TRFA is Preparing to Commence with the 2026 Season

As TRFA prepares for the start of the new season, it should be noted that this year’s preparations were delayed, with some impact on both new and existing regional clubs. However, we are managing the impact carefully so we can commence within a reasonable timeframe.

Core to the delays were the transition from the previous leadership to the current one, increased governance and checkpoints required to safeguard the regional association, and the introduction of several transformational advances for the new season. These advances are briefly outlined below; more will be said about them, as they represent a significant shift in administration from what had seemed the norm.

Below are the key milestones for the commencement of the 2026 season for the Women’s Regional League (WRL), Women’s Promotional League (WPL), and Tshwane Regional Development League (REDL).

1. LFAs to submit new TRDL Teams to the region | 21 February 2026
2. Confirmation of the TRDL Teams by the region | 28 February 2026
3. Team Registration deadline for WRL, WPL, and TRDL | 7 March 2026
4. League launch and stream draws | 14 March 2026
5. Player registration window for WRL, WPL, and TRDL opens | 16 March 2026
6. Grounds Confirmations | 18 March 2026
7. First Round Fixture Publishing | 21 March 2026
8. League Kick-off for WRL, WPL, and TRDL | 28 March 2026

New Tshwane Regional Development League Teams in 2026

The region needs 11 more TRDL teams for 2026 (potentially 12 with the GDPL promotion). Local Football Associations are requested to nominate the clubs for consideration to join the TRDL League by the 21^st of February 2026. Nominations must be sent to (and only to) info@tshwanerfa.org.za by midnight of the 21^st of February 2026.

For 2026, the following must be considered:

• There is no relegation from last season’s TRDL season. This means all the TRDL teams that participated last year are eligible (with confirmation from the LFA) to play this season.
• 11 slots are available, but there are 16 LFAs, meaning that there might be competition for the available slots among the LFAs. Therefore, the regional association will evaluate carefully based on both representation balance and merit.
• In nominations, LFAs are not limited to one submission, but they must indicate the order of priority based on the previous season’s points superiority. (The reason for allowing multiple submissions per LFA is that some LFAs may choose not to nominate any club for affordability purposes or other considerations, which could lead to high demand and low supply. However, should all LFAs submit, only one submission will be considered per LFA).
• Nominated teams must accept and be ready to register players using only passports. No certificates or ID will be allowed for registration.
• Nominated clubs must be prepared to bring original passports to the match for verification, in addition to the player card.

The nominations from the LFAs must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a registered NPO / NPC / Company with a Tax Reference Number.
• Must have a bank account in the club’s name.
• Must commit to cover the registration costs of up to R25,000.00 within five months per season,
• Must have achieved the highest consolidated points for Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and Under 19 for the previous season at the LFA level.
• Must have been properly admitted through an Ordinary Congress at the LFA level,
• Should a club with fewer points be nominated, a letter from the club(s) with higher points declining the nomination must be attached to the submission.

The Competitions Committee will, based on the above considerations and criteria, evaluate the nominations and decide on the final list of the selected clubs to join the TRDL for 2026, which shall be announced to the public on the 28^th of February 2026, and affected LFAs will be informed a day or two prior to the announcement.

Team Registration Deadline for WRL, WPL, AND TRDL

By the 16^th of February 2026, the association will release an electronic form that will be completed by the WRL and TRDL clubs for the 2026 Team Registration. This form will require information and attachments of, but is not limited to, the following:

• High-resolution club logo.
• Management information, including copies of the identity documents.
• NPO / NPC / Company registration documentation.
• Contact Details, including central contact number, email address, and WhatsApp number.
• Website and social media links, including the website URL and Facebook page URL (optional).
• Club Constitution (please note that even if the club is an NPC or private company, it must have a constitution that shows alignment with association football).
• Proof of Bank Account.
• Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting, which must not have been more than 12 months ago.

It is advisable that clubs that lack the above documentation begin collecting such to complete the Team Registration form.

WPL Clubs will receive the same form as above; however, it will include optional fields for the following NPO/NPC/Company registration documentation.

Registration forms must be fully completed and submitted by all clubs by the 7^th of March 2026.

The association will send registration invoices, including payment terms, to all regional clubs by the 11^th of March 2026.

The association will host a public launch of the 2026 season leagues on the 14^th of March 2026 at a venue and time still to be determined. The details will be provided at least 5 days prior to the launch.

During the launch, the draw of the WRL and TRDL streams will be conducted as the primary business of the day.

Player Registration and Kick-off

Following the launch, the teams and streams will be updated on MySAFA, and player registration will open on the 16^th of March 2026. The registration windows for the WRL will be announced at a later date. TRDL and WPL will be allowed to register throughout the season.

The Competitions Committee will confirm the usable fields for the season by the 18^th of March 2026. This means that if a field does not meet the standards, it cannot be used. Refer to the rules for requirements, and include the lawn surface as an explicit requirement for these leagues.

The First Round Fixtures will be published by the 22^nd of March 2026, together with the Fixture Amendment Standard Operating Procedure (FASOP). The FASOP is a procedure that will be used to request fixture amendment in terms of the time and/or venue. The request for postponement will be strictly in accordance with the Rules.

On the 28^th of March 2026, the leagues will kick off.

Critical Changes in 2026

The regional association will pay for the registration credits on the MySAFA system. As part of the registration fee, teams may register 25 players per season.

The match officials will be paid for by the association and not by the clubs.

Should clubs not complete their payments within the allocated timeframes, they will be suspended. After suspension, if they still fail to remediate within a month, they will be suspended and withdrawn from the leagues. (Please note, failure to pay fees is not misconduct and does not need to go to the disciplinary hearing. It is a non-fulfilment of obligations and falls within the authority of the Regional Executive Committee, which has the power to suspend until the next Ordinary Congress).

For any enquiries, contact us at info@tshwanerfa.org.za.

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