National League review and future

Sorry just catching up on this.  Is the top comp going to end up Summer or Winter?

NZF review implied summer for a while, but eventually a July - March season of 30 games by 2018-19.

Can I insert a free plug....?

In the national league life cycle there is always the most enthusiasm and fervour for belonging on the cusp of a revamp - of which we have had five major ones since 1992 (superclub, summer, North & South Island leagues, winter, NZFC), and many minor ones (10 teams, 11 teams, three rounds, two rounds, playoff variations, age-group team additions, Phoenix addition).

It's usually in year 2 or 3 after a revamp that it all goes a bit flat.

To appreciate how history often repeats, read The National League Debates - , available via www.nationalleaguedebates.weebly.com

No.

Whoops.  Too late.

Trying to put it together, I've got:

6 Auckland

2 Waikato

1 Hawkes Bay

1 Palmy

5 Wellington

1 Tasman

1 Chch

1 Dunedin

The South Island is happy with 3, you guys can fight over the rest.

Yeah the NZF goal is for 10 teams playing a 30 round season, which is really 27 normal rounds + 3 (pre-season Charity Cup, semis and final). But if we can get 14 credible bids then we could just have 26 rounds + 3, with each opponent faced twice instead of three times. I don't understand the need for a ramping up period. But if need be you could have one or two transition years with the 14 teams where each opponent is faced just once, i.e. 13 rounds + 3, which is only one round less than what we have at the moment. 

Very interested to hear what the Wellington bids are. 

Avoid diluting the player base too quickly? We already have teams that are at a really poor standard for a televised league (looking at you Southern)

Assume Wairarapa in your Wellington number?

So, for argument's sake, let's assume 18 clubs meet the criteria. Strategically how should NZF approach that situation? Go for more than 10 initially? What would forumites' priorities be?  Geographic coverage, proximity to airports? Remember, we will assume financial and player base sustainability and other criteria are all met. How would you play it from there?

I know they've said no, but what odds a late bid from Cashmere Technical?

Fair point. I wouldn't mind if the new teams were propped up with imports though. There must be plenty of bona fide talent in Europe and South America that would be interested in playing a season here, not to mention the Pacific Islands. It could have a dual purpose as a development league for international players at the same time as an elite league for local players. Those two objectives could merge together at about the same level of play and hopefully it would be a win/win. 

Get guys like Hudson to use his contacts at Chelsea to send some of their prospects out to the south seas for a year. Seriously, NZF could act as a broker to put players in touch with clubs. Maybe NZF could take the risk to fly in a whole bunch of players in pre-season, organise a couple of trial games, and then run a formal draft system to assign them to clubs. On an annual basis the clubs would take turns at having first pick, second pick, etc. This would overcome the problem that the clubs may not have extensive international networks or be willing to take a risk on an unknown quantity. NZF could absorb a bit of that risk for the clubs and put their network to good use.        

1 x Dunedin,

1 x Christchurch.

1 x Nelson, 

2 x Wellington (You've already got the Nix...!)

1 x Waikato

1 x Napier/BOP

3 x Auckland

Sorted. Someone ring Sherman.

Napier/BOP. Not sure that will work.

Aside from that, the most conservative approach thinkable; hardly new and improved national league - sorry Nelson and 3rd Auk team. However, probably the most likely.

Couple of other thngs to consider. Are NCR making a bid? And is there a chance that Waitak fold?

Appaently Waibop are handing their licence over to Ham Wanderers 

Blimey. 

assuming Ham Wanderers meet the entry criteria.

Appears NZF have recieved 8 bids for the 2 spots available.

Still assuming Waitakere United meet the new criteria there.

Tasman United, North Shore City, Palmerston Marist.... some interesting new ones there.

Looks like the Waitak licence is moving East they might re name.

Is this it, so far? 15 for 10 licenses?

1. ACFC
2. Waitakere; possibly rebrand to North Shore entity
3. Other Auckland 1
4. Other Auckland 2
5. Waibop >>> Hamilton Wanderers
6. Palmerston
7. Hawke's Bay
8. Wee Nix
9. Wairarapa
10. Team Welly >>>Miramar ?
11. Wests
12. Wgtn Olympic
13. Tasman
14. Canterbury
15. Southern

Interesting the North Shore City (Oi, that's ACFC's name you rotters) piece in Granny Herald says NZF want to move the ASB Prem to the winter - because that's not what the NZF Review says...

WaiTakaGlenShoreBirko Utd Rovers

FC Atletico Real Mess AFC Rovers

Devonport Hamlet FC

Now we're talking.

A winter comp would be bad news for the Phoenix, the WeeNix need to be playing during the A-League season to keep fringe players match fit. Also bad news for the regional comps as well I would have thought.

If you want to try and build the sport's tv audience then its best not to be competing with Rugby either, the best way to get people watching is if there is nothing else on.

It's what every other A league club does - their development team plays in the state leagues in winter. The Australian National Youth League has been reduced to a regional 8 week joke.

I make it ...

Why do they?

Because it's a hotbed of football.

And then Albany can be an actual home ground!

Do you mean Auckland United? or is the South Auckland entry hoping Auckland City change their name to Central United?

Opps Auckland United

That would have been WAY confusing.

Auckland City for the peninsula, United for south of Otahuhu, North Shore City for over the bridge. The sort of derby mix the FFA can only dream of.

And Waitakere.

Would think Easts would have a strong base given their junior numbers and money.

I sense a great disturbance in the force, as if bids from outside of Auckland suddenly cried out in terror, and were silenced....

What's the population of greater Auckland region compared to whole South Island? Is 3 clubs in South Island and 3 or 4 in Auckland right? Is that even a relevant question? What are the key strategic drivers for the decision, assuming criteria are met?

Auckland 1.37 million - South Island 1 million so 3 clubs for each about right

Only if "equitable geographic spread" is a key driver. I'm not sure it is.