Population-only figs aren't any guide. To be mathematically correct, you can only look at the football playing population. I don't have the figs, but I reckon there is a higher % of the popn. playing football in the South Island than the North Island - socio demographic and other ethno-cultural reasons - so I'll stand by my guestimate until corrected.
A better way to tip the argument on its head would be if Ceri Evans, Danny Halligan or Mike McGarry were to be the next U17 coach. How would Aucklanders feel about that?
Anyway, I think this has now become a separate issue to the thread. Maybe it will find a thread-life elsewhere.