NZ Football

Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP)

The New Zealand Football RSTPs lay down the binding rules for football in New Zealand concerning the status of Players, their eligibility to participate in Organised Football, and their transfer between Clubs.

The objectives of these Regulations are to:

Develop and protect the game of football in New Zealand in all its forms for participants of all abilities and skill;
Ensure football is regulated in a consistent and coordinated manner across New Zealand, its Regional Associations and Clubs;
Ensure young Players are adequately protected; and
Align NZF Regulations with the Statues and Regulations of FIFA, including ensuring that NZF has included in its Regulations the mandatory regulations and principles as required by FIFA in the FIFA RSTP.

Registrations

As per NZ Football’s RSTPs, it is mandatory that all Players be confirmed for their club in the National Registration System prior to taking the field of play in an Official Match
As of 17 February 2016, the registration period will no longer be in effect. The period for which Players may register and be deemed eligible to play will be determined by the relevant competition regulations
A Player that is not active in the relevant season on the National Registration System and appears for their Club in any Official Match is deemed to have played illegitimately and is therefore ineligible. Sanctions may be imposed on Players and/or Clubs
A Player may only be registered with one Club at a time
A Player may only play for the Club for which they are registered with; unless they also play for:
A Futsal Club or centre
A school team that is not playing in the same competition as their Club’s team(s)
Any other team affiliated to a Federation, which plays in a competition not controlled by the Federation and does not play in the same competition as their Club. For example the Sunday League

Transfers

As of 1 December 2018, Regulation 9 of the RSTP was amended to address the specific matter of mid-season movement of Players between clubs, eliminating the term 'transfer' in reference to amatuer Players.
It is the responsibility of an amatuer Player to request the termination of their registration at a club. Upon termination, the Player may then register at a new club.
The term transfer within New Zealand only refers to that of International Transfers (in and out of New Zealand).
International Transfers are to be dealt with in accordance with the FIFA Regulations

International Transfers (ITC)

In accordance with the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (FIFA RSTP), an international clearance is required for any player aged 10 and over who wishes to register for a Club in New Zealand and has previously been registered for a Club abroad; or who is a foreign national seeking to register for the first time in this country.

Please refer to the International Transfer Flowchart below to discover what kind of ITC that you may need.