AUCKLAND – All eight existing franchises will suit up for a revamped 2008-09 New Zealand Football Championship that features a reduced regular season and an extended playoff series.

While the league will shorten from three full rounds to two, the playoffs – previously involving the top three teams – have been expanded to a top four home-and-away semi-final system followed by a one-off Grand Final.

New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading says the goodwill of franchises and new format for this season ensured the league – about to enter its fifth season – could navigate the sudden downturn in funding without having to drop teams from the competition.

“The current economic environment along with a reduction in trust funding has hit some franchises more than others, but all of them have worked together with NZF to find the best possible solution for this season,” Glading said.

“We are however extremely grateful that the Southern Trust has continued to show their support for the league by re-signing as the league’s principal supporter.”

After a series of conference calls and meetings over the past fortnight between franchise heads and NZF officials, franchises were given until midnight on Wednesday to confirm their participation and submit feedback on tabled options.

The NZF board then met on Thursday afternoon and ratified a new format which Glading says offered plenty of positives for football fans.

“Two rounds produce a more focussed competition and the extended playoff has additional benefits.”

“Not only does it dangle the carrot of silverware and O-League qualification in front of more teams, the home-and-away format complete with away goals rule adds an extra dimension and marketability to the business end of the season.”

While a revised draw is still being worked through, it was likely the league would still begin on November 8 and finish with an April 4 Grand Final.

New Zealand’s two spots in next season’s O-League would still be awarded in the same way as previous years, the winner of the round-robin would claim one while the second would be awarded to the grand final winner. If the same team wins both the league and grand final the second O-League place would be awarded to the league runner-up.

New Zealand Football indicated that the changes were only for the 2008-09 season and that all parties had committed to a full review of the league structure, beginning in January.

Story provided by NZF Media.

For more information visit www.nzsoccer.com