New Zealand Men's U-17s

I have seen the add and thats it, I read on OFC website a while back that they are bring qualifiers forward a year, so that the team that qualifies has a year to prepare. I'm can't remember the date but think maybe mayish. 

I was in wellington as well saw Bazley at one game and Andy Hedge at one game, didn't appear to be to much scouting going on.

Makes sense to bring qualifiers forward to allow more preparation time - goodness knows its needed, based on last few campaigns.

If that info is correct (and no reason to doubt it), then you'd think they'd be looking to get initial squad together ASAP - ie Easter holidays, rather than after NTC and in July. The Auk team was hopeless but I heard some (not sure how many) of the better players are at wynrs and thus not at tournament.

Auk was the team I went down to watch, to be fear I don't think results reflected the way they played, yeah they struggled in a couple of games and had a shocker in the first game and got spanked by wiabop. from an outside view maybe 2/3 Auk boys that played could get a lookin, not sure how many wyns weren't there but there bond to be 2/3 going from recent team if they are "eligable"  

None of the North Island sides were full strength I don't think. Certainly both Auckland squads and Wellington were missing a few players who opted out. Just saying I wouldn't get too carried away at winning it.

Edit - reading later posts, it's quite clear you're not getting carried away.

NZF didn't pay the tournament much attention. Good on Cap Footy for making it happen though.

You can only play whoever turns up. 15 boys - Waikato looked pretty strong and Northern were useful too.

Massive ups to Capital for getting this event back on the calendar for the 3 age groups that took part. The Welly 15s boys team were a skilful bunch - though decidedly young looking/small compared to some of the other teams there. Apparently a Wellington player - from 15s or 16s - was to be awarded a scholarship at the Phoenix Academy.

Plenty of NZF staff in attendance plus all the Fed Devt Mgrs. Pretty sure Hedgy was making notes when I saw him.

I'll be interested to hear who that is. I know one lad who was in that squad announced pre-tournament that he was heading there, so if he is "the one" then I'll be calling a huge stitch up. 

Were there any Phoenix/APFA people there scouting?

Posted 20 days ago by watching_from_far.
I have seen the add and thats it, I read on OFC website a while back that they are bring qualifiers forward a year, so that the team that qualifies has a year to prepare. I'm can't remember the date but think maybe mayish.

Global Game: Chile is November 2015. You won't get qualifiers before Dec/Jan I reckon.

Meanwhile, anyone got any news on U17 coaching appointment? I guess Andy Hedge & Fred de Jong will be the interview team?

Is their any South Island (or ex) in the team?

U17 coach applications closed 17 January.

yep Zoro coaches ACFC youth and is in charge at St Kents this year as well.

Ceri Evans, All Whites legend, ex - Oxford United, Christchuch United, Nelson United, probably won't have applied because of his day job as Clinical Director of the Canterbury Forensic Psychiatry Service but he's been coaching at the Mainland Academy and has been helping out nationally. Here's a BBC profile of him from 2010:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/oliverbrett/2010/06/all_whites_28year_world_cup_wa.html

'Given his background, he is also getting "more and more requests" to help out on the high-performance side of youth coaching at a national level, particularly with the mental aspect.'

[Ceri is one of the world's most highly-qualified psychiatrists trained at Oxford University] 

Top bloke - met him a couple of years ago at a function and reminisced about football in the 1980's and 1990's. My mum, a Welsh Londoner knew his dad, the Welsh former Crystal Palace defender and NZFA secretary Gwyn in Nelson in the late '70's - early 80's.

Great footballer! And as a top psychiatrist, well wouldn't he be in his element with NZF?

Can he help us fans out too... i'm still struggling to get over Christies selection for Mexico and my Herber angst.

Ha ha. He won't come cheap.

15 - 1 Chris Milicich

Chris has been told to go away, find a club team and win again and then come back from what I understand.

Don't think it will be him.

Zorro seems a good bet.

Ah. Cheers. Zoro would be good. ACFC youth on fire at the mo.

He's the one. No doubting his playing credentials. Question is, given he's had only 3-4 years coaching experience -whether NZF think he's ready to step up to national youth team and World Cup qualification campaign.

... In comparison to whoever else may have applied for the job.

Does Zoro hold any coaching licences? Like has he educated himself with a OFC A licences or higher?.

Andy is a top man. Had a bit to do with him while he was in LA and was always excellent.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9909644/Hay-Dragging-the-New-Zealand-Football-anchor

It appears it was Chris Zoricich

I touted Zoro for the job. I think he is/was an excellent choice and is still the person for the job.

This just shows where de Jong is with this job. Pay to play and there is no preparation. I thought the whole point of paying was so that there could be some preparation? Also the story of never having been in touch with the Phoenix? He is doing a great job of *facepalm* as per the people before him.

In my observations Chris Zoricich is an awesome coach who has achieved really good results with the ACFC Youth team over the last few years.  I thought he'd be a brilliant fit for the U17's role.

NZF's loss is St Kent's and Western Springs gain!

I'd get worked up but as no Sth Island player will make the side anyway why bother? :)

Zoro would have been perfect. Guts

 not sure if this is right place, but interesting photo of liam jordan could be leaning towards Sth Africa!  https://www.facebook.com/Wynrs 

apologies put on his overseas page  

Heard that Andy Martin offered Maia jackman a job when the door had been closed on her repeatedly by other NZF numpties (de Jong?). Maybe Martin will sort this shit out too?

Someone who is avoiding all NZ numpties is Liam Jordan, who just won player of the tournament in a major sth African u17 selection event. #bafana bafana