Aotearoa’s premier footballing competition, the National League Championship, is gearing up for another big season as it prepares to kick off its much-anticipated campaign on this weekend.

With 10 teams representing the country’s top clubs from the Northern, Central and Southern Leagues, 2023 looks set to deliver thrilling matches, showcasing the nation's top talent, but who will be there come the end of the season Grand Final 26 November in Auckland?

We've previewed each club to see how they are looking ahead of the season...

Auckland City FC

Is there any displacing the incumbent champions? Auckland City FC head into the 2023 National League Championship unbeaten in the Northern League regional phase, with 19 wins, 3 draws, 64 goals scored and just 9 conceded.

They’re the reigning OFC Champion’s League winners and are set to play in the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in December, where they’ll take on the world’s best club sides. 2022 was a landmark year for Auckland City FC which saw them claim four trophies. What does 2023 have in store?

Player to watch: Ryan de Vries (Forward)

The club’s top scorer, former All White de Vries has the capability to change a game after a dominant Northern League season. Able to create goals, finish clinically and assist team-mates, the Auckland City FC forward will be a major threat as ACFC to fight to retain their title.

Head coach: Albert Riera

Opening Match: Away to Wellington Phoenix (4pm on Saturday 23 September)

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Credit: Photosport

Auckland United

A somewhat mixed bag in the Northern League for Auckland United where the team performed well to finish third and qualify for the Championship, but finished 13 points behind second-placed Eastern Suburbs.

Having lost 5 and drawn 4 of their games during the regional phase, Auckland United will be looking to convert more of those opportunities into wins as they aim to go one better than last year’s 3rd place finish in the National League Championship and qualify for the Grand Final.

Player to watch: Yousif Al-Kalisy (Midfielder)

A leading contender for the Northern League’s MVP, Auckland United’s talisman Al-Kalisy habitually turns up in the right place at the right time, providing goals and and assists during the regional phase. He is a valuable asset to the team and could be a key player this Championship season.

Head coach: Jose Figueira

Opening Match: Away to Cashmere Technical (3pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Cashmere Technical

The Southern League runners up, Cashmere Technical had a great run towards the back end of the season which saw them become the only team to beat league winners Christchurch United. That end-of-season form should fair them well as they look to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish in the National League Championship. Their haul of 66 goals in 18 Southern League games makes for a daunting prospect for opposing defences.

Player to watch: Garbhan Coughlan (Forward)

With 28 Southern League goals to his name, Coughlan has again been a prolific asset for Tech this season. The Irish-born forward has been in hot form, recognised by him being awarded the Southern League MVP title.

Head coach: Dan Schwarz

Opening Match: Home to Auckland United (3pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Credit: Photosport

Christchurch United

Southern League champions and Chatham Cup winners, Christchurch United will have their eyes firmly set on the National League Championship title to complete the treble. They are one of the form sides heading into the competition with the regional phase’s top scorer and one of the tightest defences in the league.

Christchurch United could only manage a ninth-place finish in 2022, but their ambitions will be much higher up the league this season. 

Player to watch: Sam Philip (Forward)

Philip scored 29 goals during the regional phase of the Southern League this season, in just 18 games. The young forward has had a great impact in the team this season, bagging more than a goal and a half per game.

Head coach: Paul Ifill

Opening Match: Away to Eastern Suburbs (3pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Eastern Suburbs

Northern League runners up, Eastern Suburbs enjoyed an incredible 2023 league campaign, winning 17 games and drawing five in an undefeated season that saw them fall agonisingly short in the last few weeks. After missing out on qualification last season, Suburbs will be going all out to prove this is the stage they belong on.

Player to watch: Francis de Vries (Defender)

All Whites Francis de Vries returned to New Zealand from Sweden after suffering a long-term injury but his return at Suburbs has been impressive. This may be a rare chance to see de Vries in a Suburbs shirt before he turns pro again. 

Head coach: Kane WintersgilI

Opening Match: Home to Christchurch United (3pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Manurewa AFC

This time last season Manurewa weren’t even playing Northern League football so it has been a rapid rise to qualify for the Championship from the South Auckland side. Having conceded the most goals of all qualifying teams, the South Auckland club will look to sure up their defence as they take their place among the country’s best club teams.

Player to watch: Agustín Nicolás Contratti (Defender)

Monty Patterson’s goals have been key for the team during the Northern League but come the Championship former Manukau and Hamilton Wanderers defender’s Agustín Contratti experience will be vital in Manurewa’s debut National League Championship season.

Head coach: Paul Marshall

Opening Match: Home to Wellington Olympic (1pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Napier City Rovers

A third-place finish in the Central League saw Napier City Rovers advance to the National League Championship again. Winning five of their final seven games, it was that late season form, only losing one game to eventual league champions Wellington Olympic AFC in July and August, that saw Rovers advance to the Championship round. They will be hoping for an improvement on their eight-place finish in 2022.

Player to watch: Deri Corfe (Winger)

English-born winger, Deri Corfe’s 15 goals this season helped his team to a third-place finish and made him one of the leading contenders for the league’s MVP award. Corfe’s goals, and his contribution to the team’s creativity, will be pivotal to Napier City Rovers’ chances in the next stage of the competition.

Head coach: Bill Robertson

Opening Match: Home to Petone (2pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Petone FC

Petone Football Club’s fourth-place finish in the Central League was enough to secure them a spot in the National League Championship in 2023. It was a great gift for the club who celebrated their 125^th birthday this year. Petone FC will hope to continue the party in the Championship and put the cherry on top the cake in this milestone year.

Player to watch: Matthew Brazier (Forward)

Matthew Brazier had an outstanding Central League season, winning both the league Golden Boot and MVP awards. The hope in the Hutt will be that his league form continues in the Championship.

Head coach: Ryan Edwards

Opening Match: Away to Napier City Rovers (2pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Central League runners up, Wellington Phoenix Reserves will look to improve on their sixth-place finish in the National League Championship 2022. Blessed with a young and talented squad, the Phoenix will hope to deliver the results in 2023 and continue the pipeline of players from their National League team to the A-League side.

Player to watch: Joshua Tollervey (Midfielder)

19-year-old Tollervey bagged himself 13 goals so far this season, from midfield, and will be looking kick on during the Championship. 

Head coach: Chris Greenacre

Opening Match: Home to Auckland City FC (4pm on Saturday 23 September)

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Credit: Photosport

Wellington Olympic AFC

Beaten 2022 Grand Finalists, Wellington Olympic AFC will be looking to go one better this year. They finished top of the Central League in 2023, where they were the leading goal scorers with 79 goals. The Greeks look primed to mount a strong challenge to all who come before them.

Player to watch: Jack-Henry Sinclair (Winger)

With four players scoring 11 or more goals this season, picking just one player from Olympic to watch is difficult but Jack-Henry Sinclair again staked his claim as one of the best players in the competition. Stopping Sinclair or any of his teammates will be priority number one for the other Championship teams.

Head coach: Rupert Kemeys

Opening Match: Away to Manurewa (1pm on Sunday 24 September)

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Article added: Friday 22 September 2023