from what I understand the council sacked all the grounds staff, WU were told they didnt have the man power to set the fields up each week for the football.
Ah, so we can blame all the "muh rates" bleaters then?
That aside, I'd generally expect the nets going up and ground markings to be the clubs responsibility rather than the council (who I'd expect to mow it, but that would still need to happen for athletics). Maybe it doesn't work like that in Wellington though.
If we were ever to get a Wellington hub for the Pro League, you'd think Newtown Park would be a good option to host (boom, topic).
Sounds like will be open to basically anyone from the Southern League, who wants to trial. Though I'm sure the coaching staff at CU will be well aware of the better players out there in the SL, who could maybe step up a level.
The GM said initial discussions had shown widespread support and excitement within the community, but also revealed questions around issues like player movements from other Southern League clubs to the Pro League team.
“We are committed to first consider Southern League players for the OFC Pro League and will shortly organise trials to see which players are interested and who might be able to step up to professional football,” said Edwards.
He explained that any new recruit will return to their home club once the inaugural Pro League season finishes at the end of May to play the remainder of the Southern League with their home club.
“We can only be successful if we are transparent and collaborative with the other clubs, so before any player is invited to a trial or offered a contract, our new Pro League coach Rob Sherman will work closely with the clubs involved.”
Edwards said once the best South Island players were considered, the coach would look to the North Island, other OFC nations and abroad to strengthen his squad.
I've been told there are players from 14 different clubs across the South Island attending, from Dunedin to Nelson. Level should be pretty high Southern League.
No one from Coastal will be taking part though, with SI Utd guys keeping an eye on them through the National League.
I've been told there are players from 14 different clubs across the South Island attending, from Dunedin to Nelson. Level should be pretty high Southern League.
No one from Coastal will be taking part though, with SI Utd guys keeping an eye on them through the National League.
I've been told there are players from 14 different clubs across the South Island attending, from Dunedin to Nelson. Level should be pretty high Southern League.
No one from Coastal will be taking part though, with SI Utd guys keeping an eye on them through the National League.
CU have already stated the plan is contracts will be single season only with players to then return to their current winter clubs, once the OFC League finishes in May. That's for any non CU Southern League signings they recruit anyway.
Salaries who knows. But you imagine both NZ teams will have big numbers of young players, with a strong development focus, and a perception the league is a stepping stone to the ALM or beyond. I doubt the Auckland Reserve players will be on much.
Wynnum were 8th in the 12 team QLD NPL this season.
The first player to move between the clubs is Wolves forward Lucas Martins (20), who will join Christchurch United for the rest of the men’s National League season.
Wolves play in the National Premier League Queensland, and in February, announced a five-year partnership with German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund to develop youth players.
The statement says the clubs are committed to supporting the development of football in the Pacific.
Wynnum Wolves already have a partnership agreement with Solomon Kings, a club from the Solomon Islands that will be one of the eight founding clubs in the OFC Professional League, due to start in January.
Christchurch United will participate in the OFC Professional League as South Island United, and have a partnership with the Vanuatu Football Federation.
Wolves plan to send their first team to Christchurch in January 2026 for a four-day visit to play two pre-season friendlies against United to launch the partnership.
Wolves’ football director Richard Greer said much work had already gone into building a strong relationship with CUFC following their visit to Brisbane earlier this year.
At the end of the day this new league will have minimal gate revenue with the hub concept. Plus alot of say potential local Canterbury sponsors would be put off there being no home games, to have corporate box functions and the like at.
Some FIFA/OFC dosh, some sponsors (Aus/NZ with a Pacific footprint?) and presumably some TV/streaming media rights deal.
It's going to yes be a young player, development type comp for the two NZ clubs anyway.
As others have mentioned hopefully FIFA/OFC do some anti gambling type player education. With the low salaries you can see the league being a target for spot fixer groups.
New Zealand’s newest professional football team, South Island United, have held their first trial match to help identify potential signings for next year’s inaugural OFC Professional League.
Fourteen players from South Island clubs attended the trial session at the United Sports Centre, Christchurch, on Tuesday October 14, 2025.
“It has always been our ambition to represent every club in the South Island in this new competition, and this trial is the first important step towards creating that vision,” says general manager Ryan Edwards.
Edwards and South Island United’s head coach, Rob Sherman, last week explained the club’s vision in a meeting with all South Island clubs, and contacted the coaches of players who had been identified as potential squad members.
“We can only be successful if we are transparent and collaborative with the other clubs, so before any player is considered or offered a contract, our new Pro League coach Rob Sherman will work closely with the clubs involved,” says Edwards.
Any new recruit will return to their home club once the inaugural OFC Pro League season finishes at the end May, to play the rest of the Dettol Southern League.
Sherman says he has been impressed by the support and enthusiasm by Southern League clubs to make their players available.
Tuesday’s trial included players from Ferrymead Bays, Nomads, Nelson Suburbs and Cashmere Technical.
Some players were unavailable for the trial due to work commitments, while Coastal Spirit players skipped the trial to focus on their National League commitments.
“We spoke to the Coastal Spirit players and coach to let them know we are following them, but we all agreed that there was no need for them to attend the trial as we can follow their progress in the league,” Sherman said. South Island United head coach Rob Sherman talks to players at the trial session. Photo credit: South Island United.
Edwards says Sherman is coming in with fresh eyes from his last role, as the national coach of Fiji, to assess all players, including the current Christchurch United squad.
“Everyone will have to earn their professional contract on merit,” says Edwards.
Once the coaching staff have decided which Southern League players can make the step up to the pro’ ranks, they will start looking at available players in the North Island and overseas.
OFC allows each club to sign three foreign players and three players from the OFC region, and Sherman says the interest has been high.
“The reality, though, is that the OFC Pro League will be the first small step into professional football, so we may not be able to match the expectations of some players,” Sherman says.
“We are only looking for players who want to be part of one of the most exciting chapters in football in this country, and a chance to cut their teeth in professional football, not players looking for a big paycheck.”
Players take a breather at the Tuesday trial match. Photo credit: South Island United.
Apart from the 2 Hubs is in Melbourne and Auckland it would be hard for AFC to release wider first team squad members for the OFC League.
Getting a player back from Honiara, Suva or Port Moresby will be tricky, if they are needed to cover injury concerns around the ALM first team squad. AFC were a bit jammy with not many injuries in the A League last season.
Just like CU signing up some Southern League guys on short 6 month contracts, AFC may do similar getting in a few older players from other Northern League clubs, or even a few from Aussie NPL clubs. The Nix looked closely at Matt Ellis for the ALM. That sort of early 20s guy might be on AFC's radar, re the OFC League.
The Island teams will be likely be de facto national teams, so both CU and AFC will need to sign some older players to flesh out all the callow 19-20 yr olds. They just may not pay them much, selling the league as a shop window for moving up the pro football chain.
That apparently is their plan, within the confines of it being an under 23 team with three over age players.
For me dont think thats fair if they are allowed to have players who can float between the 2 teams. Has to be a big advantage over the other teams.
just the same as the Phoenix have had since they joined the NZ National League....
It's common as muck in many European (non UK) leagues, where bigger clubs often have their Reserve team playing only one of two tiers below the first team.
The common complaint is that one week an opposition club in the same league as the Reserve team may just play a team of academy youngsters. But the next week another club may come up against that same Reserve team stacked with a few first team squaddies in need of playing time.
Like AFC may not send many/any ALM extras to a 2 week Hub in far flung Honiara (no direct flights from Auckland, ie 7-9 hours flying time). But when Auckland hosts it's planned 2 week Hub, it will be much easier for AFC to strengthen their Reserve team with surplus ALM squaddies.
That apparently is their plan, within the confines of it being an under 23 team with three over age players.
For me dont think thats fair if they are allowed to have players who can float between the 2 teams. Has to be a big advantage over the other teams.
just the same as the Phoenix have had since they joined the NZ National League....
It's common as muck in many European (non UK) leagues, where bigger clubs often have their Reserve team playing only one of two tiers below the first team.
The common complaint is that one week an opposition club in the same league as the Reserve team may just play a team of academy youngsters. But the next week another club may come up against that same Reserve team stacked with a few first team squaddies in need of playing time.
Like AFC may not send many/any ALM extras to a 2 week Hub in far flung Honiara (no direct flights from Auckland, ie 7-9 hours flying time). But when Auckland hosts it's planned 2 week Hub, it will be much easier for AFC to strengthen their Reserve team with surplus ALM squaddies.
Yep agree it does happen over there the big difference is it isnt just the one club in a competion that is able to draft in players from a higher league. Yep AFC might not send players to some hubs but i bet if its the last hub and there is a chance they are going to miss a playoff and a chance to have a crack at going to the CWC they will send players. To me just seems very unfair, admit it hasnt helped the Nix much their reserves dont perform better.
Rumours doing the rounds is that CU have capped wages to $550pw and only for the duration of the Ofc season. Tough to live on, especially if you already have a full time job/career. Indicates to me they will only be looking at younger players who haven’t committed to a career or a family.
Will they be allowed to float players between the A League and the OFC Squads.
I've heard from a couple of guys in and around Auckland who both say that it (at that stage maybe a month or so back) that only the scholarship guys would be able to, although I guess that is yet to be confirmed.
But seeing as that was what the Nix were going to do if they got in - ie a lot of players would have been given scholarship deals, then it makes sense.
Guys on a full A-League deals however will definitely not be allowed to move between the OPL and the A-League.
Will they be allowed to float players between the A League and the OFC Squads.
I've heard from a couple of guys in and around Auckland who both say that it (at that stage maybe a month or so back) that only the scholarship guys would be able to, although I guess that is yet to be confirmed.
But seeing as that was what the Nix were going to do if they got in - ie a lot of players would have been given scholarship deals, then it makes sense.
Guys on a full A-League deals however will definitely not be allowed to move between the OPL and the A-League.
Okay thanks for that get the scholarship guys but hope there is some restriction if they play x number of A League games. Also glad those on A League contracts wont be able to.
It is not much less than some of the younger ALW contracted players would get though. Mikey Foster wasn’t stacking shelves at New World because she had a canned food fetish
I guess CU’s argument could well be you will save most of that being in a motel travelling hub circus for 5 months. Food and accommodation provided. Small cash outlays only on betel nuts and $3 SolBrew Lagers
About the same as an old age pension. Get 4 or 5 guys in a flat together and with them being away for most of the time, its achievable. Basketball works that way for the better local players.Doloras
About the same as an old age pension. Get 4 or 5 guys in a flat together and with them being away for most of the time, its achievable. Basketball works that way for the better local players.Doloras
Woweeee when did we start snubbing $550 a week to play glorified amateur football?
Well they would have to give up any other employment for basically 6 months to play.
It's not like you just stay living in your home town, train Tues/Thurs and play Saturday. It will be a 'carnie' lifestyle pitching up in Honiara, Moresby, Suva, Auckland & Melbs for 2 weeks at a time.
If you're a student or chasing the pro football dream, hoping this is a shop window for bigger things you will be fine. Otherwise you may not be keen.
Woweeee when did we start snubbing $550 a week to play glorified amateur football?
Well they would have to give up any other employment for basically 6 months to play.
It's not like you just stay living in your home town, train Tues/Thurs and play Saturday. It will be a 'carnie' lifestyle pitching up in Honiara, Moresby, Suva, Auckland & Melbs for 2 weeks at a time.
If you're a student or chasing the pro football dream, hoping this is a shop window for bigger things you will be fine. Otherwise you may not be keen.
ttbf, if most other expenses are covered (food, board, internet and other utilities, maybe health insurance) it may come close to doubling the wage in total value (to now just above min wage).
Though, given this is not for the whole year they would likely still have costs to maintain in their usual place of residence (so may still have to cover rent, utilities etc.)
Rumours doing the rounds is that CU have capped wages to $550pw and only for the duration of the Ofc season. Tough to live on, especially if you already have a full time job/career. Indicates to me they will only be looking at younger players who haven’t committed to a career or a family.
They pay players more than that to play Southern League.
Rumours doing the rounds is that CU have capped wages to $550pw and only for the duration of the Ofc season. Tough to live on, especially if you already have a full time job/career. Indicates to me they will only be looking at younger players who haven’t committed to a career or a family.
They pay players more than that to play Southern League.
In 1990 I got paid $750 to write an article in MORE magazine that took me 10 minutes.
Woweeee when did we start snubbing $550 a week to play glorified amateur football?
Well they would have to give up any other employment for basically 6 months to play.
It's not like you just stay living in your home town, train Tues/Thurs and play Saturday. It will be a 'carnie' lifestyle pitching up in Honiara, Moresby, Suva, Auckland & Melbs for 2 weeks at a time.
If you're a student or chasing the pro football dream, hoping this is a shop window for bigger things you will be fine. Otherwise you may not be keen.
I think the latter is true regardless of the pay (not withstanding an obscene amount of course), given the make up of the competition. If you've got a career/house/kids the tournament wouldn't be viable regardless.
I guess a Brazilian (depending on where in Brazil they are from) is familiar with a city like Port Moresby with high crime
But it’s already been widely reported that for the new PNG NRL team to recruit some quality Aussie imports when they launch in 2028, they will need to pay them very very well, set them up with tax breaks etc etc
