Noah4thenix wrote:
If I can offer something else to consider, assuming we do end up getting an OFCPL team then I think we should be able to get relegated from the National League. We'd already have a squad playing at a higher level so how much does it really matter if our 3rds can't compete in the top tier of NZ every time?
Yeah that idea has some merit.
However any Nix II team in the OFC Pro League (OFCPL) is likely to have large number of players brought in, who ain't from the Nix Academy (Wee Nix). That's the way Auckland have done it with their team in the OFC Pro League.
The OFCPL has a massive financial carrot for the winners, ie annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup, plus the 4 yearly CWC. Developing players for the ALM nice, but winning the comp seems Auckland's main focus, hence bringing in a heap of players from other Northern & Central (Prins) clubs. Also Faulds, Ferguson (Oz) plus effectively Normann & Robinson from overseas.
So Auckland's current squad in the Northern League is still far more AFC II than AFC III.
I'm guessing that will stay the same next year when the OFCPL and winter National League overlap for the first few months.
However any Nix II team in the OFC Pro League (OFCPL) is likely to have large number of players brought in, who ain't from the Nix Academy (Wee Nix). That's the way Auckland have done it with their team in the OFC Pro League.
The OFCPL has a massive financial carrot for the winners, ie annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup, plus the 4 yearly CWC. Developing players for the ALM nice, but winning the comp seems Auckland's main focus, hence bringing in a heap of players from other Northern & Central (Prins) clubs. Also Faulds, Ferguson (Oz) plus effectively Normann & Robinson from overseas.
So Auckland's current squad in the Northern League is still far more AFC II than AFC III.
I'm guessing that will stay the same next year when the OFCPL and winter National League overlap for the first few months.