Review brings changes to 2019 NRFL

Age restrictions will be introduced to one of the country’s top club football competitions, as organisers focus on developing players for higher honours.

Following a review on the future of the Northern Regional Football League (NRFL) significant changes have been implemented.

Auckland Football Federation board chairman Glyn Taylor said sports sometimes have to make tough calls.

‘‘From time to time, decisions to change things may need to be made, but they are decisions that will ultimately lead to a stronger competition,’’ Taylor said.

From the 2019 season, men’s premier and division one reserves competitions will switch from an unrestricted competition to an under-23 format, with an allowance for five over-age players to be named in a match-day squad of 16.

Northern Football Federation chief executive officer John Limna is supportive of the review of the league and the changes.

‘‘The age-restricted format for the NRFL premier league and division 1 reserves should provide more opportunities for talented younger players to experience the NRFL,’’ Limna said.

In April, NRFL premiership coach David Mulligan called for

‘‘From time to time, decisions to change things may need to be made’’

Glyn Taylor

the league to consider a youth focus.

Mulligan, a former All White, said at the time the NRFL should be where younger school-age players get a chance to test themselves.

‘‘If a player is 16 to 18 years old he should be in the first team reserves and knocking on the door to be a part of the first team; and this is the coaching style that I promote.’’

Another NRFL coach, Tom Speers, said earlier in the year that he supports developing young players but does not think the NRFL ‘‘should force a rule upon any team about who they select in the match-day squad’’.

‘‘It is the coach’s prerogative to pick who he wants, but the onus is on the younger player themselves, because at this level it is important to win, very important, as hopefully each coach is building a winning culture within the group, so the youngster needs to match this,’’ the Englishman said.

Another change to come out of the NRFL review in September, is a potential second tier to the women’s competition.

The women’s nine-team premier and premier reserves leagues will remain in place for next season, with the addition of a division one competition in 2019 to be consulted on by clubs during the 2018 season.

NRFL men’s reserve sides will play in an under-23 competition in coming seasons.