The 11th season of the national league kicks off on Sunday with a full national round robin and a revised play-off system, replacing the North and South regional play-offs of previous seasons.
The new format of the national Women’s League was made possible through financial support from FIFA as part of their Women’s Football Development Programme.
OFC women’s development officer Nicola Demaine says FIFA is offering support to establish and improve women’s football competitions around the world and she’s pleased to see Oceania countries reaping the benefits.
“Other countries receiving the programme in the region are Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea and it is hoped by strengthening the national competitions the quality of national teams will improve,” Demaine says.
“The 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada will be the first with 24 teams, increased from 16. FIFA women’s development support programmes are aimed at ensuring the quality of the eight new teams entering in the Women’s World Cup.”
The full round robin format and the top three play-off system used this season mark a return to the format used between 2002 and 2007, after four season of a conference-based format.
“The full league format adds variety and allows talented players in any team to test themselves against the best players no matter who they play for,” New Zealand Football women’s development manager Emma Humphries says.
“In that way, it helps improve the pathway and with U-20 scouts at games around the country I gives us a better indication of a player’s ability and potential.”
A New Zealand U-17 selection will take the eighth spot alongside New Zealand’s seven federations with Jitka Klimkova’s charges building towards next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
Development aims are also helped by the requirement for teams to field five U-19 players on the field at all times, a rule carried-over from last season.
While squads are due to be confirmed later this week, a number of Football Ferns look set to play, some returning to their roots after forays into professional football overseas.
Northern Football begin their quest for a third successive title at home to Football South in a Parrs Park double header that also features the New Zealand U-17 selection taking on a Mainland side on a high after local club side Coastal Spirit won the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup in September.
Capital Football and six time champions Auckland clash at Petone’s Memorial Park while Central Football host Waikato-Bay of Plenty at Skoglund Park in Palmerston North.
To see the full schdule for the ASB Women’s League click here
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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