Good chat here lads.
The thing that worries me the most is how it will or won't work alongside the Phoenix's proposed Academy expansion, and how that might play out for the players.
Widening the scope a bit here, ie pre ASB Youth age groups: Welnix must realise that regional Academies plan is the way to go; and ultimately the cream of the crop will migrate to Wgtn. Issue may be how young Welnix want to identify potential Academy players. In essence NZF already have talent ID set up via WOF plan/National and Regional Talent Centres (though admittedly this currently really only covers 11-15 year old age groups).