The 2026 Yorb women’s Federation League kicks off this weekend.

After a year away, the competition returns with five sides: Port Hill United, Napier City Rovers, Whanganui Athletic, New Plymouth Rangers, and Moturoa. With clubs coming from across the federation, local rivalries are set to play a big part including a Napier derby between Port Hill and Rovers and a Taranaki matchup between Rangers and Moturoa.

New Plymouth Rangers will be determined to go one step further after narrowly missing promotion to Central League last season, while Napier City Rovers will again be among the contenders after finishing runners-up in the Federation Cup. 

The season gets underway with a Taranaki derby this weekend, as Moturoa host New Plymouth Rangers to open the season.
 

GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic

Whanganui Athletic are excited to see the return of the Federation League competition as we look to test ourselves against the region’s top teams. The squad has put in a huge preseason, with the players showing outstanding commitment and work ethic throughout. We are building a strong, positive culture, and we are incredibly proud of the effort both the players and management have invested so far. With a mix of fresh faces and valuable returning experience, the group is shaping up well. We are looking forward to a competitive season and are determined to make our mark in the women’s game across the region once again.
WAFC Squad 2026
Ally Greer
Amelia Couper
Anna Christiansen
Brighton Smee
Brook Burke
Emily Smith
Isla Jones
Jamie Tipper
Kendra Taylor
Poppy Brooks Mann
Sheena Menzies
Shino Takano
Vanya Apiata-Hodgkinson
Zoe Wilkins

Coaching Staff
Head Coaches: Aaron Folan, Tom Pearce
Manager: Kirsty Lower
 

Excel Refrigeration Moturoa AFC
Moturoa AFC are looking forward to being part of the Central Football WFL and the opportunities it provides the club and players as both a collective and individuals. Moturoa AFC are excited to play different opposition in the new look league, while also building club connections across the federation. We have a unique set of goals for this season and look forward to doing our best to achieve them. :) Entering the league was carefully considered but as we look to support CF, the initiative,  and re-introduction of the league, we are locked in and looking forward to utilising the league as part of our pathways for players. The squad has had a productive preseason on the grass made up of well attended training, game days across the region,  and also a club squad taking out the Taranaki (Kimbaley) Charity Cup. Excel Refrigeration Moturoa AFC will again be a mixture of experience and youth. We have been fortunate enough to welcome back some key players from injury and work commitments and also integrate some of our local young talent into a side full of leadership and fantastic mentors and role models. 

Squad list not supplied.
 

Coaching Staff:
Coaches: Scotty Manson / Matt Stoneman
Physio: Anna Hinton
GK Coach: Matt Stoneman

Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers
It’s a honour for the players and staff to represent Napier City Rovers in a womens travel league for the 1^st time. We have been in preseason mode for 8 weeks, the players have built a fantastic culture and are primed to compete in what will be a closely fought competition. We look forward to welcoming teams to Bluewater Stadium and testing ourselves on the road.

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Chris McIvor
Assistants: Stu Wilson, Shelly Cameron, Shane McKenzie
Physio: Jess McIvor, Shane Marcus
S & C Coach: Clare Stubbs

Central Business Innovation New Plymouth Rangers AFC
As a group we are very excited to be returning to the Federation League and extend a thanks to Central Football and Napier City Rovers and Porthill for stepping out and joining the league. We are really looking forward to playing both this season.

2026 offers our young group the opportunity to continue their growth and development of their game. We have again a strong leadership group to help support the younger players.

We've had a reasonably solid pre season, finishing 4th in a pre season tournament and winning the Green Cup Trophy against Whanganui 3-1. Despite that we are currently managing a few injuries within the squad.

Our first league game will be across town at Moturoa in a local derby. I'm sure that the game will be interesting with both teams wanting to get off to a good start. 

This year we will have the benefit to call on some of our developing players to be a part of the 1st team and have impressed in pre season.

Our squad from :

Aimee Wisnewski
Chloe Mcgregor
Jayla Stone
Chelsea Simpson
Ruby Smith
Heidi Johns
Tiaan Netherway
Ruby Stenning
Chloe Baldwin
Andie French
Adele Keighley
Zoe Mackenzie
Gracey Edgcombe
Abigail Williamson
Sam Hearn-Powers
Bailee Egan-Gray
Daisy Marshall-Kirkwood
Sanna Mckenzie
Harriet Macrae
Aliza Snow
Charlee Chase 
Kennedy Cleland
Camryn Chadwick
Kate Muller
Ally Smith Lines

Coaching Staff:

Head Coach - Andrew Moore
Head Coach - Tabitha De Salis
Assistant Coach - Manuel Luque
Manager - Vaughan Keighley
Craig Mcgregor - GK Coach

Goodmans Port Hill United Women's - Not supplied by time of publication

Article added: Friday 10 April 2026