First Round Draws Set Stage for 2025 Chatham and Kate Sheppard Cups

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (May 1, 2025) —
The road to footballing glory officially begins as New Zealand Football has confirmed the Round 1 fixtures for the 2025 Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup, with matches set to take place over the weekend of May 9–11.

Held at NZF headquarters, the draw was conducted by Competitions and Events Managers Kevin Forde, Shannon Hewetson, and Jamie Mew, under the supervision of Taylor Lewis from Northern Region Football (NRF).

Kate Sheppard Cup: Strong Regional Representation and Strategic Byes

A total of 49 teams remain in New Zealand’s top women’s knockout competition, spread across three regions:

• Northern Region: 25 teams

• Central Region: 13 teams

• Southern Region: 11 teams

To streamline the bracket for Round 2, 17 teams were awarded byes based on ranking or draw. Notably, all NRFL Women’s Premiership teams bypass Round 1, joined by Birkenhead United (NRFL Championship) via draw.

In the Capital Football area, byes went to Wellington Phoenix Reserves, Victoria University, Waterside Karori, and Miramar Rangers, while Roslyn Wakari and Otago University were given byes in the Southern Region.

🔹 Round 1 Fixtures – Kate Sheppard Cup

Northern Region:

• Onehunga Mangere vs. West Auckland

• Northern Rovers vs. Onehunga Sports

• Bay Olympic vs. Cambridge FC

• Whakatane Town vs. Papakura City FC

• Uni-Mount Bohemian vs. East Coast Bays

• Franklin United vs. Waikato Unicol

• Te Awamutu vs. Lakes FC

Central Region:

• Palmerston North Marist vs. Taradale FC

• Wellington United vs. Petone FC

• North Wellington vs. Upper Hutt City

• Te Kotahitanga vs. Seatoun AFC

Southern Region:

• Richmond FC vs. Nelson Suburbs

• Halswell United vs. Ferrymead Bays

• Coastal Spirit vs. Selwyn United

• UC Football vs. Cashmere Technical

• Northern AFC vs. Queens Park

• Green Island vs. Dunedin City Royals

Chatham Cup: 94 Teams Eye National Glory in New Zealand’s Oldest Trophy

In the men’s edition, 94 teams remain in the hunt for the Chatham Cup, first contested in 1923. As with the women’s competition, byes were allocated to ensure a clean 64-team bracket in Round 2.

All Dettol Northern League and Central League teams received automatic passage. In addition, a draw handed byes to North Shore United, Northern Rovers, Ngaruawahia United, and Onehunga Mangere United from the NRFL Championship.

The Southern Region saw Nomads United, Christchurch United, Dunedin City Royals, and Wanaka advance via ranking, while Queens Park AFC, Mosgiel, Northern AFC, and Otago University received drawn byes.

🔹 Round 1 Fixtures – Chatham Cup

Northern Region:

• Whakatane Town vs. West Hamilton United

• Ngongotaha vs. Waikato Unicol

• Melville United vs. Matamata Swifts

• Mt Albert-Ponsonby vs. Cambridge FC

• Northern United vs. Claudelands Rovers

• Waiheke United vs. West Auckland

• Northland FC vs. Papakura City FC

• Beachlands Maraetai vs. Hibiscus Coast

• Waitemata vs. Ellerslie AFC

• South Auckland Rangers vs. Hamilton Wanderers

• Otumoetai vs. Franklin United

• Central United vs. Te Atatu AFC

• Bream Bay United/Colo Boys vs. Manukau United

• Bucklands Beach vs. Papamoa

• Taupo AFC vs. Metro FC

• Internationale FC vs. Takapuna AFC

Central Region:

• Palmerston North Marist vs. Whanganui Athletic

• Palmerston North United vs. Western Rangers

• Stop Out vs. Naenae FC

• Douglas Villa vs. Victoria University

• Wellington Marist vs. Tawa AFC

• Seatoun AFC vs. Wainuiomata

Southern Region:

• Rangers AFC vs. Wakefield FC

• Nelson Suburbs vs. FC Nelson

• Waimakariri United vs. Coastal Spirit

• Cashmere Technical vs. Burwood AFC

• UC Football vs. Ferrymead Bays

• Western AFC vs. Selwyn United

• Northern Hearts vs. Roslyn Wakari

• Green Island vs. Old Boys AFC

Looking Ahead

With over 140 clubs from every corner of the country in action, the first round of both cup competitions promises compelling matchups and potential upsets. Fixture dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in the coming days.

Stay tuned to Pitchside HQ for full coverage, player spotlights, and post-match reactions throughout the 2025 Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup season.