While there are a few naysayers in this thread, I'm genuinely quite interested in it. I really do think there is a lot of untapped talent in OFC that due to a lack of professionalism is completely missed.
I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.
I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end.
Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.
I also think Central Unit... Er.. ACFC will struggle as most of their fans have jumped ship to AFC.
I'd be happy with a CHC team, Nix ressies, AFC ressies, whatever from Australia and some of the big PI teams like Ba, Hekari United etc being a part of it. It Will improve facilities and players no end.
Yes it will have it's teething problems but I can see it helping football become the No1 sport in Fiji and PNG much as it is slowly becoming in NZ.
The benefit of this league will be most felt by the Pacific, so it makes sense for most of the teams to come from there not Aus/NZ.
Imo from what we know it could look something like this: Auckland City, Christchurch United, Sunshine Coast, Hekari Utd, AS Venus, Suva and federation teams from Solomons and Vanuatu.
But of course there are other options in the years going forward i.e. another Fijian team like Ba, a New Caledonian team, second Aussie team, the floated NZF team, a Hawaiian team, a Pasifika team representing the smaller assocs, a team in Lae, PNG, etc.
Exciting times for sure
Controversial I know - but it doesn't need fans to turn up in big numbers for it to be a success - My bet is that if they are smart and sell the broastcast rights into Asia where the timezones are decent for sports betting it might do ok. Fans turning up will help - but it won't be the be all and end all for the competition - particularly if this comp takes a share of the club world cup money for operating costs.
Reminds me of how lower Div. Victorian State leagues full of no-names used to thrive on the back of UK off-season football pools. Maybe they still do.