Canterbury United

Yes we should be level pegging ACFC if Terris learned to tackle instead of waving a foot at the ball.

The second Auckland goal came after some good work by Aaron to peg Auckland near the corner in their half, Terris let the team down by being a pussy once the resulting throw in got into his area of the pitch out near the side line, he only had to commit to a tackle as the Auckland player went in weak as well. Result was the Auckland player nicked the ball and resulting cross Auckland scored from. Don't worry that other defenders too slow to close players down after the cross It was the captain who failed the team and paying spectators.

Bollocks. To pin the outcome on one 50-50 tackle is nonsense, what about the free header Kamo put wide towards the end?

It was a good tough game and either team could have snatched it although Auckland were the better side overall on the day. Clapham was anonymous for large periods of the game when we really needed him to stand out. 

Hey! Massive well done to the fans who made the trip to kiwitea st today - hope you had a great time despite the result.

Clapham off to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a 3 day trial.

Hope the lad gets a professional contract, he deserves it. Shame he's not at the Phoenix.

Darren White and Juylan Collett sign up for O League:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=10874365

Good luck to Darren White in the O League with ACFC, he's a welcome addition to the squad. Does this mean he could be moving to Kiwitea Street for the next ASBP season?

Wow...

Seems kinda strange how these teams can just sign whoever they want to fill holes in their team, awfully unfair on those players who actually got them there in the first place. I'm dubious as to whether the likes of White or especially Collett will get any time on the field at all, even in the ASBP if they hang around.

Besides, only once has a Kiwi team not won the O-League, why do they need extra help? Feel sorry for the players who have trained week in week out only to have their place swiped just as the alledged big tournament comes around.

That's a fair point. I agree it seems a bit unfair on the regular season players but I think we have to accept that Pacific Island football is improving and NZ teams can no longer assume they'll win the O League. The French are pouring a lot of resources into developing the quality of their Francophone teams from Tahiti and New Caledonia, as our crashing out of the Confederations Cup showed. Hekari ousting Waitakere the last time they defended the O League shows the gap is narrowing.

The ASBP teams competing in the O League have to step up a level from their regular season performances, which is why they seek to sign extra players. The O League is a tougher campaign than the ASBP which lets be honest is a two horse race, with only Canterbury and TW offering a decent non-Auckland challenge.

I think more of a case of making their squads up to 30 which I think the O League allows for with the ASB only a squad of 25 which  includes a number of academy players (5 maybe). 

It's called doing what you have to in order to win. Or in this case, qualify. It's what separates the pros - or in this case semi-pros - from amateurs.

Only just caught up with the fact that former Canterbury United defender Ben Hall is no longer playing because he has Motor Neurone Disease and is now confined to a wheelchair -  been a bit out of touch what with earthquakes etc. 

"The disease is the progressive and fatal degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It has no known cause and life expectancy is two to four years from diagnosis."

Fundraiser for a vehicle for him and other sufferers:

"Hi all, please support this Motor Neuron Disease Fundraiser for our friend, Ben Hall. Any money raised will be used to purchase a van which Ben will use & then pass on to MND NZ or another sufferer."

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MND-Fundraiser-for-Ben-Hall/240314519366394

Wow. I was wondering last year where he ended up. Tenacious defender. Best wishes for him.

No change to ASB Premier League make-up numbers wise but YH Manawatu replaced by NZ Under 20 side for next season with Waikato FC side now taken over the the Waikato BOP Federation - WaiBOP United, witthe Youth League increased to 12 teams.

Release from  NZ Football below.

New Zealand Football announce changes to ASB Premiership

May 10, 2013

AUCKLAND – The composition of the ASB Premiership will change for the first time in nine seasons with the inclusion of a national U-20 squad into the pinnacle domestic competition.

Following a complete review of the competition by the ASB Premiership Review Committee, the recommendation was made for the 2013/14 League to retain an eight team competition in the Premiership, but expand the ASB Youth League from 10 to 12 teams.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh is enthused by the changes to the ASB Premiership and the expansion of the ASB Youth League.

“We need to ensure any expansion is done in a manner that adds to the success and stability which the ASB Premiership has enjoyed to date. The decision to expand the youth league is about building a broad base and exposing more young players to relevant competition.

Six foundation franchises, Waitakere United, Auckland City, Hawke’s Bay United, Team Wellington, Canterbury United and Otago United have all had their licenses renewed.

The Waikato region retains representation in the league with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Football Federation agreeing to oversee the running of WaiBOP United - the region's ASB Premiership side, previously known as Waikato FC.

Palmerston North franchise YoungHeart Manawatu have been offered a place in the ASB Youth League, but have been removed from the ASB Premiership after finishing in last place for the three previous seasons.

The ASB Youth League will grow by two sides next season with the inclusion of Heartland Wairarapa from Masterton and a team from South Auckland added to the U-20 competition due to kick off in January 2014.

Nelson returned to national league football – via the southern conference of the ASB Youth League – for the first time in 12 years and although the Falcons enjoyed relative success, the feedback given to NZF was that there is a large amount of effort required.

“The Nelson Falcons example shows us that entry into the ASB Youth League is a good gauge on how teams handle a national competition on and off the pitch,” said McKavanagh. “ It will set franchises up in a manner that creates less pressure. Rather than trying to get two full teams up and running, they can focus on one team and getting the off-field infrastructure right, if that all works well they may be given the opportunity to move up to the ASB Premiership in the future. There is definitely a desire to move to a 10 team league at some stage.”

Heartland Wairarapa have also been given the green light for the ASB Youth League and will look to build on the success of 2011 ASB Chatham Cup winners Wairarapa United and push for a spot in the ASB Premiership in seasons to come.

With nearly a third of the nation’s population to select from, the Super City gets another ASB Youth League franchise in South Auckland.

New Zealand Football also confirmed that a national U-20 squad will be introduced into the ASB Premiership for the 2013/14 season and will comprise of players born on or after 1st January, 1995.

“This is an important component in the preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand in 2015,” said NZF High Performance Director Fred de Jong.

“One of the objectives is to retain our top young players in New Zealand for longer and entry into the ASB Premiership gives us an opportunity to prepare in a cost effective manner when compared to touring the team internationally.”

This is a continuation of the concept trialed by the Northern-based U-17 team that competed in the ASB Youth League earlier this year. That side provided the majority of the Young All Whites that won the Oceania Qualifiers last month and qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE later this year.

Exact draw details for the ASB Premiership and ASB Youth League will be confirmed at a later date.

ASB Premiership – Auckland City, Waitakere United, WaiBOP United, Hawke’s Bay United, Team Wellington, Canterbury United, Otago United, NZ U-20

ASB Youth League

Northern Conference – Waitakere United, Auckland City, South Auckland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay United, Northern-based U-17s

Southern Conference – YoungHeartManawatu, Heartland Wairarapa, Team Wellington, Nelson Falcons, Canterbury United, Otago United

Claps named in NZ 'A' side:

New Zealand ‘A’ v JordanNorth Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Tuesday, June 4
Kickoff: 7.30pm

New Zealand ‘A’: 1-Scott BASALAJ, 2-Andrew DURANTE, 3-Aaron SCOTT, 4-Tim MYERS, 6-Ian HOGG, 7-Cameron HOWIESON, 8-Cameron LINDSAY, 9-Luke ROWE, 10-Aaron CLAPHAM, 11-Jake BUTLER, 12-Jacob SPOONLEY (gk), 14-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 15-Ivan VICELICH, 16-Louis FENTON, 17-Tyler BOYD, 18-James MUSA
Coach: Neil EMBLEN

From Mainland Website:

ASB NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE (NYL) HEAD COACH

31.05.13

The Board of Canterbury United hereby seeks interested persons to apply for the position of Head Coach, Canterbury United Youth team (u20), participating in the ASB Youth League.

The ASB Youth League is played from early January until mid March and is preceded by a comprehensive pre season programme commencing in late November . Canterbury United has an excellent history of success in the ASB Youth League having won the title twice in the past five years. 

The Board of Canterbury United is committed to ensuring the continuation of this success as well as providing outstanding development opportunities for youth players to assist them to reach their full potential. This position will be contracted for two seasons (until 31 March 2015)  but will be subject to a 2014 season end review, held in April 2014.

Primary Head Coach responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Identifying and selecting (with two other selectors) a squad for pre season and ASB NYL season
• Through a combination of experience and relevant coach qualifications, provide outstanding coaching opportunities and planned training programmes for youth players
• Promote youth players into senior Canterbury United environment .
• Regularly liaise with ASB Premiership Head Coach on  senior team requirements  
• Set and maintain high standards of expectation of player on and off field performance.   

Expressions of interest along with appropriate CV should be made to:  
Roger Georgieff
Canterbury United Chairman
rgeorgieff@mgmarketing.co.nz  

Applications close 4pm  Tuesday 11 June  with interviews to be held that same week.

Click here for the Head Coach Job Description.

Canterbury United calling for applications for Youth team head coach. 2 season appointment. Halligan only did one season. Begs the question - does he already have other committments? John Brown's cashmere job for instance? Or, something else? Any obvious candidates?

Clapham about to head offshore. You heard it here first.

If Nelson Suburbs do carry on and win the MPL, surely some players must go close to Canterbury United selection.

E.g - Coey Turipa who has seven clean sheets in 11 games, captain Mark Johnston (Who I think turned down the opportunity as he wanted to stay and play for the Falcons), and Ben Wright if he wanted to actually play. I wonder where Gagame will go? I've heard he's having troubles with his VISA which is why he hasn't arrived yet.

Is Turipa still eligible for Youth, ie Nelson Youth? Or is he aligned with TW/Ole?

Looks like be will be heading to Aussie to become a Tiger. Maybe the best way to try annd get into the A League is playing over there, in the view of the A League coaches, extra media coverage etc.

the aussie teams won't pick up a kiwi, his only real a-league option is the phoenix.  it would be encouraging for clapham if merrick has set this up as a trial of sorts.  boxall is also in oz playign club footy at the moment btw

APIA Leichardt?

boxall's at the oakleigh cannons

Anyone heard anything about Canterbury possibly looking at 1 or 2 boys from Auckland? whispers of possible left back and center back from Birkenhead?

Hmm, if true - philosophically where do we stand on that one? Is there an official policy, or not, of local vs imports?

Interesting as do we have a confirmed 1st team coach yet?

Don't recall Keith's job being re-advertised and I can't recall initial term of appointment. Does Assistant coach position change if he's no longer coaching senior men's football; or is that at Keith's whim?

The CB will most likely be Sam Jasper, who has played for CU before.

Youth team coach announcement due soon?