Soccer in New Zealand doesn’t have anywhere near the profile of other mainstream sports and, in fact, the game has received negative publicity because of administrative, development and performance problems up to the highest level. Participation levels are high among younger players, but retention is a problem because players tend to move on to other sports as they get older. A strategic plan by New Zealand Football (www.nzsoccer.com, 09 414 0175) has the lofty aims of making soccer the leading participation sport in New Zealand across all age groups and to help the national team qualify for and be competitive in all major FIFA tournaments.

Soccer in New Zealand has recently been revamped into seven federations, which are responsible for growing and developing the game at a local level, as well as improving communication and accountability. While they are still under the national umbrella, the federations are largely autonomous and combine coaching, refereeing, playing and administrative functions for all ages, grades, divisions, clubs and schools, whether competitive or social. Each federation is made up of many clubs, so the regional federation is the best place to get advice on a club that suits your needs.
There are two main domestic premier competitions, the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC, www.nzfc.co.nz, 09 414 0175) and the Chatham Cup. The newly formed Wellington Phoenix (www.wellingtonphoenix.com, 04 474 2140) competes in the stronger Australian A-league. The national team is the All Whites.

Soccer federations

United Soccer 1
Phone: 09 414 3690
Fax: 09 414 3691
Email: us1unitedsoccer1.org.nz
Office address: Lion Foundation House, North Harbour Stadium Drive, Albany
Postal address: PO Box 300, 537 Albany 0752
Website: www.unitedsoccer1.org.nz
Regions covered: Far North, Whangarei, Kaipara, Rodney, North Shore and Waitakere

Soccer2
Telephone: 09 579 0705
Fax: 09 525 1361
Email: adminsoccer2.org.nz
Office address: Mount Smart Stadium, Penrose, Auckland
Postal address: PO Box 12 503, Penrose
Website: www.soccer2.org.nz
Regions covered: Auckland, Manukau, Papakura and Franklin

Force Three
Telephone: 07 843 1368
Fax: 07 843 1467
Email: secretaryforcethree.com
Office address: Gallagher Building No 2, Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton
Postal address: PO Box 1230, Hamilton
Website: www.forcethree.com
Regions covered: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, King Country, Coromandel and Hauraki

Capital Soccer
Telephone: 04 586 5814
Fax: 04 586 5815
Email: adminsoccer.org.nz
Office address: Memorial Park, Bracken St, Petone, Wellington
Postal address: PO Box 33 283, Petone
Website: www.soccer.org.nz
Regions covered: Wellington, Horowhenua/Kapiti, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wairarapa

Central Soccer (east/west)
Telephones: 06 843 5073, 06 357 5349
Websites: www.soccereast.org.nz, www.soccerwest.org.nz
Regions covered: Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki

Mainland Football
Telephone: 03 355 3595
Fax: 03 355 4976
Email: administration@mainlandsoccer.co.nz
Office address: English Park
Postal address: PO Box 21 122, Christchurch
Website: www.mainlandsoccer.co.nz
Regions covered: Marlborough, Kaikoura, Nelson, Tasman, Buller, Greymouth, Westland, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Banks Peninsula, Selwyn, Christchurch and Ashburton

Soccer South
Telephone: 03 470 3040
Facsimile: 03 470 3049
Email: gmsoccersouth.co.nz, dof@soccersouth.co.nz
Address: 40 Logan Park Drive, Dunedin
Website: www.soccersouth.co.nz
Regions covered: Timaru, McKenzie Basin, Waimate, Waitaki, Clutha, Central Otago, Queenstown, Dunedin, Gore and Invercargill