OFC Professional League

I have had a day or so to think about this decision:

A few theories I have is:
Auckland was always going to get a team IMO.
Christchurch is good as the SI gets a pro team regardless of the league/future.

IMO the Phoenix may have half arsed their application because they thought the Ressies are a shoe in at the least and this is a wake up call.

The Nix has always had a smug vibe when it comes to stuff like this and the way they got into Capital Football leagues prove it and how they treat other clubs in Wellington, I say this as Auckland and Christchurch seem to be building rapport with teams in their region, (however NZ Football may have instructed the clubs that the Auckland Ressies would be NL like the nix so they could have acted differently).

The Nix need to focus on winning trophies in their current comps because Auckland could have 3 by the time the Nix confirms one.

Taking legal action because you are the 'biggest' club in NZ and you are entitled to inclustion you got to change. Dome out, because the way the Nix are going I give it 24 months and they aren't the biggest club at the latest

The Nix have done a tremendous amount for  football in NZ. I like Dome. Usually always feel better about the club after listening to him

But in this situation he has really mis read the room with that legal action threat. Does reek of a smugness or arrogance about where the club sit in the overall picture. Time for some introspection and learnings about why they missed out

It’s hard to read this moment. 

It feels like it could be a pincer movement that cripples the Nix shutting them out of a potential CWC money and we get Auckland free to rewrite football history. 

Or it could be a competition that falls over or is in another shape or is included under Australian and Asian remit and none of these local machinations are important in a few years. 

Certainly being seen as attacking Christchurch football isn’t going to help any pivot southwards for taking games away. 

It feels though like some petty thing in the OFC or NZ game where someone has a personal thing against the Nix, because their kid or nephew got released from the academy or something. 

But yeh nobody looking good here. AFC the only lot not really bothered. They’ve got Auckland, crown jewel for sponsors and the like, and they’ve got good backing anyway. And a trophy. 

Certainly the comms about various things and the changing stories don’t make you feel confident it’s an open and shut case.

Domey has done good things for the club but he is also a whiney loser. This is far from the first time, seems that half the time he makes a public statement or is in the news it is him whining about something or other. Is it any surprise that the Phoenix are serial losers? 

I always thought Dome was a very good administrator , good organiser, back room type guy who let the club drift along. Never really rated him as a big picture ambitious CEO who drove the club forward. We have been seriously blindsided in the last 12 months. Firstly by AFC who have shown a kiwi club can win stuff and now this fiasco.
Id like to keep Dome in admin but i believe we need fresh blood at the top.

austin111

I always thought Dome was a very good administrator , good organiser, back room type guy who let the club drift along. Never really rated him as a big picture ambitious CEO who drove the club forward. We have been seriously blindsided in the last 12 months. Firstly by AFC who have shown a kiwi club can win stuff and now this fiasco.
Id like to keep Dome in admin but i believe we need fresh blood at the top.

 
You're bang on the money IMO. the reaction to Auckland existing and how the Nix have been since proves we need fresh blood. The Nix had it easy when they were the only club in NZ, I don't want to go back to the NRL but if their was a second NZ team, the no. 1 goal would be win a title before the Warriors (if they hadn't at the time).

A couple of poor seasons from here and the Nix could be in trouble.

The Nix could be in trouble? What do you call the mess the Nix is currently in? Be prepared for AFC to even further demonstrate the already massive chasm between the teams in about 10 minutes time

it really is a wonderful piece of akl trolling that pic…

martinb

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LG

martinb

Eh? So they include Melbourne with 3 teams? This week still. Heroes bringing that professional game to Victoria. Not Cairns or anywhere like that as earlier speculated.

Areas without pro-team, but including Auckland? Oh okay. Just call it the no-Phoenix club then. 

Piney keep wearing that blue jersey buddy on the subject of bad looks. 

Has Piney moved to Auckland? Perhaps Spoonley has finally battered down his defences of Wellington. He seems to spend a lot of time praising Auckland all of a sudden. All I want is some unbiased and honest reporting.

I’m always gunna love Piney, not least that iconic pre-season cup penalty shootout call, but he’s too close to Auckland FC for my liking these days. 

Guna add some spice to this Heidelberg game!

It seems the main reason this is important is it is an avenue towards the champions league and club World Cup. But does anyone see this competition actually being a success in and of itself? I really can’t see it succeeding. My measurements of success are around things like quality of football, crowds/fan engagement, profitability etc.

loyalgunner

It seems the main reason this is important is it is an avenue towards the champions league and club World Cup. But does anyone see this competition actually being a success in and of itself? I really can’t see it succeeding. My measurements of success are around things like quality of football, crowds/fan engagement, profitability etc.

It depends. I just really hope the island teams take it seriously with recruitment. They need a good mix of core standout locals, a few foreigners to lift standards and add experience, and some exciting youngsters to break through. Good coaching/staffing and serious professional setups needed too.

But I worry a bit that teams chosen might be too young and focussed around development/building experience. For example I have heard the Fijian side "Bula Boys" may just be the national teams U23 side. 

I'm sorry, but that's not going to compete against improved Christchurch United and South Melbourne sides plus an Auckland FC team chocka full of good young Kiwi talent. I fear that if the NZ/Aus teams are too dominant early on, the league will struggle to get off the ground.

imanixsupporter

The Nix could be in trouble? What do you call the mess the Nix is currently in? Be prepared for AFC to even further demonstrate the already massive chasm between the teams in about 10 minutes time

I was being generous. I know the Nix are in trouble and part of the blame is the current leadership (e.g. Dome) and the arrogance they have have shown as a result of missing out of the OFC League.

Can we stop thinking that this competition is about developing Oceania talent please! It's about the money and that's all it's about.

The Phoenix are pissed off because they were one of the first fan boys of this comp and did a lot of work behind the scenes to help get the idea off the ground and now they've been ditched.

The biggest concern really is that the club world cup money (or now  the annual Intercontinental cup money) that used to come into the NZ game via Auckland City, Waitakere United and Team Wellington (50% of what they earned would go to other NZ National League clubs) will go to Auckland FC or Christchurch United (or a pacific island team) who will unlikely be willing to give back to the game in NZ (Not sure the Phoenix would have either).

There are so many issues that this brings up 
- how can South Melbourne and Auckland FC play across 2 federations
- how can Christchurch United continue to play in the NZ Championship \ Southern League now they are a professional team
- Will NZF realise allowing professional teams to play in their leagues and cup competitions makes them lose all integrity?
- What will the crowds be like? In Solomons, Vanuatu and Fiji probably pretty good, but will Christchurch United v Tahiti United actually attract any fans when they play in Fiji (or even Christchurch)?

If this was a league genuinely about raising the standard of football in Oceania I'd be all for it, but for years the Oceania nations have seen the money that has gone to NZ (and once to PNG) and they want a cut, now they have a much better chance of getting it. Which is exactly the reason Auckland FC and the Phoenix wanted in. 

Maybe not as massive after all, but it is just pre-season of course. 

imanixsupporter

The Nix could be in trouble? What do you call the mess the Nix is currently in? Be prepared for AFC to even further demonstrate the already massive chasm between the teams in about 10 minutes time

Yep. 

And following that logic and looking at the history of the confederation and every consequential FIFA decision ever made….

At the very least that sounds like we’d owe the Nix an apology and that with all these sound bites there’s a lot being said which sounds like ‘doesn’t the PM look tired’ and we’re helping by repeating it and joining the beat up.

The only other thing to consider that however flawed this might be the best chance Oceania gets to get professional football, so flawed might beat nothing which is what most of us assumed was possible.

imanixsupporter

The Nix could be in trouble? What do you call the mess the Nix is currently in? Be prepared for AFC to even further demonstrate the already massive chasm between the teams in about 10 minutes time

That worked out well

Glad to be wrong. Genuinely makes me more optimistic about our chances this season. Even more damning about the quality of the A-League at the moment though. Up to the Jets now to restore some dignity to the institution. 

Other than Auckland and CHCH, I'm wondering if these other clubs actually have the resources to stay fully professional without FIFA's band aid, to survive more than 3 seasons to be honest. Sure the games might seem popular but with all the travel on top of the wages and running of a club, do they have the populous to make it work or is it an even bigger dark hole the money is going into, just like the A League in some cases.

I imagine the broadcast deal will be super important. Different but similar, the NRL has mentioned the extra pay for view league subscribers they hope to get in PNG when an NRL team starts up there in 2028. PNG does have a popn of 12 million after all.

Seems some of Island Govts like Solomons and Vanuatu are also keen for this league to do well. Those countries have no other pro sports teams, and it's good politically to have a sports team around making the voters happy.

And the whole idea of the Hub concept seems to be to keep costs down, giving the league a higher chance of being sustainable. Too early to say how it will go. I really hope it survives and there is even expansion down the track. 

You listen to Brian Kaltak talk about how hard it is for a young Vanuatu kid to break into pro football, and you can't help but wish this new League all the best.

Do worry that the league could be a prime target for Asian gambling syndicates, and dodgy yellow card offers etc. $10K might be half a SI player's salary in this 6 month league. The wages won't be very high. Hopefully OFC and FIFA are all over that and highlighting to the players it ain't worth it.

I don't see how FIFA could let Auckland FC into the CWC if they win the OPL. Isn't it the same as the nix reserves not being able to win the National League and representing NZ that way? For me the only teams that should be eligible to qualify are the Oceania teams, not A-League or Australian NPL teams.

Wibblebutt

I don't see how FIFA could let Auckland FC into the CWC if they win the OPL. Isn't it the same as the nix reserves not being able to win the National League and representing NZ that way? For me the only teams that should be eligible to qualify are the Oceania teams, not A-League or Australian NPL teams.

Agree with this. For an Australian ALM club to get to the CWC is extremely tough. WSW's AFC Champions League win in 2014 was a minor miracle.

They will rightly be pissed off if AFC get to the CWC, through the much much easier OFC League pathway, and the CWC riches that come with that.

"What are you an A League/AFC club, or an OFC club?" they could fairly ask. Bit rich to want to have it both ways.

Or is it a confederation decision? Is the reason the Nix and Auckland FC can't represent from the A-League route because AFC won't allow them to represent them, rather than a FIFA decision?

coochiee

Wibblebutt

I don't see how FIFA could let Auckland FC into the CWC if they win the OPL. Isn't it the same as the nix reserves not being able to win the National League and representing NZ that way? For me the only teams that should be eligible to qualify are the Oceania teams, not A-League or Australian NPL teams.

Agree with this. For an Australian ALM club to get to the CWC is extremely tough. WSW's AFC Champions League win in 2014 was a minor miracle.

They will rightly be pissed off if AFC get to the CWC, through the much much easier OFC League pathway, and the CWC riches that come with that.

"What are you an A League/AFC club, or an OFC club?" they could fairly ask. Bit rich to want to have it both ways.

Well we aren't allowed to go via their route so i hardly see it being rich at all to take what OFC are offering up.

Agreed you take what you're offered for sure - but if Auckland keep winning the OPL and getting the Intercontinental payday doesn't that give them a big financial advantage over the other A-League teams?

Wibblebutt

Agreed you take what you're offered for sure - but if Auckland keep winning the OPL and getting the Intercontinental payday doesn't that give them a big financial advantage over the other A-League teams?

Yeah probably and if it ever came to be that the Nix were in that position we would be loving it right?

Buffon II

Wibblebutt

Agreed you take what you're offered for sure - but if Auckland keep winning the OPL and getting the Intercontinental payday doesn't that give them a big financial advantage over the other A-League teams?

Yeah probably and if it ever came to be that the Nix were in that position we would be loving it right?

Absolutely! But from the perspective of all the Aussie A-League teams I'd not be happy. I guess what I'm also asking is why all of a sudden a NZ A-League team can qualify through OFC when we weren't allowed to before? At what level does the decision get made about who can represent the confederations at these competitions?

Wibblebutt

Buffon II

Wibblebutt

Agreed you take what you're offered for sure - but if Auckland keep winning the OPL and getting the Intercontinental payday doesn't that give them a big financial advantage over the other A-League teams?

Yeah probably and if it ever came to be that the Nix were in that position we would be loving it right?

Absolutely! But from the perspective of all the Aussie A-League teams I'd not be happy. I guess what I'm also asking is why all of a sudden a NZ A-League team can qualify through OFC when we weren't allowed to before? At what level does the decision get made about who can represent the confederations at these competitions?

I believe it's the confederation that makes the decision not FIFA.

If the salary cap gets tightened up in the next few years like has been proposed then the CWC and Intercontinental Cup money wouldn't give Auckland an advantage in the A-League other than them being even less likely to go bust

Wibblebutt

I don't see how FIFA could let Auckland FC into the CWC if they win the OPL. Isn't it the same as the nix reserves not being able to win the National League and representing NZ that way? For me the only teams that should be eligible to qualify are the Oceania teams, not A-League or Australian NPL teams.

I mean this is the guts and I think how most of us felt beforehand. Either both the A league teams get a shot or neither, right? Leaving out one club with no pathway to the CWC is spectacular BS. 

Is some Vanuatu players I read in either the CU first or U23/Reserve teams

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/01/listen-christchurch-uniteds-bid-to-unite-south-island-clubs-behind-pro-league/

Edwards said he had already held a Zoom call with club representatives from around the South Island, seeking their input on how collaboration could work for them.

He wanted their ideas, not for United to impose their views on others.

To succeed with their application, Christchurch United had urged assessors to see the club as representing the South Island.

“Our main pitch was collaborating with the South Island and creating a South Island team that unites the whole of the region together, and a team that collaborates with the whole of the Oceania region as well,” he said.

Edwards said research showed the closer the professional pathway was to the young player, the more they believed in the opportunity.

“If we have a professional team here in the South island, with kids from around the South Island seeing the players play and being exposed to that, than their belief grows because it’s attainable for them.”

An example of how the club could work within the Oceania region was their recent partnership with the Vanuatu Football Federation.

Christchurch United general manager Ryan Edwards (centre) presents the VFF general secretary Albert Manaroto (left) and VFF president Lambert Maltock with Christchurch United shirts at VFF Freshwater Stadium.

Edwards said that while United’s journey to the professional game had been 11 years in the making, the club now had four months to get ready for its launch.

The club anticipated having teams in the OFC league from January till May, and another team in the New Zealand National League.

“A lot to be done; a short timeframe,” he said.

But the South Island isn’t that close to Vanuatu…

So their pitch was South Island! We don’t know how…um, because because … they’re gonna tell us what they want…it’s about them…
and we’ve got some friends from Vanuatu! We gave them shirts. 

So FIFA cash yes?

Does that summarise the article correctly? It’s best for players to be closer to home, like Invercargill and Vanuatu? 

martinb

But the South Island isn’t that close to Vanuatu…

So their pitch was South Island! We don’t know how…um, because because … they’re gonna tell us what they want…it’s about them…
and we’ve got some friends from Vanuatu! We gave them shirts. 

So FIFA cash yes?

Does that summarise the article correctly? It’s best for players to be closer to home, like Invercargill and Vanuatu? 

Very cynical take. You can criticise or dislike Christchurch Uniteds money and funding all you like but the fact is that the South Island has been crying out for this pathway and they have done absolutely fantastic development work for a club their size with the facilities, coaching, youth academy system, etc.

Think you are cherry-picking by hyperfocusing on Invercargill and Vanuatu. 

Have CU fostered this relationship with the Vanuatu FA for their own benefit? For sure I'd say, but at least they have gone out & done it. Invited Vanuatu officials for a looksee at their Academy setup, got a couple of budding Brian Kaltaks into their Southern League/Canty Prem teams. It's more than just lip service.

Again I like Domey, but I'm not sure he's been paying much attention to what either CU or Auckland were doing around their bids. 

AFC gave Seru Nabeni (Fiji U23s) a senior debut against the Roar a few weeks back. They visited a few clubs down in Sth Auckland last year. I remember Dan Hall meeting the Fijian community at an event in Papatoetoe or Mangere back then.

Howieson, Rogerson, Hall and the now departed Mata all with a bit of Maori and/or PI heritage. The Fijian national team played a few Northern Region club teams before the All Whites last year. 

All small things, but an Auckland team in this OFC League was always a near certainty. And it seems they were the only bid left standing from the 09. Certainly nothing about any conglomerate Auckland club bid feeling hard done by.

Why didn't the stretched Nix back office aka Auckland get in a consultant expert for their bid document?

Fair enough point by Piney at the end about giving one pro club and not the two entry is a bit odd.
Domey sounded a bit rattled TBH. It sounded like they thought because they had spent millions on player development and had great facilities etc then they were a certainty.
This new comp is pitched as a player development league so maybe the committee looked at the Nix and their eight well funded academy teams and thought we didnt really need help with player development. Where as CU pitched their focus on creating SI player pathways and had the Vanuatu link...but who knows.
Dome didnt mention anything about Nix and Oceania links. 
Also remember they are looking at hubs for playing. Wgtn does not exactly have an international airport compared to Akld and Chch. 
The bottom line is the Nix botched it up!

austin111

Fair enough point by Piney at the end about giving one pro club and not the two entry is a bit odd.
Domey sounded a bit rattled TBH. It sounded like they thought because they had spent millions on player development and had great facilities etc then they were a certainty.
This new comp is pitched as a player development league so maybe the committee looked at the Nix and their eight well funded academy teams and thought we didnt really need help with player development. Where as CU pitched their focus on creating SI player pathways and had the Vanuatu link...but who knows.
Dome didnt mention anything about Nix and Oceania links. 
Also remember they are looking at hubs for playing. Wgtn does not exactly have an international airport compared to Akld and Chch. 
The bottom line is the Nix botched it up!

Wellington airport and Christchurch airports fly to the same amount of international destinations. With both offering flights to Nadi and Brisbane that would be relevant in this instance. 

Good chat from Domey. I'd be pissed if they weren't taking those actions. 

kwlap

Good chat from Domey. I'd be pissed if they weren't taking those actions. 

Exactly, sounds like within the regulations of the licencing process they have the right to ask for clarity behind the decision, but are being knocked back from OFC telling them it's not appropriate to ask? Sounds a lot less like the Nix are threatening to sue, more just due process to find out why they werent accepted

coochiee

Have CU fostered this relationship with the Vanuatu FA for their own benefit? For sure I'd say, but at least they have gone out & done it. Invited Vanuatu officials for a looksee at their Academy setup, got a couple of budding Brian Kaltaks into their Southern League/Canty Prem teams. It's more than just lip service.

Again I like Domey, but I'm not sure he's been paying much attention to what either CU or Auckland were doing around their bids. 

AFC gave Seru Nabeni (Fiji U23s) a senior debut against the Roar a few weeks back. They visited a few clubs down in Sth Auckland last year. I remember Dan Hall meeting the Fijian community at an event in Papatoetoe or Mangere back then.

Howieson, Rogerson, Hall and the now departed Mata all with a bit of Maori and/or PI heritage. The Fijian national team played a few Northern Region club teams before the All Whites last year. 

All small things, but an Auckland team in this OFC League was always a near certainty. And it seems they were the only bid left standing from the 09. Certainly nothing about any conglomerate Auckland club bid feeling hard done by.

Why didn't the stretched Nix back office aka Auckland get in a consultant expert for their bid document?

I think the Vanuatu relationship would certainly be strategic in this licensing process, because the Vanuatu Football Federation president Lambert Maltok that they have forged a partnership with also happens to be the president of OFC - so a smart move by them

martinb

coochiee

Again the ChCh United bid was apparently impressive, and it's clearly been a big ambition of theirs getting into this league. Their main focus even, for the last 12 odd months. For now this OFC League seems the perfect fit for Meyn's dreams. He has openly said he on his own can't afford to setup an A League club.

AFC apparently employed some sort of outside contractor to draft up their bid document, ie they spent some coin on a professional submission.

As with YH it always seemed that the Nix weren't hugely invested in their bid, more afraid and unsure of what it might mean for the future, if their A League rivals up the road got in.

I mean one club has obviously invested very heavily in their ALW squad in the last few months, the other club doesn't even have an ALW staff member (more an APL issue). Even the well resourced and monied Estonians may have struggled to balance everything, if say right now they were furiously busy starting a womens team from scratch.

Yep- that’s right the AFC bid could do flashy transitions on PowerPoint and mentioned how Becker worked extensively with City Football Group. Professional! Nice suits. 

I dunno there seems to be a section of AFC who seem to think doing the Nix down at every opportunity is the way to go. It’s bizarre the only engagement we’ve had from new AFC fans on this forum for instance. 

Look, there's a section of AFC fans who seem to think it's a good idea to try to stalk and harass other AFC fans from coming to the football (T-AFC). It's real boy's high-school stuff (disclaimer: I didn't go to a boy's high school, I'm going off popular report lol)

LT01

martinb

But the South Island isn’t that close to Vanuatu…

So their pitch was South Island! We don’t know how…um, because because … they’re gonna tell us what they want…it’s about them…
and we’ve got some friends from Vanuatu! We gave them shirts. 

So FIFA cash yes?

Does that summarise the article correctly? It’s best for players to be closer to home, like Invercargill and Vanuatu? 

Very cynical take. You can criticise or dislike Christchurch Uniteds money and funding all you like but the fact is that the South Island has been crying out for this pathway and they have done absolutely fantastic development work for a club their size with the facilities, coaching, youth academy system, etc.

Think you are cherry-picking by hyperfocusing on Invercargill and Vanuatu. 

Yeh. Was in that kind of mood. 
But the Nix through their academy and first team have clearly achieved things for South Island players. 
The idea that a submission of ‘choose  us and we’ll figure it out later’ is better than the facilities at NZCIS available to academy and reserve players is equally weak.

The point about the airport is that flights TO Christchurch can easily be approaching $200 from around the South Island. It’s a 6 hour drive Christchurch to Queenstown. Wellington is as close to Nelson (and the top of the South Island) as Christchurch is by car, including the ferry! It’s equally cynical to say a Nelson kid is better off in Christchurch because it’s closer to home. 

Ryan Edwards has said CU will be doing some type of South Island roadshow promotion. Who knows exactly what that entails. 

Doesn't sound like ChCh will be hosting a hub for the OFC League. So yeah you are correct that Nelson kid will still need to get across the Strait to Welly to see a Nelsonian pro footballer like Jayden Smith up close. Or to Auckland to watch Callan Elliott, or Scott Morris (when fit). Amelia Abbott another Nelson product but now left Nixville

However for any Otago, Southland or Westland football mad kids Christchurch will seem alot closer. Especially if CU do pick up a few promising talents from those regions. Maybe they will expand their Academy, and like the Nix start providing some live in accommodation for non Cantab youngsters. That sort of stuff makes the pro pathway yeah seem more local.

Edit - sadly today read that Scott Morris has retired!  Poor guy