I still don’t know how this is going to work. My understanding is the NZ teams in the national league are strictly amateur (ie non paid) while the OCL is professional. Without having two squads, how can they get around this Catch-22.
I also would like to know if Christchurch Utd’s inclusion is seen as a step towards the A-League. If not, the OCL is an odd limbo to be in.
As for the exclusion of the Phoenix, without knowing criteria it’s hard to really assess if it’s fair or not. But broadly speaking the crowds are poor, there’s often talk of financial struggles/unable to break even, and to be honest they’ve looked pretty dire lately. Auckland is a far safer bet. As for Christchurch, with enough money behind them plus a solid plan then their inclusion doesn’t seem like a terrible idea.
You can’t help but wonder if this is going to cause any issues with the A-League in terms of scheduling/player availability etc.
I also would like to know if Christchurch Utd’s inclusion is seen as a step towards the A-League. If not, the OCL is an odd limbo to be in.
As for the exclusion of the Phoenix, without knowing criteria it’s hard to really assess if it’s fair or not. But broadly speaking the crowds are poor, there’s often talk of financial struggles/unable to break even, and to be honest they’ve looked pretty dire lately. Auckland is a far safer bet. As for Christchurch, with enough money behind them plus a solid plan then their inclusion doesn’t seem like a terrible idea.
You can’t help but wonder if this is going to cause any issues with the A-League in terms of scheduling/player availability etc.
OFC League is to run early Jan to sometime in May. Each team is guaranteed a minimum 17 games. Playoffs a top 4 & a bottom 4. With the best team in the bottom 4, playing the worst team in the top 4, before one off semis and a final.
So you could have players on say 6 month/26 week contracts. Starting pre season mid November, finishing mid May.
Basically similar to how most ALW players are only contracted for 35 weeks, and for the winter months often play for amateur domestic NZ clubs ,or NPL clubs in Oz which I presume at most provide free accommodation, food & travel.
So taking say Christchurch United's squad. They finish in mid May, then head off back to various clubs around NZ and Aussie's NPL, playing again as 'amateurs' May-mid September. Have a Sept-October off season, before heading back November into pre season at CU.
That's assuming CU's OFC squad is quite different to their current Southern League squad, ie for the OFC League they sign players from all parts on say 6 month pro contracts. Though I'm sure they will be keen just like the Nix to establish a pathway, for their more promisng youngsters from their Academy (biggest in the Sth Island?) right through to this new OFC team. Then hopefully sellng some for a transfer fee, to either of NZ's 2 ALM clubs, or offshore somewhere.
So yeah they will need to get those young promising players on 2-3+ year contracts, to lock in the chances of earning some transfer fees.
The likes of GSR, LBS, Supyk etc are contracted to the Nix but still play Central League. So I guess something similar will allow a cohort of longer term contracted young guys at CU, to play both summer/autumn OFC League, and winter Southern League.
Some plan like that if OFC's squad is a mix of their young guys coming through the Academy, and then separately a chort older more experienced guys they really only want to contract for a short 6 months. That sort of idea could work
Auckland II I don't know. A bit different again. Maybe their Northern Region side is effectively Auckland III, that in any given match day over the winter months can only have x amount (3-4?) of pro players from Auckland II.
Complicated more by NZF looking to move to a 12-14 club pure winter National League, that would yes overlap this OFC League.
Plenty to work through for sure, now the two NZ teams are confirmed.
