ASBP 2014/2015

A great question. Many Phoenix supporters seem to think the ASBP should just be a development league for them while we ASBP fans think the national league should be recognized in its own right. That's why we're trying so hard to talk up the ASBP. It has to be seen as an end in itself, not just an appendage for someone else or it's devalued, as you rightly point out reg22.

In a way we are because NZF is mostly interested in the Phoenix and as a consequence shows scant regard for its own national league, which is basically left to its own devices (namely ACFC winning the O League prizemoney each year). It's a bit like the girl being wooed by two suitors but one is glamorous and rich and the other struggles and drives an old car. Guess which one garners most of the attention? I wouldn't mind the indifference so much if NZF didn't then grab a slice of the O League prizemoney which ACFC works hard to bring home each year. If they're not prepared to invest in their own national league, at least keep their greedy hands off one of its primary sources of funding.

Personally I wish the whole ASBP was a separate entity from NZF and run by the franchises. Unfortunately Fifa wouldn't go along with that and we need the O League to survive. So we bring home the bacon and NZF showers all its affection on the other sibling. 

PS - I do watch Phoenix games on TV and I don't wish them to lose. I just love the ASBP/O League more.

I may regret asking this, but what resources of NZFs do the nix take exactly? Only thing I can think of is NZF paying part if rickis salary while he was here, and that hardly counts as he wasn't exactly going to coach the national side for free (as in it didn't actually have anything to do with the nix). 

So really we still aren't rivals. 

In fact, I think most nix fans would agree with you that NZF should pay more attention to the ASBP (leaving out the whole amateur league, pokie funding thing - which again isn't anything to do with the nix). 

Most nix fans also support ACFC or any ASBP representative in the O League and in the CWC. So again, not rivals. 

Its a one sides rivalry. Its kind of like (and you'll love this example) nz being rivals with Australia. Nz hypes up the rivalry and get right into the bledisloe cup etc, whereas most Aussies couldn't care less and wouldn't even know the bledisloe cup is on. And yes I get the irony of us being Australians and you guys being kiwis in that analogy :p told ya you would love it. 

Some tough truths coming out here. Who's going to play moderator. 

I'm not against the Phoenix at all and actually enjoy watching the A League games. I would like to see the Phoenix win the A League and appreciate how it's now developing a raft of young NZ talent. I wish the Nix every success.

My beef is with NZF and its attitude to its own national league. All they seem to talk about is the Phoenix, like the ASBP is the ugly little sister to be ignored. The new NZF head Andy Martin is only mentioning the ASBP as a means to give a Phoenix reserve side a weekly work out. NZF actually charge the franchises to compete in the ASBP, they don't invest in promotion, TV coverage or prize money. When ACFC win the O League NZF grab a slice rather than invest that in their own national league. This indifference pisses me off. I told Frank Van Hattum this when he dominated NZF and he dismissed me for impertinence. That's where I'm coming from.

NZF's attention and investment should be in its national league first and foremost. If NZF pulled its finger out it could bring in TV and decent sponsors for the ASBP, so it's about focus. The Phoenix has rich backers and can take care of itself.

Instead ACFC has to punch above its weight to keep the ASBP alive.

And he talked with Ivan V of ACFC and McGowan of Waitak at the ASB Charity Shield kickabout, so he should have learned a few things then.

I hope you're right but I don't hold out much hope because so far everything he has said has been about the All Whites and the Phoenix. Personally I don't think bringing in a London City banker and rugby chief is going to shift the focus of NZF from the glamour entities to the coalface of local competition. Hopefully he attended the terrific O League final on Sunday and got a wake up call that the domestic scene is not as boring as some claim. Fred De Jong was there but I don't think that translates into much. It certainly hasn't in the past.

And do they charge themselves? [Wanderers SC]

Should be in Cap 1.

A typical 'I've got nothing' response. 

Thanks for playing Ali. 

Cut him some slack Tegal. He doesn't get to play with others much considering the ACFC forum has had 0 posts in the last 6 weeks. 0!

Or that have been approved for it ....

I don't suppose the $65,000 charge will be much of a burden to Welnix and I would be pissed off if NZF footed the bill instead. The Wanderers I guess didn't have to pay and their bills were paid by NZF.  I just resent the ASBP being used as a convenient training ground for other entities as if that's all it's good for. ACFC strives bloody hard to keep the national league credible and NZF live off that.

in regards to playing standards...

despite the league's problems, the standard at the top of our league is not too far off the a-league.  in fact, you could probably explain it away as just being the difference between being pro and semi-pro.

beyond the top 2-3 the standard drops off very quickly and this fact owes everything to the apathy of NZF

now, imagine if we had 6 teams consistently operating at or near the level of auckland city.  now imagine this happening for 5 years.  the league would evolve and consistently improve and our little semi pro league would be something to be proud of.  we'd also be churning out good young players.

what we will never have the ability to do is sell the whole thing to the degree where it could be fully pro

This is precisely what I'd like as well. All this requires is NZF to make it their number one priority (after the AWs). Decent sponsorship money and we're away. Are you reading this Andy Martin, because you should be?

Rumours around hawkes bay, Chris greatholder been sacked and Brett angel to coach hb.

Surely not true? Chris Greatholder the best coach HB have ever had. Should be on the national coaching radar.

Wow. It surely cannot be for performance based reasons

Brett Angel = Sean Devine.

Luis Uehara at Southern also asked to reapply for his job. He declined citing lack of support for his vision. 

That's a good post Marto and I can't disagree with much you have said.

I think the one thing that stands out for me is that in the early years of the comp (and I think I am talking the 1st 3) there was some interest from NZF in running this properly but as you said, they had a complete donut in Glyn Taylor running it. I've had a couple of chats with Chris Kemp who is the new competitions guy and from most accounts seems to be doing a good job but now the resources are not there for him to do more with it. So you in essence have a guy that *could* do something more with it but there is no bags in the tin to make a cup of tea with. This is where Andy Martin steps in/up and shows if he has the brains for this job. He has muttered on radio that he wants more Kiwis in the ASBP (ACFC will be worried) but the intentions of that sentiment I doubt is one that many would disagree with - if this is the pinnacle league in the country and you want to get more Kiwis in to the AWs and overseas leagues then you need to put as many Kiwis as you can in the shop window and playing at a better level than winter football. That's a side issue to the main one that NZF need to give a real shit about their comp and try to put as many resources or seek financial resources into the running of the league without compromising the rest of the operations. Seatter had the AWs playing a lot, but it bankrupted NZF as a whole so you have to keep your eyes on many pots.

A 12 team league.... Its a great idea but then you have debate about where you go to and can those areas that will be suggested finance it AND sustain it. That's the key - you have to be able to sustain a team there financially and also from a cattle perspective (although good players will migrate to a region) With the current 7 (and I'll leave out Wanderers) you go back into PN, you would look at a 3rd team in Auckland, 1 in Nelson and then the last 2... do you look at Tauranga, New Plymouth, Gisbourne, Wellington, Christchurch? If you give one to the Phoenix and one to Wanderers, then that's your 12 team league.... Auckland has the cattle and would probably be able to sustain another league, Nelson has had their hand up for a while and everyone went ape-shit about YHM getting dumped despite no cash and getting whumped most weeks but they have history. The Phoenix pay for themselves and Wanderers is the NZF 'development vehicle and stepping stone for young players'

Sounds easy when written down but the execution is far tougher I am sure.

4 teams in Auckland ...its the travel thats the killer cost wise ...

I think what's missing here is that we, as fans of football, have a big part to play in the success of the ASBP and should not place the responsibility/blame entirely on the shoulders of NZF. 

Absolutely , theyve done a splendid job , as they always do ...