ASB franchises are designed for the best winter league players to join forces and compete at a higher level. I'd prefer to call them teams, rather than clubs in the true sense of the word. The chatham Cup is an historical and proud competition for all clubs in NZ and I don't think ASB franchises [or the Phoenix] should be playing in it.
Fair enough, I just don't see why ASBP teams who as others have said are basically rep teams can play in the OCL when the other sides are from clubs. I can't think of any other equivalent in world football. Even in rugby its only the southern hemisphere sides that are franchise based (Super Rugby).
So are the Wellington Phoenix not a franchise then rather than a club?
Whats the difference between a club and a franchise in your opinion then?
The whole A-League is franchise based as is the MLS amongst others with no promotion or relegation.
All pro teams, not just the MLS teams in the US and Canada and all registered Australian sides are/will be able to play in their FAs Cup competition whether they are franchises, rep sides or clubs. While not all of NZs football teams can play in the nation's premier cup competition.
That was my original point. I don't care if they are Rep (Waibop), Franchise (Waitakere) or Club (Central / ACFC).
As far as I've seen NZ is unique in this regard for better or worse.
IMO NZ is also very peculiar in having 3 diff senior football threads - A-League; ASB; club leagues - with absolutely no connectivity between them. Strictly verboten in fact. Yet in junior footie boys and girls are allowed to play against each other, and even play together in the same team!