MEMORANDUM 2022 - Sporty.co.nz

MEMORANDUM 2022
 To:        NZF Membership
 From:      New Zealand Football
 Date:      Tuesday, 1 December 2020
 Subject:   The National League System

For wider circulation to federation member clubs

Dear Sir or Madam,

At its meeting on 26th November 2020, the NZF Executive Committee (ExCo) approved the
introduction of the National League System (NLS) for football in NZ from 2021 with some
minor changes to the original NLS Proposal following feedback from NZF voting members
and national league clubs.

The NLS will apply to both women’s and men’s competitions with transitional measures and
timelines in place to move the respective competitions towards the full NLS over time. This
Memorandum provides an overview of the NLS and its implementation timelines beginning
in 2021, including:

   1. Implementation of NLS structural changes in the men’s game with aligned
      governance and operating model commencing 2021
   2. Pilot structural changes to the women’s competitions with the introduction of the
      northern conference commencing 2021
   3. Implementation of the remaining NLS structural changes in the women’s game in a
      staged manner over time.
   4. Introduction of an eighth team into a double round national women’s competition in
      2021 which will operate as a hybrid model for clubs and federation regional teams
   5. Development of a focused and detailed plan to build capability of clubs and develop
      coaches and administrators operating in regional women’s competitions
   6. A robust review of Club Licensing System with a focus on youth licensing to launch a
      new system in quarter two 2021 with the criteria to apply in 2022
   7. Immediate regulatory changes to promote opportunities for NZ players and youth
      players
   8. Introduce standardised Amateur Player Agreements to manage player
      reimbursements and roll out an integrity and audit programme to drive education
      and monitor compliance

The above changes to the national leagues comes following the conclusion of the Delivery
and Sustainability project commissioned by New Zealand Football in May 2020 to address
challenges long faced by Football in Aotearoa New Zealand, many of which have been
exacerbated by Covid-19. The NLS detailed within this Memorandum is founded on the

proposal by representatives from across the game after a six-month period analysing the
existing models and priorities for national competitions. It has considered the direct
feedback of the NZF membership and aims to uphold the guiding principles established
during the previous competition reviews:

    1. The competitions and participating entities must be financially viable and
       sustainable.
    2. The competitions and participating entities must embrace youth development
       through an aligned system.
    3. The competitions must be an open competition to create an aspirational pathway.
    4. The highest level of competitions must provide players with circa 30 matches per
       season in one training and playing environment.

1. The National League System for women’s and men’s competitions

The National League System integrates national and regional competitions into an aligned
and sustainable pathway for both women’s and men’s competitions.

1.1 NLS Level One

Level One would be the equivalent of the current national league and consist of two phases:
a regional phase and championship phase.

The regional phase will include three conferences across New Zealand played between
March-September. This includes a Northern Conference, currently the Northern Region
Football League (NRFL) Premier Division, a Central Conference, currently the Central
League/W-League, and a Southern Conference, which creates a South Island League.

The championship phase is competition for the top placed teams of the respective
conferences to determine a national champion.

NZF will be working with all federations in 2021 to further develop the regional structures to
fully integrate their competition frameworks within the NLS model from 2022, including
systems to ensure all players within Level One of the NLS are moving towards playing circa
30 matches per season. For clarity, the 2021 competition model under the NLS is solely
senior competitions. The ongoing conversations with federations will also include the nature
of reserve team leagues based on the best approach for youth development in the region.

1.2 NLS Level Two and Three

Level Two of the NLS will include Regional/Federation Premier Leagues or First Divisions.
Level Three will include all Regional Second Divisions or District First Divisions and connects
the pathway. As a general rule, clubs are not be permitted to have more than one team in a
level, or in the same competition if the region has multiple competitions within a Level, to
streamline the player pathway.

1.3 National Cup Competitions

The national cup competitions (Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup) will operate March to
September in line with the conference competitions, during the regional phase. The
respective conferences will stop on designated ‘cup dates’ to accommodate the national cup
fixtures. The cup competitions will remain open to all member clubs regardless of their
involvement in the NLS.

1.4 National Operating Model

NZF will control and govern all competitions under Level One of the NLS. This includes all
regulatory, licensing, and disciplinary matters, as well as all operational matters related to
the running of the championship phase. NZF will delegate responsibility for the
administration and operational matters of all conferences to a controlling federation.

Controlling federations will hold responsibilities to confirm conference fixture lists, book and
allocate grounds, appoint referees to matches in the regional phase, deal with minor
incidents and look after the general operating logistics of matches within their respective
conference.

NZF will be develop aligned and consistent playing regulations, standardised amateur player
agreements, administer the Club Licensing system, as well as operationally manage the
championship phase and deal with any major disciplinary and protest matters.

NZF will be working collaboratively with federations to develop suitable disciplinary
processes to deal with disciplinary decisions within the regional phase and timeline to
transition to an agreed model.

NZF will be continuing to increase the profile of football through broadcast and streaming in
2021 and beyond. Unless a specific match is being produced by NZF clubs will be required to
film games for technical purposes. NZF will confirm the commercial and sponsorship
obligations of participating clubs under Level One in due course.

Each respective controlling federation will continue to be responsible for the appointment of
match officials under the regional phase. NZF will be responsible for the appointment of
match officials to the championship phase. To ensure alignment and consistency across the
conference competitions, an aligned match official fee structure will be introduced from
2021. NZF will work alongside the Referees Committee, Appointments Panel and NZMO
Board to ensure referee development needs are met with the best officials operating at the
top level of the game where possible.

In order to re-align the seasonal playing calendar, NZF will amend the Regulations on the
Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) to establish one single season being January 1 –
December 31.

1.5 Club Licensing

The NZF club licensing system will apply to NLS Level 1 and potentially Level 2 but will be
introduced through a staged implementation.

NZF confirms that an extensive review will be undertaken of the current Club Licensing
regulations and process at the beginning of 2021 with an announcement on the new
regulations due at the start of Quarter 2 2021. These regulations will outline the obligations
on clubs at various levels that will apply in 2022. Of particular focus would be the Regional
Youth League License, with a view of establishing a system that supports Football in New
Zealand: The Strategic Direction and drives player and youth development in a sustainable
manner.

Clubs should hold at least a Regional Club Licence to compete at Level One in 2021.

2. National League System Implementation

2.1 Women’s Football

Structural Changes

The implementation of the NLS structural changes for women’s competitions will require an
extended timeframe to ensure clubs are supported and regional competitions reach a
critical mass and appropriate talent pool to support the NLS.

During this transitional period, the women’s championship (currently ISPS Handa Women’s
Premiership) will continue as a double-round competition. However, feedback from
stakeholders confirmed that there is strong support to accelerate the implementation of
structural changes in regional leagues where the competitive balance is considered strong
enough to support the NLS and there is continued support for a hybrid-competition to
enable this staged-implementation.

In view of this, NZF will pilot the introduction of an eighth team and a move to a hybrid-
competition in 2021 consisting of both federation regional representative teams and club
teams. This will be achieved by piloting the implementation of the NLS in part to establish a
northern conference competition with the top four teams qualifying to participate in the
women’s national league.

For 2021, the existing women’s national league will move back to a double-robin
competition consisting of the following teams:

Northern Conference | Top four (4) placed teams qualify
Central Conference | represented by Central Football and Capital Football
Southern Conference | represented by Canterbury United and Southern United

Transitional Investment and Strategy

The immediate focus will be on enhancing existing women’s structures with increased
investment and targeted coach and player development strategies.

In 2021, NZF will work with the federations to develop a focused and detailed plan and
associated timeline to build capability of clubs and develop coaches and administrators
operating in existing women’s competitions to continue to move to the NLS as soon as
competitively possible. Investment will be made during this period to build capability across
the country ahead of moving to a fully club-based system.

NZF will continue to work with federations to advance the transition to the NLS, including
the introduction of a southern conference (South Island League) as soon as competitively
possible.

Financial Provisions

During the pilot period (2021), the federations will set the entry fees for their respective
conference competitions and NZF will work with federations to ensure the national
competition is sustainable.

NZF will partner with federations to ensure the club teams that qualify for the women’s
national league will have their entry fees covered during this pilot period. For the sake of
clarity, the competitions budget will cover all airfares, bus travel to certain regions, match
official costs and overall competition expenses.

2.2 Men’s Football

Structural Changes

The NLS structural changes, including the introduction of the South Island League (to
represent the Southern Conference), will be implemented for men’s competitions with
immediate effect commencing in 2021. This is also inclusive of the Northern Regional
Football League (NRFL) Premier and Central League competitions that reflect the northern
and central conferences, respectively.

The championship phase will consist of a single round robin format, with the top two placed
teams progressing to the Grand Final. This phase operates between October and December
and clubs must qualify for this competition yearly based on the below slot allocation model:

Northern Conference (12 Teams) | Top four (4) placed teams qualify
Central Conference (10 Teams) | Top three (3) placed teams qualify
Southern Conference (8 Teams) | Top two (2) placed teams qualify
Wellington Phoenix FC | Automatic qualification

The Wellington Phoenix FC will be granted an automatic spot in the championship phase to
support the youth development of the professional club and fulfil their A-League licence

obligations. The Wellington Phoenix FC will need to hold a partnership with a club affiliated
to a member federation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), approved by the
federation and NZF, with the purpose of delivering on Club Licensing requirements of the
NLS. This would allow the club to play within the conference system on the proviso the
partner club could not also qualify for the championship phase.

The incumbent standalone national league entities (franchises) will be able compete in the
NLS through either affiliating as a new member club of a federation under the relevant rules
or amalgamating with an existing member club. As a transitional measure to allow an
appropriate timeframe for such changes, in 2021 a national league entity may enter into a
partnership with an existing member club through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
approved by NZF and the federation. For the sake of clarity, any partnership means that all
players are registered with the partner club and that, should the partner club qualify for the
championship, the partner club could operate under the national league entity brand.

In the event that a two round South Island League is not possible in 2021 (for whatever
reason) , NZF will enter into immediate discussions with Mainland Football Federation and
Football South to determine the most appropriate competition structure for the southern
conference competition with the aim of staging at least a one round south island
competition in 2021 to ensure teams to qualify into a Championship.

Regulatory Matters

Following strong feedback for further engagement to develop a clear purpose and to better
understand the impacts on all clubs, in 2021 NZF will work with federations and clubs to
consider the merits of a system (such as a Player Points System) to incentivise clubs to
assemble a squad in a manner that aligns with the NLS principles, such as prioritising a
player and youth player pathway.

In view of this, NZF will introduce regulations focused on three key areas to support the
principles of the NLS, promote player development and ensure youth players are getting
opportunities. These include aligned and consistent regulations on the number of foreign
players in a match day squad, requirements of Under 20 players in matches, and limits on
acceptable player reimbursements.

For 2021, the following regulations will apply to Level One of the NLS:

    •   A minimum number of two (2) Under 20 players must be included in a starting list
        (players born on or after 1 January 2001).
    •   A maximum number of four (4) Foreign Players and one (1) additional Foreign Player
        who has the nationality of an Oceania Football Confederation Member Association
        may be included in a match day squad.
    •   All players at Level One must sign a NZF templated Amateur Player Agreement (APA)
        with their respective club, which outlines the obligations of all parties, including a
        maximum reimbursement limit. This APA will be lodged with NZF in the National
        Registration System (COMET) prior to any player being selected in any match day
        squad.

For 2022, these regulatory provisions will be strengthened to the below:

    •   A minimum number of two (2) Under 20 players must be included in a starting list
        (players born on or after 1 January 2002), with a further two (2) players included in
        the match day squad.
    •   A maximum number of three (3) Foreign Players and one (1) additional Foreign
        Player who has the nationality of an Oceania Football Confederation Member
        Association may be included in a match day squad.

Any amateur player found receiving reimbursements in excess of the limits specified in the
APA, without reasonable ground, may be considered a professional footballer under the NZF
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. If considered a professional, the player
would therefore be deemed ineligible to compete in the competition and the result of any
fixture in which they took part would be forfeited.

NZF will roll out a full integrity and audit programme across the NLS to ensure compliance
on all regulatory matters, including breaches of the APA. In accordance with the NZF Club
Licensing System, NZF will also maintain the right to audit any club under the NLS.

To align the three respective conferences the NLS Regulations at Level One will stipulate that
any player participating must be registered with their respective club by June 30. No club
can play any player who is not registered by this point for either the conference or
championship phase. No loan agreements or transfer periods will be in place as these terms
relate specifically to professional players. Players may only be registered for three clubs and
play for a maximum of two of these within a season as per the NZF Regulations on the Status
of Transfer of Players.

OFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup

The two finalists of the championship phase under Level One of the NLS will be the two
nominated teams to compete at the next addition of the OFC Champions League.

NZF will work with federations and select clubs participating in the NLS to develop a new
model for the distribution of any prize money collected at either the OFC Champions League
or FIFA Club World Cup to ensure the funds are used to support clubs who participate at the
OFC Champions League and support the sustainability of the entire NLS for all participants.

If the OFC Champions League was to overlap with domestic club commitments, then catch-
up matches will be organized by the controlling federation.

Financial Provisions

The entry fee for the NLS will be $10,000 NZD, plus GST. This is inclusive of all competition
related costs, such as travel, council ground fees (if applicable), referee appointments and
centralised services such as analysis software. Any NZF or federation membership fees are
not included in the entry fee.

NZF have, in principle, agreed to three respective regional phase budgets with the three
controlling federations who will undertake the administration of the conference
competitions and finances.

The principles of travel under Level One of the NLS are stipulated below and are based on
club travel from home ground to away ground (one way):

Less than 110KM | No travel reimbursement
110KM to 200KM | Land transport travel only up to a value of $500.00
200KM to 350KM | Land transport (bus) travel only up to a value of $1,500.00
350KM to 450KM | Federation centralised travel (land transport and accommodation)
450KM and above | Federation centralised travel (flight and accommodation if required)

Where teams travel by flight, the host club is responsible for transit between the airport and
ground and return.

In the event that the South Island League is not staged as a full two round competition in
2021, the Level One entry fee for all clubs would be reduced accordingly. Clubs who wish to
travel by other means, at a higher cost, will be responsible for any expenditure over the
respective principle amount.

Where federations centralise travel other minor travel principles may be enforced to ensure
player welfare and fairness between teams competing in that competition.

3. Implementation Timeframes for women’s and men’s competitions

Following the release of this Memorandum NZF will work to the below timeframes for NLS
implementation.

2-4 December 2020 | National Digital & Competitions Conference to agree operating model
and the alignment of regulations.
18 December 2020 | Competition Regulations and Amateur Player Agreements released.
29 January 2021 | Deadline to agree pilot details for women’s northern conference.
February 2021 | Launch of new competitions.
31 March 2021 | Club Licensing System review complete.

Kind regards,

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL
Kevin Forde
Competitions and Events Director

cc:   NZF Executive Committee
      NZF Staff
      OFC Competitions Department