By Terry Maddaford
A 10-team national league will return to New Zealand soccer pitches next winter.
The "national club championship" will kick off on March 25-26 for the top seven clubs from this year's North Island League and the top three from the South Island League, including Chatham Cup victors Dunedin Technical.
The
top four clubs after the 18-round home and away league will go through to the play-offs and a grand final. The bottom club will play a promotion/relegation game against the winner of the federation/regional championships.
As an incentive to score more goals, teams will earn an extra competition point for scoring three or more in a match. If a team wins by three or more goals they will earn another bonus point.
The new club championship will run for not less than three years but clubs must meet certain criteria, including a solid player base, a good playing surface and a sound financial record, before any entry will be accepted.
While no details of prizemoney - or the competition's sponsor - have been announced, clubs will have to pay $25,000 a year with a guarantee of $75,000 over three years. Of the entry fee, $5000 a year from each club will fund the team representing New Zealand in the Oceania club championship.
New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bob Patterson said a league manager/commissioner will be appointed to run the competition which will cost about $500,000 a year to administer - including about $380,000 for airfares.
"Clubs will pay $200,000 of that with the rest coming from sponsors," said Patterson. "The grand final will be played mid to late September followed by the season-ending Chatham Cup final. While there is no provision for prizemoney at this stage, the incentive is to win a place in the Oceania club championship and with it the right to chase a place in the world final."
The 10 teams for the initial championship are: Central United, Waitakere City, Napier City Rovers, Mt Wellington, Miramar Rangers, Metro United, Manawatu AFC, Dunedin Technical, Nelson Suburbs, Woolston WMC.
