Three new entities joining the country’s top domestic league.

New Zealand Football confirmed on Wednesday the 10 participants for an expanded 2016-17 ASB Premiership competition with three new entities joining the country’s top domestic league.

Seven of the clubs involved in the current eight-team competition will continue in the expanded league with Auckland City FC, Waitakere United, Hawke’s Bay United, Team Wellington, Wellington Phoenix, Canterbury United and Southern United all at the start line for next season.

Those seven will be joined by new additions Hamilton Wanderers (replacing WaiBOP United), Auckland-based Eastern Suburbs AFC and Tasman United with all clubs handed two-year licenses. All 10 entities will field teams in the ASB Premiership competition as well as the feeder ASB Youth League.

After receiving 14 initial expressions of interest, which resulted in eight full applications over and above the clubs involved in the current competition, New Zealand Football Community Director Cam Mitchell said making the final call for the 10 teams was difficult.

“What the process has shown is there is great interest around the country in being involved in our flagship domestic competition,” Mitchell said, “with the standard of the applications very high.

“The applicants all made solid cases for inclusion with Eastern Suburbs and Tasman standing out above the rest at this point in time.”

To maintain the pathway in the Waikato region and having met the required criteria, Hamilton Wanderers have been passed the license held by WaiBOP United with the regional entity giving way to the NRFL Premier League club while Eastern Suburbs and Tasman United presented the strongest cases for the remaining two places after priority was given to the existing sides in the competition.

ASB Premiership 2016-17 Auckland City FC Canterbury United Eastern Suburbs AFC Hamilton Wanderers Hawke’s Bay United Southern United FC Tasman United Team Wellington Waitakere United Wellington Phoenix

Unsuccessful applicants Auckland United North Shore City Onehunga Sports Wairarapa United Western Suburbs – Wellington

Independent review panel

• Roger Wilkinson – Former National League coach

• Dougal McGowan – Former NZF Executive Committee member, former National League player and involved in the previous National League selection process

• Peter O’Leary – Former FIFA and National League referee

• Kristy Hill – Former Football Fern, Women’s National League coach and PFA member