FC Western look to enter the Federation League

Will Johnston

A Taranaki football club will represent the region in the Central Federation League next season, a level higher than the premiership club competition.

New Plymouth club FC Western has been in positive discussions with its governing body Central Football about its desire to join the league.

While Central Football are still working through the make-up of the league for next season, which features top clubs from Whanganui, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, FC Western will be the sole club from the province in the competition.

It will be the first time since 2021 that a Taranaki club has played in the league when New Plymouth Rangers were featured. It enjoyed some success after it won the competition in 2020 but withdrew a year later.

In a notice to its members and community, FC Western said the club was thrilled to be in a position to move up into the league after finishing runners-up in the Taranaki premiership this year.

“This comes off the back of the successful nature of the Boys Youth National League programme where, as a club, we felt we were able to deliver both the on and off-field requirements for a high level of football in the region,” it said.  

“The committee members that put so much time and energy into the youth national league now have a real passion to continue this momentum into the senior men’s space and in turn see football continue to grow in the region.”

The club will still field a team in the premiership, which is due for a shakeup in 2025 after Central Football proposed to remodel the format across Taranaki and the other regions.

The club has been working in the background for some time looking for a way to create pathways for Taranaki footballers to play outside the region.

“We believe with the changing of the leagues – possible introduction of Central League Two in 2025 – that now is the perfect time to take the step forward and participate in the Federation League for 2024.”

The club will update members and its community on the progress. 

A muster will be held on November 26, 3pm at Lynmouth Park for players who are wanting to play in the league and kick off the preparations for next season.