The team was previously known as Northern Football, until they were re-branded in 2018[1] Originally known as Northern Football, the team made their debut in the National Women's League in 2010-11, qualifying for the playoffs unbeaten, but losing 10–1 to Waikato-Bay of Plenty in the semi-final.
[4] They were unable to make it a hat trick of championships in 2013 however, losing 4–2 to Mainland Pride in the final, despite topping the regular season table.
[5] In 2014 the team failed to make the playoffs, finishing sixth in the regular season, winning only two of their seven games.
[6] They then won their third title in the 2015, finishing second after the regular season, they went on to beat the NZ Development Squad 4–3 in the semi-final[7] before going on to beat first place Mainland Pride in the final 3–4 away from home, denying their opponents a three-peat of competition titles.
[8] On 28 August 2018, it was decided that the women's teams from Northern Football Federation would be re-branded as the Northern Lights to provide an identity for the teams, players, staff and supporters and to help build on the growth of the Female game within the region.