sides, collaborating with Wellington United and Waterside Karori. Those sides finished midtable.
Two of this year’s entrants will come from the Women’s Central League and Wellington United and Waterside Karori look the most likely qualifiers as the season passes its halfway mark.
Wellington United and Waterside Karori meet in their round 9 game on Saturday July 20.
The current Women’s Central League table:
In 2024, Central Football will again field a representative side, with trials already underway to select a squad.
READ MORE: Central Football confirm coach and player trials for Women’s National League >>>>
In the South Island, Canterbury United Pride will represent Mailand Football, and Southern United will represent Southern Football.
Canterbury United Pride will have a new head coach with the appointment of Cashmere Technical’s Shane Verma, who spent three years as an assistant to former Pride coach Alana Gunn.
Gunn has been appointed head coach for the national team heading to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic in October/November.
How to win the National League
The 10 teams play each other once in a nine-round competition.
The top two teams from the league meet in the National League grand final.
The winners of the grand final qualify to represent New Zealand at the OFC Women’s Champions League.
Auckland United became the first New Zealand club to win the OFC Champions League when they triumphed at the 2024 tournament in the Solomon Islands.
READ MORE: Auckland United crowned Oceania women’s champions after tight final >>>>
Last year’s Women’s National League
Here’s how the 2023 competition finished:
Auckland United won the grand final 2-0 against Southern United at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
READ MORE: Auckland United claim Women’s National League title with 2-0 Grand Final win >>>>
This story was first published on July 16, 2024.
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