The New Zealand Football Championship could be expanded from eight to 10 teams as early as next season as part of a wide-ranging competitions review.
New Zealand Football has pledged $450,000 over the next three seasons to the national league and National Youth League, as well as reaffirming its commitment to the NZFC's franchise-based format.
It's also set aside $50,000 each year for any New Zealand team winning the OFC Champions League to help with preparation for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chief Executive Michael Glading says retaining the league's amateur status is crucial to its sustainability and its role in developing players and officials.
Glading says Ben Sigmund, Jeremy Brockie, Chris Wood and Marco Rojas have all made the jump to professional football from the NZFC in recent seasons.
And he says Jacob Spoonley, Andy Barron, Jimmy Bannatyne and Aaron Scott have joined the likes of Ivan Vicelich in the All Whites, and there are two referees on the cusp of World Cup selection.
