Football Ferns

Its all because FIFA didn't want the Mens Olympic football tournament to overshadow the Men's FIFA World Cup, they don't care enough about the women's still to think it would overshadow their one.

MetalLegNZ

Didn't realise this... I wonder what the basis for that is?

Women's age group tournaments have proven successful and captured audiences, no reason why they shouldn't be staged like the men.

Because the Olympics are meant to be a pinnacle event, and the under-23* format on the men's side is a compromise.

Good news.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/300365257/football-ferns-defender-rebekah-stott-in-complete-remission-from-cancer

coochiee

Good news.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/300365257/football-ferns-defender-rebekah-stott-in-complete-remission-from-cancer

Yes, fantastic news for Stott!
I remember hearing recently that Cardiff City defender Sol Bamba has  announced he is in remission from it too.
Heard of a few athletes getting over it fortunately.
It seems more successfully treatable than many other forms of cancer.

Overnight results - Sweden beat Japan, Australia beat Great Britain, USA beat Netherlands. We really did have the group of death... considering that and our preparation, can't be too harsh on our women for their efforts. 

Controversial call:  I think we should dump most of the 100+ cap club and those with egos.  

Try and get Buckingham as Nix and FF coach and bring through some talented young women as many of the current team just aren't technically adept enough and came through when women's football was the poor cousin/ugly sister of sport.

lthomas20

Overnight results - Sweden beat Japan, Australia beat Great Britain, USA beat Netherlands. We really did have the group of death... considering that and our preparation, can't be too harsh on our women for their efforts. 

Sweden 1-0 over Matildas.
Canada with a 1-0 upset over USA.

So Sweden v Canada in the gold medal match.
Bronze Aus v USA.

Ferns really were in the group of death.

Comments on Ferns players who could be on the move. Prophetic prediction that a Ferns play may head to West Ham Ladies where Oli Harder (married to a Kiwi) is coach.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/8/6/the-olympics-are-done-now-prepare-for-flying-kiwis-transfer-season

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/126001951/football-ferns-goalkeeper-anna-leat-signs-for-fa-womens-super-league-club-west-ham

Annalie Longo is joining New Zealand Football as Women’s Development Officer.
She will continue to be based in Christchurch (and no doubt at only 30, will continue playing for Cashmere Technical and Mainland Pride plus the Ferns).
Statement from Mainland Football, her previous employer:
"It is with very mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Annalie Longo from Mainland Football. While we are gutted that Flea is leaving, we're stoked to announce that she will be joining New Zealand Football as Women’s Development Officer.

Over the last 6 years, Flea has done a fantastic job developing the women’s game in our region, and we are fortunate that she will be continuing to do this at a national level. The good news is that she will also be based out of Christchurch!

On behalf of the Board and the Staff at Mainland Football, we would like to thank Annalie for her service to the women’s game in the Mainland region, and we wish her well in her new role."

Why has she never gone overseas to play?

watching_from_far

Why has she never gone overseas to play?

She was playing in the WSL for Brighton when she was diagnosed. Has also previously played in the NWSL in USA.

Sorry was talking aboutLongo??? 

watching_from_far

Sorry was talking aboutLongo??? 

Isn't Longo a mum? That would make it hard to play overseas, though she has played in the W League.

I note Sermanni didn't play her much at the Olympics. Ali Riley mentioned there was a difference in fitness between likes of her, Erceg, Bott etc coming to Tokyo in season & fit, and some of the other Ferns out of season/off contract. And a huge step up from Canterbury womens club football for Longo, W League having finished months prior.

coochiee

watching_from_far

Sorry was talking aboutLongo??? 

Isn't Longo a mum? That would make it hard to play overseas, though she has played in the W League.

I note Sermanni didn't play her much at the Olympics. Ali Riley mentioned there was a difference in fitness between likes of her, Erceg, Bott etc coming to Tokyo in season & fit, and some of the other Ferns out of season/off contract. And a huge step up from Canterbury womens club football for Longo, W League having finished months prior.

Longo has just got a job at NZF, As womens development officer.  So she's probably not going back to the W-league next season.

My point more  being that she is 30? And never really seemed to give it a decent go overseas.

Obviously she won't go now with her new role.
Is it time for her to step aside if she is already of the pace.

The Fernies have a new Czech mate

"New Zealand Football is delighted to announce the appointment of Jitka Klimková as the new Football Ferns head coach."

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/107575?newsfeedId=1223861

decent pedigree and has experience within NZ she may even know some of the women in the team.

#pathways

Decent pedigree, and I'm sure she has been appointed on merit, but happy to now see a female as coach. Feels like the right time, and hopefully shuts the door completely on any lingering bad taste from the Heraf saga. Progressive.

Wonder if she would also get the Nix W League head gig, whenever that team starts up? Would seem to make a lot of sense, working with some of NZ's best young female football talent day in/day out, for a few months. Plus NZF could then help out a cash strapped Welnix with some of the coaching salary costs, of a W League team.

She's also coached Canberra United to the W League title, so great experience of the comp.
https://thewomensgame.com/news/klimkova-named-football-ferns-wc-coach-569320

fernies... hopefully that nickname gets the boot as well if the All White's does.

watching_from_far

fernies... hopefully that nickname gets the boot as well if the All White's does.

what's wrong with Football Ferns?

theprof

watching_from_far

fernies... hopefully that nickname gets the boot as well if the All White's does.

what's wrong with Football Ferns?

it discriminates against other flora

Can't stand those plants! No I mean people calling them fernies. They not a bunch of 5 year Olds 

watching_from_far

Can't stand those plants! No I mean people calling them fernies. They not a bunch of 5 year Olds 

... I picked it up from actual ex-Ferns I've played with, lol

Is she actually any good? How was her record here last time?

Also, it was a millennia ago when she did well in Canberra by women's football standards, has she improved like the rest of the game or has NZF simply played it safe by rehiring a former employee?

coochiee

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126284901/new-football-ferns-coach-jitka-klimkov-given-significant-backing-at-a-crucial-time

 

Klimková said her six-year contract “means a lot”.

“It means that New Zealand football is investing in football and sees it as a long-term operation.

“Our goal is to be integrated with our youth national teams, and you have to have time to do this job right. It's not just about being the head coach of the Ferns. I really want to take care of the youth programmes.

“Not that I'm going to coach the youth programmes, but I really want to incorporate the under-20s and under-17s. We are going to move the best players up, so they can be pushed, and they can be challenged, and it will take time.

“Giving me a contract for so many years, it really means a lot, and it means that New Zealand Football really cares about women's football.”

Really sounds like giving her the Nix womens job when it comes available as well would be suitable. Give her regular time with many of the players she wants to bring through and also make good use of the time when the national team isn't playing. 

coochiee

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126284901/new-football-ferns-coach-jitka-klimkov-given-significant-backing-at-a-crucial-time

6 year contract is a big commitment, 2 World Cups and an Olympics, I would’ve thought it would be likelier to contract until the World Cup and then re-sign or look elsewhere based on that performance. I suppose that expectations are fairly easy to achieve, as getting beyond the group stage won’t be likely, but qualification is a given how weak the islands are.

carlind

coochiee

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126284901/new-football-ferns-coach-jitka-klimkov-given-significant-backing-at-a-crucial-time

6 year contract is a big commitment, 2 World Cups and an Olympics, I would’ve thought it would be likelier to contract until the World Cup and then re-sign or look elsewhere based on that performance. I suppose that expectations are fairly easy to achieve, as getting beyond the group stage won’t be likely, but qualification is a given how weak the islands are.

Ferns don't have to Qualify as there host, but will prob play in the Qualification games for practise/game time.

NZF could be shooting themselves in the foot again with a huge six year contract 

Feverish

NZF could be shooting themselves in the foot again with a huge six year contract 

It is an extremely long contract in any sport. Hopefully it goes well.

Marto

Is she actually any good? How was her record here last time?

Also, it was a millennia ago when she did well in Canberra by women's football standards, has she improved like the rest of the game or has NZF simply played it safe by rehiring a former employee?

good questions
she applied for the job when Sermani got it - all he did was steady the ship after the Heraf debacle 
do really need to ask why Leon Birnie isn't there - I do really hope its based on quality rather than NZF think hey we can employ a woman.
And that statement has nothing to do with new boss, just a critical\cynical (depending on who you talk to) comment

coochiee

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126361028/football-ferns-midfielder-olivia-chance-at-the-double-for-celtic

Our women footballers seem to be playing at a pretty good level club-wise - so why do they play so shark at the international level? 

Genuine question. Is it a lack of depth? Or over-estimation of abilities? Poor coaching? Something else?