Prime Minister patron

Prime Minister patron

This http://nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=475&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=e53dfc578b, as can be found on the home page, makes my blood boil and confirms to me that 2010 is likely to be another missed opportunity as NZF does not know what it is doing.

Why on earth NZF would approach the NZ prime minister for a photo op without any real support behind it beggars belief! If the NZ government want to get on the bandwagon then do it properly and push NZ into Asia, with NZ Trade and Investment seminars organised around Asian match fixtures.

As a corny photo op with no substance behind it this is nothing but a new definition of bandwagonism. Or is there a further announcement coming?

Or, viewing life through slightly less miserable glasses, it could be the beginnings of an ongoing relationship with Government at the highest level that we have never had before.

Football populism from Key ?

Wilso will be so proud of you Smith.

Well that is what it should be, but there is no indication of that in the article. As it currently stands, it appears a photo op with no substance. I hope I am proved wrong.

Umm, I would have thought that the $300,000 the Government is contributing to the World Cup Campaign is at least enough to get them a photo op? (as politically opportune as that is, but why bite the hand that feeds?).

I'm sorry but 300k is a token gesture which is rather insignificant compared to what egg ball and snail boat racing get (for much less exposure for NZ).

Forgive me for getting upset when it appears that NZF are going to fail to build a legacy after 2010, but I want football to develop in NZ as it has in Australia now, not in 28 years or whenever there is another opportunity.
SC032010-03-31 17:21:03

^^ This.

We have to gather incriminating evidence to get favours. e.g. "Hey Mr Keys, you remembers this. (shows him photo) We would like this and this support. Thank you"

Its the only way we can get an ongoing relationship with the powers that be.

. . . . now only to get some supporting evidence on the Labour Party.

Agreed that $300k ain't much but it's still worth a photo I reckon. Or maybe we should give it back and retain our integrity?

Yeah,lets crtiticise anyone who comes on board to support football and pass them off as "bandwagoners"

Im going to jump on the bandwagon and start using the word bandwagon...

All i can say is thank fock uncle Helen is out. Imagine seeing that monstrosity in a AWs top?
AJ132010-03-31 18:27:39

Key is wearing Chris Killen's shirt number! Story coming up n 3 news...

Key to wear Killens number 10 shirt. I expect a lot more out of Killen. Walking around photo opportunities, smiling and waving won't get the ball into the opponents net, though it will get you the Prime Ministership it seems. Smile and Wave can be the patron, Killen needs to get us some goals.

They did approach Key, not the other way around. He couldn't really say no.

Seems like he is truely interested in helping football.

Yes it has, for three reasons - the Wellington Phoenix, Yellow Fever and the Bahrain game/World Cup qualification. But I see the gains from the third reason sliding backwards again after the World Cup.

I've stated many times on here where I think NZ should be playing it's football so I am not going to repeat it again here and risk re-starting an argument that people are perhaps already sick of.

And my point has nothing to do with maintaining integrity. Is it about whether NZF have the vision or competence to do things properly or whether their expertise only extends as far as photo opportunities.

Could you please clarify what you mean by that?

Exactly what is it that you think NZF should be doing that they are not?

I'm not having a go or defending NZF but I'm really not sure where you think it's all going wrong.

terminator_x2010-03-31 20:20:58

Because he had his photo taken in an All Whites top?

Really?

I am sure he can swing a few things for New Zealand football being the patron or it is a complete waste of time. Who else do we get for a patron if not the PM???

Helen Clark and Lange before her were patrons of NZ Rugby league.  Hard to argue that has done anything for the sport in NZ.  Wouldn't get too excited about this...but I suppose this is some sort of step in the right direction for NZF into the inner circle. 

It may not be an amazing thing. But for some to be criticising it is odd. I see nothing wrong with the PM being the patron at all. No negatives,but there are positives,even if theyre very minor.

Scheduling games at home against meaningful opposition. How else do we keep the general sporting public interested? Grass roots junior development needs to happen but its looking like thats all thats going to happen. NZF have no plans for the AWs actually playing football after the WC

What would you class as meaningful opposition? How would you incentivise them to come here to play?

Good move, well done.

But was John Key there on November 14?

And has he ever been to a Nix game?

On Nov 14th, I think he was out of the country attending a large emergency conference supposed to have lead by NZ on some urgent global issues in Europe but he did sent his congrats by telephone. I remember there are a mix up on when he was suppose to give a speech, but they could change in the last moment and so Kevin Rudd from Australia talked on our behalf as well. But he did get around some of the essential leaders to have a personal say on it.

As for the Nix Games, I can't really say. However if he goes to a few World Cup matches, he may catch the football bug.

I see no problem with Key coming on board....whats wrong with having your PM as patron of your sport. To anyone who questions the sincerity of his actions...forget it.

Basically I meant non-oceania, countries that would appeal to the general public and countries that they would have heard of before. Asian countries would do.. Japan, Sth Korea? Or next time a european nation or someone headed to Oz we could intice them across the ditch?? I dunno.

But yeah thats the issue, geography and money are not our friends.

It kind of sucks though because I think we truly need these home games against good teams if we want to make the game huge in NZ
AJ132010-04-01 14:42:11

Someone asked the question what's going wrong. I don't see anything going wrong, but I don't see much going right either. This is the biggest opportunity for 28 years but post World Cup I don't see any program for the All Whites, or no moves to reposition things so that there will be better programs in the future.

This is a risk in over-extending expenses ending up with NZF going broke again, which is exactly why they need to be banging on the door of the government to come on board with some sort of partnership.

Doing nothing avoids the risk but guarantees that the current head of steam will be wasted.

james dean2010-04-01 21:55:43

Well the PM has to be one of the most recognised faces in NZ. If he wants to support NZ Football, there is more plus than not..

He wasn't there on Nov 14 but the acting Prime minister Bill

Of course it is politics, but that's fine. I wouldn't say I'm exactly a fan of all of his politics but Mr Key comes across very well and is very personable, so if this patron role involves negotiations or persuading people on a political level, then he is the right man. Having interviewed him he does a good job at putting people at ease (as does Goff) and can spark a conversation with anyone he meets with ease. What this has to do with the patron role (what does the patron do?), I'm not sure. He probably has bigger issues on his hands though.

As for the All Whites, ultimately I would like to see the All Whites play in every international window, like most other countries. I don't care who it is against and I don't care where. In reality we can't expect many home games, because of the travel factor, but we need to play more.

In the short term, I feel more could be done by New Zealand Football to increase the exposure of the players and the team ahead of the World Cup. People say that 28 years ago the players were household names. I think most people wouldn't know more than the Fallons, Nelsens and Pastons this time around. Someone should be marketing the hell out of this, making money for NZ football and increasing the buzz around the team. Of course expectations aren't high for the world cup, but we are there! Come on! I think a world cup wall chart with our players around the outside would be a good idea once the team is finalised.

That's my rant.

By not playing the Aw's there is a commercial opportunity lost as well. As I posted earlier the AW's are now hot box office. Just like in Australia where after their good WC performance they now fill stadiums at home...its all good revenue for the FFA