Three teams to join regional league
Three Taranaki football teams will boost the Federation League this year and provide opportunities for aspiring players in the region.
Last season’s club champions Peringa and New Plymouth Rangers were the latest clubs to join the league after local runner-up FC Western announced their intention in November.
The nine-team competition features top clubs from Whanganui, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. The league is one step higher than the local club premiership.
Rangers were the last Taranaki team to feature in the competition in 2021 and were the 2020 champion. Hopes to re-enter the competition were dashed until now.
Club chair Monty Ammundsen said the club had enough depth to field a Federation league team this year.
With local teams playing each other, travel was reduced and it would make for some exciting local derbies, he said.
“Three teams involved allows a much wider, diverse group to develop at a higher level. We can now look forward to competitive matches week in, week out and there is a lot of talent in the region that deserves to be playing at Federation level.”
Ammundsen hoped the three clubs could add quality to the league and create opportunities and pathways for players to develop.
Peringa club chair Steve Alderdice said the decision to enter a team was a result of the club winning the premiership, as well as having a positive run in the Federation Cup knock-out competition.
“At Peringa, we strive to provide participation at all levels and the entry to the Federation League was on consultation with coach Dom Squatriti and the first team players,” he said. “They were keen to test themselves at the next level and the club has backed that ambition and drive.”
He said it was great to see Taranaki well represented in the competition this year.
In an email to its members in November, FC Western said the decision came off the back of the successful Boys’ Youth National League programme. A Federation League requirement meant the three clubs would still be represented in the local premiership, which also starts on April 6, by promoting their reserve teams up a grade.
With the premiership including eight teams, an increase from six last year, Ammundsen admitted it won’t be as competitive as it was.
Central and Capital football are looking to shake up local competitions, morphing them into a regional model.