Here’s a handy guide to understand the structure of Women and Girls Football in New Zealand, and opportunities in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty to get involved.

Senior Football (Adult Women)

The top league for women’s teams across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Northland is the NRFL Women’s Premiership, which includes the NRFL Reserve League.

• FC Tauranga Moana is the only team from Waikato/BOP in the NRFL Premiership for 2025. They won the NRFL Championship in 2024 and earned promotion.
• The top four Premiership teams qualify for the Dettol Women's National League, an eight-team competition from September to November.
• Sitting below the NRFL Premiership, the NRFL Championship is also an eight-team league.

WaiBOP Teams in NRFL Championship (2025)

• Melville United and Cambridge FC are representing WaiBOP in the NRFL Women’s Championship.
• Cambridge won promotion in 2024 by winning both the WaiBOP W-League and a playoff against the NRF Women’s Conference winner.

WaiBOP W-League (Federation-Wide)

The WaiBOP W-League is the highest level women’s competition within the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, consisting of teams from both Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. In 2025 it will consist of nine teams, playing a a double round-robin format.

Other women’s leagues operate at a more local level in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Local Leagues

• Waikato Women’s League: Multiple divisions (Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3) played within the Waikato region only.
• Bay of Plenty Women’s League: Single division (Women's Bay 1), played within the Bay of Plenty region only.

All leagues start in March or April, with clubs often adding players throughout the season.

If you are keen to play, find a club near you: Club Map

Youth Football (Ages 13-19)

High school-aged girls can play football at school, at a club, or in some cases, both.

The top leagues for women’s teams across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Northland are the NRFL Youth leagues, with an U14 and U16 Girls competition. These leagues are available for clubs who have the TDP (Talent Development Programme) qualification.

https://www.waibopfootball.co.nz/talent-development-programme

Two clubs from our region have teams entered in the NRFL Girls Youth Leagues: Melville United and Tauranga Moana. 

The top four teams in the U16 league qualify for the Nation Youth League

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/COMPETITIONS/Football/youth-national-league

WaiBOP Football runs several girls-only leagues.

• U14 Girls: Both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty each have an U14 girls league, split into two divisions (Kaimai and Koru). The Kaimai League is more competitive.
• U16 Girls: New in 2025, featuring teams from Waikato and Bay of Plenty. This is a league aimed at players of all ability levels. 
• Bay of Plenty Girls Leagues (known as the Bay Wide Youth Leagues):  Split into Junior (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-13), with both school and club teams involved.

If you are keen to play, talk to your school or contact a club near you and ask what options they have:

https://www.waibopfootball.co.nz/club-map

For Juniors (4-12 years old)

Across our region, our Junior leagues have a mix of clubs and schools. 

For young girls starting football in a girls-only setting, MILO Fantails is a great introduction. Check if a club near you offers it: MILO Fantails.

Not all regions have girls-only environments for all age groups. Especially in smaller towns, younger girls often start in mixed teams before moving into girls-only leagues as they get older. 

League Structure

• Hamilton: Some clubs offer girls-only first kicks at U6, others start at U8
• Bay of Plenty:  Girls-only leagues start at U8.
• Rotorua: New U8 and U10 girls-only leagues launching in 2025. U12 girls' teams enter the Western Bay of Plenty U12 Girls league.
• Thames Valley A new Girls League is launching in 2025, catering for 10th - 13th Grade girls (born 2012 - 2015). 
• Taupō, King Country: Currently, no girls-only leagues due to numbers; mixed teams are the norm

Junior leagues start in May (Term 2), and most clubs will be closing registrations shortly.

If you are keen to play, talk to your school or contact a club near you and ask what options they have:

https://www.waibopfootball.co.nz/club-map

Article added: Thursday 20 March 2025