National League review and future

The Auckland United bid would have had to have been pretty impressive for them to get a shot I reckon

I understand that Waitakere will 'become' Orakei United next season and be based, as they are this season, at the new Oceania complex in St Johns!!

Crikey, on that 3G? It's good 3G mind, but really?

It's not really great turf to be honest. But they already play on turf in Canterbury so shouldn't be a big deal.

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I understand that Waitakere will 'become' Orakei United next season and be based, as they are this season, at the new Oceania complex in St Johns!!

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Wasn't that the "rumour" that was supposed to happen this season?

They would have to be in bed with the suburbs bid for this to happen, since Ellerslie and Suburbs control the prime time slots on Ngahue and they are not taking our slot.

I'm thinking this will happen 

League will be Southern . Canterbury.Tasman . wairarapa or Auckland utd.T.W .East Subs..Auckland city. Hawkes bay. Hamilton Wanderers.  Phoenix B.

Think Waitakere are rooted. Suburbs obvious choice...

Tasman much needed and all the region want it...

Wairarapa got the money and facilities 

Auckland utd prob got money but have the N.Y.L and made a good go of it....

Just my opinion.

The national league is always most appreciated when a region/club/franchise doesn't have it.

When they do have it, it becomes "less of a thing", somehow.

The Nelson district has a particularly tortured history.

Nelson was arguably the leading South Island province in the three years of the first summer national league. (1996-98)

But  Soccer New Zealand dumped them for failing to satisfy that they could meet the financial criteria - only for them to win an injunction and legal appeal and prompt the late formation of a 11-team league for 1997-98. (Justice Hammond ruled that Nelson could be readmitted to the summer league provided it paid a $30,000 entry fee within a week).

Then in 1998 it was former Nelson chairman Warwick Heal who headed the review committee which shocked in proposing the formation of an 8-team South Pacific Cup, which would include a team from Fiji, but cost $120,000 plus GST to enter. It proved totally unreaslitic.

Ironically, by 2000 Nelson were forced to withdraw from the winter competition because of financial difficulties, $50,000 in debt. 

Then by 2003 they were trying to get back in, but weren't accepted.

Read The National League Debates, for sale via www.nationalleaguedebates.weebly.com

Big difference for Tasman United is that all clubs (in Nelson & Marlborough) are behind it, in the past there was Nelson United (now FC Nelson), then the summer league came along and it was Nelson Suburbs. Then there is the separate entity of Youth League Nelson Falcons. 

Not sure what crowds are like this season, but when I was living down there the Falcons were getting around 4-500 a game

Tks Dave,

Love your blog, by the way.

In the original summer league Nelson reported crowds of 600-700 at Guppy Park - but estimated they actually needed 1000 a game to break even when they withdrew with major debt in 2000.

(Still, that's no different to the national league "maths" elsewhere.)

Like most places, I imagine Tasman would do a fine bang-up job for the first couple of seasons. It's usually the third season that the real struggle begins.

I imagine there will be much empathy towards a Nelson bid from older fans.

I Would love palmy marist to be in there but I just don't think as a team they are strong enough, not just as they are now but attracting reserves etc.

They pulled the pin apparently

According to Fairfax, the following 'clubs' are presenting their case to NZF today.

North Shore City, Eastern Suburbs, Onehunga Soccer, Auckland United, Hamilton Wanderers, Wairarapa United, Western Suburbs and Tasman United

ASBP contenders

No Palmerston North Marist?

No see here

I've been enjoying Enzo's initiative - inviting soapbox time to aspiring club entrants, via in-the-back-of-the-net

Of the 4 entries to date, I'm yet to see much mention of developing pathways and teams for womens football, let alone mens and womens futsal.

I can't help thinking, as others have alluded to, that NZF have conflated the criteria for a national club league with federations' raison d'etre.

Today's the day!

Sooo... when exactly is the announcement?

14:30 apparently

It's NZF, we could all be waiting here until this time next year!

Seven of the clubs involved in the current eight-team competition will continue in the expanded league with Auckland City FC, Waitakere United, Hawke’s Bay United, Team Wellington, Wellington Phoenix, Canterbury United and Southern United all at the start line for next season.

Those seven will be joined by new additions Hamilton Wanderers (replacing WaiBOP United), Auckland-based Eastern Suburbs AFC and Tasman United with all clubs handed two-year licenses. All 10 entities will field teams in the ASB Premiership competition as well as the feeder ASB Youth League.

So can all teams now enter Chatham Cup? Would be shark if Eastern Suburbs couldn't defend their title next season.

Ngahue reserve needs some serious work done in the next few months before it starts hosting Eastern Suburbs games absolutely no spectator facilities there. 

Here are Enzo reports on the three clubs. Also good to read the comments as some good questions asked in them as well.

Hamilton Wanderers

http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2015/12/11/the-case-...

Eastern Suburbs

http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2015/12/08/the-case-...

Tasman

http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2015/12/13/the-case-...

Seriously gutted for North Shore City and Auckland United who I both think made really compelling bids it's just a pity we can only have a 10 team league. 

Eastern Suburbs and Tasman United.

And Hamilton Wanderers got Waibop's license 

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/new-trio-to-join-asb-p...

Cook Strait Derby!

Covered seating for 1000 via NZF.

Didn't see that coming. Thought Auckland United or North Shore City would be the third Auckland team. Interesting to see if all teams will be allowed to enter Chatham Cup or just Hamilton Wanderers and Eastern Suburbs

Good call on Eastern Suburbs, but it's a pity that Auckland Utd appear to have missed out as a result. Frankly, with the way things are going right now I'd rather have Auckland Utd than Waitakere Utd. I think Waitakere are lucky to still be there.

Is it just an off year for Waitak though or something deeper? If they can come back and be competitive next year then they deserve to stay in.

It's not just on the pitch for Waitakere, it's right across the board. 

When the draw comes out I think Yellow Fever should plan a day trip or overnight trip to the Derby!

Why is everyone so surprised Auckland United missed out? Haven't exactly set the world on fire in the youth league.

I'd be all over a weekend trip down to Nelson if they played a wellington team on a Saturday night

Not sure NZ has the player base for a 10 team league, let alone the 12 or 14 some suggest.

Hamilton Wanderers (and so I assume Eastern Suburbs) will retain a northern league side, which will play in the Chatham Cup, I'd expect.

think geographical issues hurt NZ in this instance. Because the league isn't professional, very few player move between regions to play.

In general I reckon there is enough talent in Auckland for 3/4 teams and Wellington for 3 (including the nix). But Southern struggle. As might Tasman. But if you are willing to give those two teams a pass results wise just to give a pathway for the couple of players who might be good enough to go onto better things, then you could easily get to 12 teams.

I'm not surprised I'm just disappointed reading through the posts on Enzo's page I thought theirs was one of the more compelling cases for inclusion probably 2nd to Tasman in my opinion.