Fixtures for the 2023 LOTTO NRFL season are released today, with a new look format for the men and women's competitions. 

UPDATE 16 March

NRF has released the confirmed draws for the 2023 LOTTO NRFL Championship and NRF League One.  
 
The delay in confirming the final line ups is due to an appeal process regarding 2022 NRF Championship winners Central United and their promotion to the LOTTO NRFL Championship this season, considering a club Memorandum of Understanding  that was in place.  
 
This process is complete, and as per competition regulations, Central United will play in the NRF League One, while Oratia United will play in the LOTTO NRFL Northern Conference this season. All other places are unchanged. 
 
NRF acknowledges the time it's taken to reach this point and its effect on season planning for all teams, but committed to a thorough investigation, out of fairness to all clubs. 

Competition eligibility is paramount to delivering NRF’s Quality Competitions strategy - we've undertaken a review of all playing regulations in light of the issues raised here, and consider future scenarios of a similar nature.   

We're looking forward to the first ball being kicked in the LOTTO NRFL on 25 March.

All LOTTO NRFL draws are available online here 

"It's going to be an exciting season, and we're grateful as always to LOTTO for supporting top tier football in our regions," said NRF Competitions Manager Mike Corbett.  

The LOTTO NRFL Women's Premiership is the new name for the top competition, with the a new LOTTO NRFL Championship for 2023, made up of six Northern Region Football sides and two from WaiBOP. 

"Bringing a new competition under the LOTTO NRFL banner is a huge opportunity for clubs developing their women's programmes, and players wanting to take their game to the next level. it's a real chance to use FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 momentum to lift the standards in our region," said Mike Corbett. 

Two teams will be promoted and relegated between the LOTTO NRFL Premiership and Championship, with the NRF Conference and WaiBOP W-League sitting in the tier below.  

LOTTO NRFL 2022 champions Northern Rovers will visit Ellerslie in round one, with National League Champions Eastern Suburbs heading to Kate Sheppard Cup winners Auckland United. 

The top men's competition will be called the Championship, with the LOTTO NRFL Northern and Southern Conference sitting in the next tier down. 

Women's structure: 

Men's structure: 

Round one in the Men's Championship sees promoted teams Ngaruwhaia travelling to East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast taking on Tauranga City.

Round one of the LOTTO NRFL season kicks off on March 25. 

Article added: Thursday 02 March 2023