2023 NRFL Leagues

The 2023 NRFL Leagues is the 59th and 57th seasons respectively of the NRFL Championship and NRFL Conference, football competitions in New Zealand. Established in 1965, currently twelve teams compete in the Championship while 8 teams compete in the Northern and Southern sections of the Conference League.

NRFL Leagues
Season2023
← 2022
2024 →

Northern League
Main article: 2023 New Zealand National League § 2023 Northern League

The Northern League sits above the two NRFL Divisions and is also overseen by Northern Region Football, despite being run by New Zealand Football as part of the New Zealand National League.

Twelve teams are competing in the league – the top ten teams from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the 2022 NRFL Division 1. The promoted teams are West Coast Rangers and Manurewa. This is both Manurewa's first season in the Northern League. West Coast have returned at the first time of asking after being relegated in 2021.[1] They replaced Waiheke United (one season) and North Shore United (two seasons).

Northern League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Eastern Suburbs 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 6 Winner of Northern League and qualification to National League Championship
2 Auckland City 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 Qualification to National League Championship
3 Manurewa 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 3
4 West Coast Rangers 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3
5 Bay Olympic 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3
6 Auckland United 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
7 Manukau United 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0
8 Melville United 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
9 Takapuna 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
10 Birkenhead United 1 0 0 1 2 4 −2 0
11 Hamilton Wanderers 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0 Relegation to NRFL Championship
12 Western Springs 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5 0
Updated to match(es) played on 31 March 2023. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[2]

Championship
NRFL Championship
Season2023
Dates25 March 2023 - 2 September 2023
← 2022
2024 →

Championship teams

Twelve teams are competing in the league – eight teams from the previous season, the two teams relegated from the 2022 Northern League and two teams promoted from the 2022 NRFL Division 2. The relegated teams are Waiheke United and North Shore United,[3] while the promoted teams are Hibiscus Coast and Ngaruawahia United.[4][5] West Coast Rangers were promoted alongside Manurewa, while Albany United and Waitemata were relegated.[6][7][8]

Team Location Stadium 2022 season
East Coast Bays Northcross, Auckland Bay City Park 4th
Ellerslie Ellerslie, Auckland Michaels Avenue 7th
Fencibles United Pakuranga, Auckland Riverhills Domain 9th
Hibiscus Coast Stanmore Bay, Auckland Stanmore Bay Park 1st in Division 2 (promoted)
Metro Mount Albert, Auckland Phyllis Street 8th
Mount Albert-Ponsonby Mount Albert, Auckland Anderson Park 5th
Ngaruawahia United Ngāruawāhia Centennial Park 2nd in Division 2 (promoted)
North Shore United Devonport, Auckland Allen Hill Stadium 12th in Northern League (relegated)
Northern Rovers Glenfield, Auckland McFetridge Park 6th
Onehunga-Mangere United Māngere Bridge, Auckland Māngere Domain 10th
Tauranga City Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Links Avenue 3rd
Waiheke United Waiheke Island, Auckland Onetangi Sports Park 11th in Northern League (relegated)

Championship personnel and kits
Team Manager[9] Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
East Coast Bays New Zealand Joe Hall[10] New Zealand Louie Caunter[11] Lotto Sport Italia None
Ellerslie Ben Fletcher[12] Seb Poelman[13] Lotto Sport Italia Trillian Trust
Fencibles United Marty Rodwell[14] Nike New World Howick
Hibiscus Coast Nathan Cranney[15] Lotto Sport Italia RNB Transport
Metro New Zealand Scott MacKay[16]
Mount Albert-Ponsonby New Zealand Darren White[17] Lewis Black[18] Lotto Sport Italia Woodview Construction
Ngaruawahia United Kyle Park[19] Joma None
North Shore United New Zealand Dylan Burns[20] Nike Atlas Concrete
Northern Rovers New Zealand Paul Gothard[21] New Zealand Dion Buckingham[22] Lotto Sport Italia None
Onehunga-Mangere United New Zealand Tim Ragg[23] Nike None
Tauranga City Barry Gardiner[24] Adidas None
Waiheke United Sam Negash[25] Nike Fullers 360

Championship table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 East Coast Bays 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6 Promotion to Northern League
2 Ellerslie 2 2 0 0 5 2 +3 6
3 Mount Albert-Ponsonby 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 6
4 Hibiscus Coast 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
5 Metro 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 3
6 Northern Rovers 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
7 Waiheke United 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
8 Onehunga-Mangere United 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
9 Ngaruawahia United 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2 1
10 North Shore United 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
11 Tauranga City 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
12 Fencibles United 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0 Relegation to NRFL Conference
Updated to match(es) played on 1 April 2023. Source: Northern Region Football[26]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[27]

Championship results table
Home \ Away ECB ELL FEN HBC MET MAP NGA NSU NTR OHM TGA WHU
East Coast Bays — 3–1
Ellerslie — 2–1
Fencibles United — 1–3
Hibiscus Coast —
Metro —
Mount Albert-Ponsonby —
Ngaruawahia United —
North Shore United 0–2 —
Northern Rovers — 1–0
Onehunga-Mangere United —
Tauranga City 0–2 —
Waiheke United —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: UlitmateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Northern Conference
NRFL Northern Conference
Season2023
Dates25 March 2023 - 2 September 2023
← 2022
2024 →

Northern Conference teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – the top six northern teams from Division 2 last season and the two teams relegated from the 2022 NRFL Division 1. The relegated teams are Albany United and Waitemata.[6] Although Central United won the 2022 NRF Championship, they were unable to be promoted due to their MoU with Auckland City. As a result, Oratia United were reprieved of relegation.[28][29][30][8]

Team Location Stadium 2022 season
Albany United Albany, Auckland Rosedale Park 11th in Division 1 (relegated)
Beachlands Maraetai Beachlands, Auckland Te Puru Park 3rd
Bucklands Beach Bucklands Beach Lloyd Elsmore Park 11th in Division 1 (relegated)
Franklin United Drury Drury Sports Grounds 4th
Northland Morningside, Whangarei Morningside Park 7th
Oratia United Oratia, Auckland Parrs Park 10th[lower-alpha 1]
Waitemata Beachlands, Auckland Te Puru Park 3rd
West Auckland Kiwi True Blues Kelston, Auckland Brains Park 1st in NRF Conference (promoted)
  1. Oratia United were reprieved from relegation as Central United were unable to gain promotion due to their MoU with Auckland City.[31][32]

Northern Conference table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 West Auckland 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 3 Qualification for Conference play-offs
2 Albany United 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
3 Beachlands Maraetai 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
4 Bucklands Beach 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
5 Franklin United 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
6 Northland 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
7 Waitemata 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
8 Oratia United 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0 Relegation to NRF League One
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: Northern Region Football[33]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[34]

Northern Conference results table
Home \ Away ALB BLM BUC FRA NOR ORA WTM WAK ALB BLM BUC FRA NOR ORA WTM WAK
Albany United — 3–0 — — — —
Beachlands Maraetai — — — — — —
Bucklands Beach — 2–1 — — — —
Franklin United 1–2 — — — — —
Northland — — — — — —
Oratia United — 0–4 — — — —
Waitemata — — — — — —
West Auckland — — — — — —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: UlitmateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Southern Conference
NRFL Southern Conference
Season2023
Dates25 March 2023 - September 2023
← 2022
2024 →

Southern Conference teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – the top two southern teams from Division 2 last season, and the top 6 from the 2022 WaiBOP Premiership.[35][36][8]

Team Location Stadium 2022 season
Cambridge Cambridge John Kerkhof Park 8th
Claudelands Rovers Claudelands, Hamilton Galloway Park 9th
Ngongotahā Lakes Ngongotahā, Rotorua Tamarahi Reserve 6th in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)[upper-alpha 1]
Otumoetai Matua, Tauranga Fergusson Park 2nd in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)
Papamoa Papamoa Beach, Papamoa Gordon Spratt Reserve 4th in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)
Taupo Tauhara, Taupō Crown Park 3rd in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)
Te Awamutu Te Awamutu The Stadium 5th in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)
Waikato Unicol Silverdale, Hamilton Jansen Park 1st in WaiBOP Premiership (promoted)
  1. Ngongotaha AFC finished 6th last season. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lakes FC at the end of the 2022 season to have a combined team for the 2023 season onwards.[37]

Southern Conference table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Taupo 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 3 Qualification for Conference play-offs
2 Claudelands Rovers 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3
3 Waikato Unicol 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3
4 Te Awamutu 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 3
5 Otumoetai 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0
6 Cambridge 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0
7 Ngongotahā Lakes 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0
8 Papamoa 1 0 0 1 1 5 −4 0 Relegation to WaiBOP League One
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: Northern Region Football[38]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss[39]

Southern Conference results table
Home \ Away CAM CLR NGO OTU PAP TAU TAW WKU CAM CLR NGO OTU PAP TAU TAW WKU
Cambridge — 1–4 — — — —
Claudelands Rovers — — — — — —
Ngongotahā Lakes — — — — — —
Otumoetai — — — — — —
Papamoa — — — — — —
Taupo 5–1 — — — — —
Te Awamutu 3–2 — — — — —
Waikato Unicol 4–1 — — — — —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2023. Source: UltimateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

References
  1. "Northern League and LOTTO NRFL results confirmed". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. "National League Regulations 2023: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. "Auckland City's 31-match unbeaten streak comes to an end". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. "Day of drama as late goals earn promotion for Coast and Ngaruawahia". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  5. "In pictures: Hibiscus Coast win LOTTO NRFL Division 2". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  6. "Clubs finish Lotto NRFL first division season with goalscoring flourish". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  7. "LOTTO NRFL Video highlights: West Coast Rangers v Tauranga City". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  8. "Northern 2022". ultimatenzsoccer. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  9. "Northern League clubs shuffle coaches and build partnerships for new season". friendsoffootball.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  10. "About Us". East Coast Bays AFC. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  11. "East Coast Bays AFC is excited to announce the following signings for the 2023 NRFL Season!!!". East Coast Bays AFC Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  12. "Men's First Team & Reserves". Ellerslie AFC. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  13. "NRFL MENS PLAYER SIGNINGS". Ellerslie AFC Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  14. "Our Coaches". Fencibles United. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  15. "HBCAFC Men's Premier & Reserves". Hibiscus Coast AFC. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  16. "Scott MacKay named Metro's head coach for Lotto NRFL Premiership campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  17. "New coaching duo to lead MAP in next year's Lotto NRFL Premiership". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  18. "Lewis Black returns for 2023". Mt Albert-Ponsonby Instagram. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  19. "East Coast Bays v Ngaruawahua United". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  20. "North Shore United go into NRFL Premiership season with new coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  21. "Northern Rovers confirm coaching staff for next season's Lotto NRFL campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  22. "The men's first team are pleased to announce the signing of @dion_buckingham Dion will also lead the team as the new skipper". Northern Rovers Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  23. "Metro's Tim Ragg leaves for head coach's role at Onehunga Mangere United". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  24. "Revamped Lotto NRFL Championship begins with new faces in the dugouts". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  25. "Waiheke United names Sam Negash as coach for NRFL Championship campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  26. Northern Region Football
  27. "Northern Region Football Competition Regulations 2023: Appendix 1, Article 8 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  28. "Central United clinch NRF Men's Championship title with big win". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  29. "Final table confirmed for NRF Men's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  30. "Northern League Second Division North". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  31. "Update - LOTTO NRFL Championship and NRF League One draws released". Northern Region Football. 16 March 2023.
  32. "Relegated Oratia United get reprieve as Central United miss Conference spot". friendsoffootballnz.com. 16 March 2023.
  33. Northern Region Football
  34. "Northern Region Football Competition Regulations 2023: Appendix 1, Article 8 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  35. "All the weekend's results, scorers and updated tables at a glance". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  36. "Lotto NRFL Men's Southern Conference Fixtures 2023". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  37. "Clubs form partnership to compete in new Lotto NRFL Southern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  38. Northern Region Football
  39. "Northern Region Football Competition Regulations 2023: Appendix 1, Article 8 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
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