I hope ChCh United get in, so there is pro football in the South Island.
The All Whites haven't played in the Mainland for eons. The Nix have only just returned for a game there after years away.
But whoever the 2 NZ teams are it just provides another pro football pathway. There are young guys on the NZ domestic scene good enough to get a crack at pro football, but it's not easy when you are at the bottom of the world soooo far away from Europe, can't get the right visa/passport etc etc.
The advent of Auckland FC has certainly opened up another pathway, but the more opportunities the better for local talent. There are other Corban Pipers out there, who can surprise and make the step up.
NZ still has a small player base of less than a 100 guys in pro environments. Any chance to expand that should be taken up.
The All Whites haven't played in the Mainland for eons. The Nix have only just returned for a game there after years away.
But whoever the 2 NZ teams are it just provides another pro football pathway. There are young guys on the NZ domestic scene good enough to get a crack at pro football, but it's not easy when you are at the bottom of the world soooo far away from Europe, can't get the right visa/passport etc etc.
The advent of Auckland FC has certainly opened up another pathway, but the more opportunities the better for local talent. There are other Corban Pipers out there, who can surprise and make the step up.
NZ still has a small player base of less than a 100 guys in pro environments. Any chance to expand that should be taken up.