The NWL was introduced in a genuine league format in 2002 and is played on an inter-federation basis.
Traditionally, there has been one team representing each of New Zealand's seven federations while an eighth team - based on national age-group squads for upcoming Fifa tournaments - is included.
In 2009, five federations will compete alongside a New Zealand Under-17 selection, with the teams split into two pools of three teams.
In the Southern Conference, are Footballsouth, Mainland and Capital Football (Wellington) and in the north are Auckland, Waikato and the NZ Under-17 side.
The teams will battle for a place in December's play-offs with a final scheduled for December 20 at North Harbour Stadium.
The Footballsouth team is coached by Queenstown-based Darren Rewi and Dunedin's Steve Brook who finalised their squad of 20 last week.
A major club input comes from champion club Roslyn-Wakari's 10 players.
"It was really hard to separate some players since in the trial games everyone played well," Rewi said.
"On a positive note we are thrilled that captain Kushla Glover has made herself available and her skills and leadership will be vital for the upcoming season.
"We have named a full squad of 20 which includes three goalies.
With Caitlin Fitchett carrying an injury we wanted to make sure we had plenty of cover.
"The squad is very young with nine of this year's Federation Under-16 squad coming through and the youngest being Hannah Struthers at 14-years of age, which is good for the development of these girls and we are confident that they have the skills for this competition, just possibly lacking in experience," Rewi said.
Brooks, and Rewi, plus Sally Hicks, were recently on a Fifa coaching course run by Fifa instructors Anne Noe, from Belgium, and April Heinrichs from the United States.
Also present was former Otago coach Johan Koutstaal, who recently relocated to Wellington where his is Regional Coaching Development Manager, and also is in charge of the Capital women who will play Footballsouth on November 8 at the Caledonian Ground.
Also heading north this weekend for the third year running is the Dunedin Technical Under-19 team to the New Zealand Under-19 Club Championships in Napier.
Technical has been drawn to play Oratia United, Maycenvale, Porirua, Kapiti Coast and Manurewa.
"We feel these champs are well worth sending the best young players our club has, as it gives them the chance to see where they stand with the same age-group at club level New Zealand-wide," Technical club president Steve Dunn said.
"We will again be taking 16 players, including two guest players. As well as giving our own club players a chance, it also has given the opportunity to other players in Dunedin. This year we have two players from Roslyn going.
"In the past two years we have also taken players from Mosgiel, Grants Braes, Northern and Green Island.
"We made a point of contacting those clubs for their permission. No guest players have come and then signed for us the next year as this is not the purpose of the trip."
Southern teams
Travelling north
Footballsouth women: Emily Stitchbury, Cherie Boucher, Caitlin Fitchett, Laura Wallis (vice captain), Annie Gilchrist, Hannah Struthers, Daytona Helm, Bianca Roy, Kushla Glover (captain), Elise Mamanu Gray, Sam Muirhead, Jordyn Walker, Yolanda Ray, Georgia Brown, Suzie Foster, Carena Oosterbaan, Amelia Currier, Kate Stafford, Una Madden, Mikaela Garland.
Management team: Darren Rewi, Steve Brook, Jill Muirhead.
Dunedin Technical under-19: Cam Burns, Tristan Prattley, Matt Joy, Tom Rodden, Jordie Reid, Tim Dunn, Wil Mcrae, Duncan Wilson, Ross Howard, James Govan, Mike Still, Jordan Higgins, Sam Enright, Matt Bruin, James Watson (guest), Fraser Cameron (guest).
Coaches: Mike Fridge, Tony Martin.
Manager: Mark Ratten.
