History for Big Pete 65

Series of articles in NZ Herald this week - one every day - on state of football in NZ:

(1) Soccer's state of play: Critical days for sport's maturity

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11155311

"Five years ago, Sport New Zealand decided it could not be all things to all sports. It targeted a group of sports to ensure they were on the right path to give youth the opportunity to succeed. Put more formally, the aim was to drive behavioural approaches around delivery pathways to provide the best way for talented young people to reach the top.

Netball, rugby, league, hockey and cricket were identified, discussions held, plans laid out, and the outcomes have impressed the Government funding agency. The result may surprise those who take a dim view of NZF's management of the game.

"The others are catching up, but football [soccer] is a leader in the approach of adaptation of their game," Geoff Barry, general manager of sport and recreation for SNZ, said.

"They were all suffering declining numbers in certain segments of ages. Football very much led the pack, but the others, because they've got good intellectual property and grunt in their organisations, are catching up very quickly.

"But without doubt [NZF] had, and still have, leaders in adapting opportunities for kids to learn and play football."

This is not about the All Whites or the ASB Premiership. That's for the next couple of days. It's also not Barry's specific focus area. But within the zone he oversees, he likes what he's seen from NZF..."

SOCCER'S STATE OF PLAY: PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS - THREE WAYS TO GO

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11155312

(3) SOCCER'S STATE OF PLAY: ONE TRACK MIND HELPS YOUNG STAR

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11155313

The series

Tomorrow
We take an in-depth look at the ASB Premiership which kicked off its 10th year last weekend. Is it meeting its initial objectives? We canvas opinions from those in the know. Plus a look at the women's game through the eyes of a current Football Fern.

Thursday
Over the next week New Zealand Football could pocket the biggest windfall in its history. But what has it done with the $10 million nest egg it got in 2009 for qualifying for the last World Cup?

Series of articles in NZ Herald this week - one every day - on state of football in NZ:

(1) Soccer's state of play: Critical days for sport's maturity

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11155311

"Five years ago, Sport New Zealand decided it could not be all things to all sports. It targeted a group of sports to ensure they were on the right path to give youth the opportunity to succeed. Put more formally, the aim was to drive behavioural approaches around delivery pathways to provide the best way for talented young people to reach the top.

Netball, rugby, league, hockey and cricket were identified, discussions held, plans laid out, and the outcomes have impressed the Government funding agency. The result may surprise those who take a dim view of NZF's management of the game.

"The others are catching up, but football [soccer] is a leader in the approach of adaptation of their game," Geoff Barry, general manager of sport and recreation for SNZ, said.

"They were all suffering declining numbers in certain segments of ages. Football very much led the pack, but the others, because they've got good intellectual property and grunt in their organisations, are catching up very quickly.

"But without doubt [NZF] had, and still have, leaders in adapting opportunities for kids to learn and play football."

This is not about the All Whites or the ASB Premiership. That's for the next couple of days. It's also not Barry's specific focus area. But within the zone he oversees, he likes what he's seen from NZF..."

(2) Soccer's state of play: Professional pathways - three ways to go pro