Northern League (New Zealand)
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Founded | 1965 |
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Country | ![]() |
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) |
Number of teams | 12 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Relegation to | Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1 |
Current champions | Onehunga Sports (2017) |
Most championships | Bay Olympic (4), Takapuna AFC (4), Central United (4) |
TV partners | Prime (New Zealand) FTN – Family Television Network TVNZ (Highlights only) Sky Network Television (Playoffs only) |
Website | Auckland Football Federation |
Current: Lotto NRFL Premier
Federation Logo |
The Northern Region Football League, currently known as Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier for sponsorship reasons, is a professional/semi-professional New Zealand association football league competition that is run by the Auckland Football Federation.
The NRFL competition is at the first level of the New Zealand Football pyramid, alongside the franchise-based ASB Premiership, and includes football clubs located in the northern part of the North Island, New Zealand from the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty provinces.
History
The first four years (1965–1969)
In the years 1965–1969, before the launch of a National Soccer League, the Northern League was the highest level competition available to the clubs in the northern region. When the National Soccer League was created in 1970, the Northern League became one of its feeder leagues.
In 1997 and 1998, when the National Soccer League operated as an invitation-only summer league, the Northern League again became the highest level club competition available to the clubs from the northern provinces.
Present day
With the demise of the club-based National Soccer League in 2004, the Northern League, now known as Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Men's Premier, became part of the highest level of football league competition in New Zealand for the third time in its history. The league runs between the New Zealand autumn and winter months (April to September), while the ASB Premiership runs between the New Zealand spring and summer months (October to March).
Current Northern League structure
- NRFL Men's Premier League (this page)
- NRFL Division 1
- NRFL Division 2
Sponsors
The following list is of the official sponsors of the League, unless otherwise noted.
Current
Kia Motors 2010–2012, (marketing partner)
Lotto Sport Italia 2008–2012, (primary sponsor)
ASB Bank 2010–2012, (marketing partner)
Prime (New Zealand) 2010–2012, (TV channel), (TV partner)
FTN – Family Television Network 2010–2012, (TV channel), (TV partner)
TVNZ 2010–2012,(TV channel), (official TV sponsor)
Sky Network Television 2009–present, (TV channel), (TV partner – For national & international broadcasting)
Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier clubs – 2017
Club | Location | Home Ground(s) |
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Bay Olympic | New Lynn | Olympic Park Sports Ground (3,500) |
Birkenhead United | Birkenhead | Shepherds Park (10,000) |
Central United | Auckland | Kiwitea Street Stadium (5,000) |
East Coast Bays AFC | North Shore | Bay City Park Stadium (4,000) |
Eastern Suburbs AFC | Kohimarama | Madills Farm |
Forrest Hill Milford | Forrest Hill | Becroft Park |
Glenfield Rovers | Glenfield | McFetridge Park (2,000) |
Hamilton Wanderers | Hamilton | Porritt Stadium (2,700) |
Manurewa AFC | Manurewa | Memorial Park |
Onehunga Sports | Onehunga | Waikaraka Park Sports Ground (3,000) |
Three Kings United | Three Kings | Keith Hay Park Sports Ground (5,000) |
Waitakere City F.C. | Waitakere City | Fred Taylor Park Stadium (10,000) |
Past champions
Performance by club
Club | Location | Titles | Last Title |
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Bay Olympic | New Lynn | 4 | 2011 |
Central United | Auckland | 4 | 2016 |
Takapuna City | Takapuna | 4 | 1988 |
Glenfield Rovers | Glenfield | 3 | 2014 |
East Coast Bays | North Shore | 3 | 2013 |
Mount Wellington | Auckland | 3 | 1997 |
Hamilton Wanderers | Hamilton | 3 | 1984 |
Eastern Suburbs | Kohimarama | 3 | 2015 |
Melville United | Melville | 2 | 2009 |
North Shore United | North Shore | 2 | 2001 |
Tauranga City | Tauranga | 2 | 2000 |
Mount Maunganui | Tauranga | 2 | 1994 |
Papatoetoe | Papatoetoe | 2 | 1991 |
Notable players
This list consists of Past or present notable players that have either represented the New Zealand national team at the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games. This list also consist of players who have either played for New Zealand Knights FC or have played in the FIFA Club World Cup with a New Zealand football club:
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