By Gavin Searle

The opening round of the 2023 National League kicks off over the weekend with Southern League (SL) again seeing the top two sides progressing to the National League Championship stage in September.

There has been one major change to the leagues with two under-20 players no longer having to be in the starting line-ups but do have to play 10% of the available playing time during the league. 

Several clubs will have new coaches involved: Harry Trethowan at Cashmere Technical; Robbie Stanton is back in charge at Coastal Spirit; Matt Jansen, Nomads Assistant in recent season is now head coach; Jamie Whitmarsh likewise at Green Island; and Cveten (Tseto) Ivanov is in charge at promoted FC Twenty11. 

In recent weeks clubs have been busy with finalising their squads and competeing pre-seasons in readiness for the opening rounds. Both Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical set the pace from the get-go last season to secure the two SL qualifying positions with five rounds to play. Hopefully this season we will have a tighter contest for the top so early points will be vital. 

Ferrymead Bays and Coastal Spirit kick-off the SL when they meet at Ferrymead Park on Friday at 7:15pm. This will be and interesting game with several Coastal’s players now at Bays.

On Saturday Selwyn United host Nelson Suburbs at Foster Park at 11:30am - the Stallions will be out to make a better start then last season. At midday, Dunedin City Royals face Nomads United at Logan Park with Royals favoured after Nomads failed to win a game on the road in 2022. Champions, Christchurch United entertain Green Island at 1:30pm, with the venue being the recently renamed United Sports Centre (formerly the Christchurch Football Centre) with United likely to be at short odd to secure the three points. The final game will at 2:45pm when FC Twenty11 take on Cashmere Technical at Avonhead Park, which is likely to fully test the new comers in their first SL game. 

Below are some of the player movements: Former clubs shown in brackets.

Christchurch United: 1st in 2022
In: Aaron O’Driscoll (Overseas), Eogan Stokes (Overseas), Abdul Khalifa (Manakau United), Cameron Lindsay (Wellington Olympic), Haris Zeb (Miramar Rangers).
Out: Eddie Wilkinson and Mika Rabuka (both in Australia), Noal Billingsley (Auck. United), Joe Hoole (Coastal).

Cashmere Technical: 2nd  
In: Caleb Cottom (Nomads), Daniel Metherall (Bays), Phoenix Coursey (Western Suburbs).
Out: Kian Donkers (Netherlands), Harri Rowe (FC Twenty 11), Chester Gaskin (Ferrymead Bays).

Nelson Suburbs: 3rd  
In: Bulk of the players back with several players promoted from their youth set up.   
Out: Hamish Cadigan (Australia).

Dunedin City Royals: 4th
In: Bulk of the players back. 
Out: Jared Grove, Olivier Cassidy and Callan Rothmets – all completed their medical studies in Dunedin and now moved north.    

Ferrymead Bays: 5th
In: Daniel Thoms (Nomads Utd), Danny Boys (Cashmere Technical - did not play in 2022), Kenshin Hayashi, Cameron Rean, Mark Zimmerman (all Coastal), Chester Gaskin (Cashmere Technical).
Out: Ryan Stanley (having a break), Daniel Metherell (Cashmere Technical), Lauie Bush and Michael White (both overseas).

Coastal Spirit: 6th
In: Joe Hoole (Christchurch United), Wiari Rushbridge and Omar Cameron (both Western).
Out: Kenshin Hayashi, Cameron Rean, Mark Zimmerman (all Ferrymead Bays), Seth Simpson and Luke Pritchard (both Nomads Utd), Michael Horgan (Overseas).

Nomads Utd: 7th
In: Seth Simpson and Luke Pritchard (both Coastal Spirit), Liam Thompson (back having not playing in 2022).
Out: Dublin Boon (trialing UK), Daniel Thoms (Ferrymead Bays).

Green Island: 8th
In: Bulk of the players back, with several new players set to be comfirmed.    

Selwyn United: 9th
In: Jacob Grosvenor (FC Twenty 11), Sam Handley (Overseas), Liam Colman (formerly at Phoenix Academy) 
Out: Calum Murdoch (US College), Nikolas and William Finley (both to FC Twenty 11), Dan Ede (now coaching).

FC Twenty 11: (Promoted) 
In: Harri Rowe (Cashmere Technical), Nikolas and William Finley (both from Selwyn Utd), Kane Kilbride (Burwood).
Out: Jacob Grosvenor (Selwyn Utd).

New World Premiership Also Underway 

The Premiership is blosterd last season with the addition of Cashmere Technical Reserves and Nomads Reserves in the league this season to increase the number of teams to 8. 

Round 1 fixture's are: Parklands facing Halswell Utd at Parklands Reserve, Universities hosting Burwood at Ilam Fields, Waimak entertaining Cashmere Tech. Res at Kendal Park and Walter Park the venue for the Western verses Nomads Reserves.

New World Championship starts 1st April 

Article added: Wednesday 22 March 2023