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Wellington Olympic have won the first piece of silverware in the 2024 club football season by claiming the NZF Charity Cup. The Greeks, the NZF National League champions, defeated Chatham Cup holders Christchurch United 3-0 at Wellington's Martin Luckie Park on Sunday. The victory came courtesy of goals from captain Ben Mata (33rd minute), Hamish Watson (50th minute) and new recruit Joel Coustrain (75th minute). The win sees Wellington Olympic further stake their claim as one of the favourites for the 2024 National League Championship, which gets underway with the regional phase later this month.

The fixture list for the regional phase of the third season of New Zealand Football's National League has been finalised. The 312-match schedule for the Northern League, Central League and Southern League was released by New Zealand Football (NZF) on Friday, with the season underway in three weeks. Three-time defending Northern League champions Auckland City and Auckland United will kick-off the season on Friday, March 22 in a night-time clash at Keith Hay Park, with five matches the next day. The Southern League will begin with a full slate of night matches on Thursday, March 28, with champions Christchurch United hosting Nomads United at Christchurch Football Centre. The Central League will open on Saturday, March 30 with four matches, while Wellington Olympic will start their regional and National League title defence at Napier City Rovers the following day. City and Eastern Suburbs did not suffer a loss in the 2023 Northern League. They meet in Round 2 on March 29 and Round 13 on June 22. United and Cashmere Technical, who were neck-and-neck all season in last year's Southern League, continue their rivalry in Round 9 on June 8 and Round 18 on September 1. The Wellington Phoenix Reserves will play five midweek matches throughout the season, allowing them to play their last league match on July 14 and be involved in the club's top-flight team's preseason. The top sides from each regional league (four from the Northern League, four from the Central League and two from the Southern League) qualify for spring's National League Championship. 2024 will see select games from the National League regional phase broadcast on the FIFA+ streaming platform for the first time.

Hawke’s Bay Rugby have confirmed the two Heartland Championship unions that will challenge the Magpies for the Log o' Wood in 2024. 2023 Meads Cup winners South Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay neighbours King Country will both travel to Hawke’s Bay to challenge for the coveted Shield. King Country will head across the Napier-Taupo Road to challenge on Wednesday, June 26 at a yet undecided venue. If the Magpies are successful against the Rams, they then face South Canterbury for the second time in three years at Napier’s McLean Park on Saturday , July 27, with a family-friendly 3pm kick-off. "Challenging for the Shield is not something that every player in NZ has the opportunity to do throughout their career. Both King Country and South Canterbury performed well in their respective competitions last season and we expect very enthusiastic, tough games against both of these proud unions. "The players who earn the right to represent the Magpies in these games will be aware we will need to be at our best to ensure we earn the right to defend the shield again," said Magpies coach Brock James. The Magpies that defend the Shield for these two games will be a mixture of local club players and players who have returned from Major League Rugby (United States) and Super Rugby Pacific commitments. James confirmed there will be real competition for spots as club-based players show form over the club season as James and his selectors watch with interest during the early rounds. ‘’The team are looking forward to once again playing Hawke's Bay, like we did in 2022 where the game was very competitive. We are fully aware that the 'Hawke's Bay Maggie Pies' will be waiting for us in full force," South Canterbury Rugby CEO Tim Hyde-Smith. Should the Magpies be successful in defending the shield against the two Heartland opponents, the Magpies next defence will be against NPC opposition to be confirmed when the NPC draw is released next week. "Being Shield holders and competing for the NPC title is a real balancing act, but the coaches and leaders are excited about the challenges this brings but need to lay the platform and it all starts with King Country on June 26 and we can’t wait to rip into it," James said.