Auckland Football Federation has today re-affirmed their commitment to the strategic direction of the Lotto Northern Regional Football League (NRFL).

AFF Board Chairman Glyn Taylor said the outcomes of the Lotto NRFL Review process were marked by a mutual recognition of both the status of the NRFL competition and the importance of a collective approach to solidifying its future.

“The Lotto NRFL plays a vital part in the landscape of our game and we remain committed to working with our clubs and stakeholders to build a sustainable competition structure that will deliver positive outcomes to the regional development of players, clubs and officials.

“The Lotto NRFL Working Group meeting on September 12 comprised CEOs, Football Development Managers and Competitions Managers from each of Auckland Football, Northern Football, WaiBOP Football and discussed proposed changes and club feedback with a view to making recommendations for board approval.

Coming out of the meeting is a range of decisions that have been ratified as part of the strategic review process.

“All sports codes have to make tough calls and of course we’re no different. From time to time decisions to change things may need to be made but they are decisions that will ultimately lead to a stronger competition,” said Taylor.

Recognising the important process undertaken by the Lotto NRFL Working Group, the seven core outcomes for the Lotto NRFL are:

1. Lotto NRFL League Purpose defined:

• “Provide a regional competition to develop the most talented domestic footballers, referees and coaches and provide a pathway to national and international honours.”

2. Removal of Division 2 Reserves Competition

• Lotto NRFL Division 2 Reserves will remain as status quo until a decision is made by NZ Football regarding promotion relegation to National League competition in 2019/2020.

3. Removal of Division 2 Competition

• Lotto NRFL Division 2 remain as status quo until a decision is made by NZ Football regarding promotion relegation to National League competition in 2019/2020.

4. Men’s Premier and Division 1 Reserves Competitions 2019

• Lotto NRFL Men’s Premier and Division 1 Reserves competitions will move to age restricted format of U-23 competition with an allowance for 5 overage players to be named in a match day squad of 16.

5. Women’s Premier League

Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier Division and Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier Division Reserve leagues remain 9-team competitions for 2018. The AFF/NFF Conference also continues. In 2019 the following structure is to be presented to clubs for formal feedback/comment for 2019 season implementation:

• NRFL Women’s Premier League (W-League)
• NRFL Women’s Premier League Reserves (W-League Reserves)
• NRFL Women’s Division 1
• No NRFL Women’s Division 1 Reserves competition (to earn promotion to Premier League, clubs must have suitable youth and/or senior team in place already to take a place in NRFL Premier League Reserves competition.

6. NZ Football Licensing Criteria introduction

• 2018 – Introduction of C License Criteria (Sporting Criteria only) for Men’s and Women’s Premier League participation.
• 2019 – Introduction of Full C License Criteria (with opportunity for appropriate dispensations if required) for Men’s and Women’s Premier League participation.
• 2019 – Introduction of C License Criteria (Sporting Criteria only) for Men’s Division 1.
• 2020 – Introduction of Full C License Criteria (with opportunity for appropriate dispensations if required) for Men’s Division 1 participation.
• 2020 – Introduction of C License Criteria (Sporting Criteria only) for Men’s Division 2.

7. NRFL Administration

• Entry cost breakdown – cost structure to be altered to reflect per team participation in a Division with pricing structure appropriate tiered for Premier League, Division 1 and Division 2 given outlay of resources – primarily referees and promotion.
• NRFL League Manager – new position within AFF staff structure to administer NRFL.
• NRFL Administration matters – all relevant NRFL Administration matters, including 2018 draw and regulations to be finalised and distributed to participating clubs by end of November 2017.

Auckland Football Federation in conjunction with Northern Football Federation and WaiBOP Football Federation will begin implementing these decisions with immediate effect.