might be a tad controversial
Northern League 2021
might be a tad controversial
It's interesting - the NZF regulations don't say anything about the leagues not being completed.
NRFL regs say for them its up to the League's discretation to award final places
compare that to Capital where if over 50% of games completed, positions are decided by average points (ie points \ number of games) - not that it'll matter in the Central League this season as all important places have been decided
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/107395?newsfeedId=1275622
Three weekends are needed to complete the Northern League (plus one midweek). 10 weekends are needed to complete the men's National League Championship. So a total of 13 weekends.
That discrepancy could be solved by making the National League Championship a round-robin with no final; by holding a double round of the National League Championship over Labour Weekend; or by adding an extra midweek round to either the Northern League or the National League Championship.
The document NZF distributed to clubs only outlines two scenarios – one where regional leagues begin September 25 (which won't be happening in the case of the Northern League) and the National League Championship begins October 16 and one where regional leagues are scrapped and the National League Championship begins October 16.
Obviously things are very fluid and Auckland spending two weeks at level 3 (IMO the most likely scenario, unless we get to zero cases per day fast) will mean no Northern League matches are possible until October 9. It would still be possible at that point to complete the Northern League and hold a modified National League Championship (say, two pools of five teams plus a final, over six weekends) but it seems the preference of NZ Football would be to find four Northern League qualifiers and get a full National League Championship in.
Well, presumably the document referred to by NZF when it says ""NZF would select qualifiers based on the National League contingencies circulated to clubs in March 2021" is exactly that...
You require minimum one week to prepare to continue winter league, so trying to complete 3 or 4 games per team is clearly not feasible if the national league is to start mid October.
Hence if the national league start date is not moved then why the delay in announcing the end to the competition.
- Confirm cancellation of the remainder of Auckland’s season, and:
- Declare competition winners, promotion and relegation placings based on results of competitions up to and including the weekend of August 14-15.
So that's pretty definitive.
How could we finish our season, if we can get back on the park?
— Northern Region Football (@NRF_Football) September 1, 2021
It’s all about being safe, and playing as much as we can in any weekends we’re given.
We're working with clubs to understand their perspective and how we can help - full update: https://t.co/7J3dq7A14P pic.twitter.com/7kgRSnxaR5
- Confirm cancellation of the remainder of Auckland’s season, and:
- Declare competition winners, promotion and relegation placings based on results of competitions up to and including the weekend of August 14-15.
So that's pretty definitive.
How could we finish our season, if we can get back on the park?
— Northern Region Football (@NRF_Football) September 1, 2021
It’s all about being safe, and playing as much as we can in any weekends we’re given.
We're working with clubs to understand their perspective and how we can help - full update: https://t.co/7J3dq7A14P pic.twitter.com/7kgRSnxaR5
don't forget the NL is a NZF run competition so this statement might not apply to that league and only the NRFL and then all community comps. just a thought.
Following the extension of Alert Level 4 in Auckland, New Zealand Football has unfortunately had to make the difficult decision to terminate the remainder of the Northern League season.
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) September 14, 2021
Fixtures in the #ChathamCup and #KateSheppardCup will also be moved. #NZNationalLeague
As a WSAFC fan I'm spewing, but I suppose it can't be helped. I hope AU and Birko do well.