Photo / Pukekohe AFC Facebook

Local football clubs have been given a financial boost to help them through the COVID lockdown that cut short their 2021 season.

Northern Region Football and New Zealand Football have teamed up to help Auckland clubs.

Teams that couldn’t complete 75 percent of their scheduled 2021 games will have a quarter of their NRF and NZF fees/levies returned to them.

Most junior, youth and community teams will meet the criteria.

“Our football whanau have played their part by staying home – but leaving the season hanging is frustrating, and tough on club finances too,” NRF chief executive Laura Menzies said.

“We want everyone back playing football in 2022, and hope this news gives our Auckland clubs some relief.”

Clubs can use the rebates for any purpose with many providing members with credits or rebates themselves.