Tercera División de Chile

Tercera División de Chile (Third Division of Chile), is the third category of Chilean football (soccer), and it is organized by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile, and the "Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Amateur". It is both the third level of the Chilean football league system and the top league for Chilean Football Youth Leagues.The Tercera División is the third tier of football in the Chilean football league system.

Overview

In 1979, a commission to study applications for a Third Division amateur league was created by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile. 25 teams throughout the country participated on the first edition of the league in 1981. From these 25 teams, only General Velásquez and Deportes Santa Cruz remain on the league, while Fernández Vial and Curico Unido are playing on . Since 1997, only players below 23 years are allowed to participate.

Currently, 38 teams participate on 2008 season. The winner of the league gets promoted to .

League rules

Matchday squads in the Tercera División must include only players under the age of 23.

League set-up

Promotion

Winner of the "2008 Playoffs" get automatic promotion to .

Relegation

There is no relegation on the competition.

Teams competing in the 2008 season

The teams are divided in four groups:

Group 1

*Deportes Colchagua
*General Velásquez
*Iberia
*Deportes Linares
*Magallanes
*Malleco Unido
*Naval
*Deportes Ovalle
*Deportes Santa Cruz
*Deportes Temuco
*Provincial Temuco
*Unión Temuco
*Trasandino
*Deportes Valdivia

Group 2

*Barnechea
*Ferroviarios
*Municipal Graneros
*Juventud Puente Alto
*Luis Matte Larraín
*Corporación Ñuñoa
*Peñalolén
*Universidad Iberoamericana

Group 3

*AGC Cabildo
*Deportes Cerro Navia
*Municipal Limache
*Pudahuel Barrancas
*Deportes Quilicura
*Unión Quilpué
*San Antonio Unido
*Provincial Talagante

Group 4

*Municipal Alto Hospicio
*Unión Bellavista
*Municipal Mejillones
*Deportivo Ormazábal
*Municipal Pozo Almonte
*Deportes Tocopilla
*Universidad Arturo Prat
*Universidad de Tarapacá

External links

* [http://www.terceradivision.cl/homev2.asp Official website]