Mainland Football is one of six federations of New Zealand Football, representing regions of Northern and Central Canterbury, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast.

Canterbury United Pride was founded in 2002, to represent the region for the New Zealand Women's National League from its inaugural season in 2002 onwards.

[1] Canterbury United Dragons was founded in 2002 as a conglomerate of various Christchurch area clubs, in order to form a strong team to take part in the 2002 New Zealand National Soccer League.

[2] In 2004, the league was replaced by the New Zealand Football Championship, run on a regional franchise basis, and Canterbury United became one of the eight competing teams.

[4][5] Leagues Cups Note: Southern League and South Island League includes teams from the Southern Football Federation and is a National competition run by New Zealand Football and managed by Mainland Football.