Posted August 26, 2025 06:39
· last edited August 26, 2025 06:44
Castar
I'd be inclined to believe that it's the Nix and AFC competing in this as well given Pragnell hinted on the news last night about having two professional clubs and soon four professional teams. Which strongly suggests four pro teams across two clubs. Being from Christchurch, it would be disappointing if true.
Seamus Martin voice over? I think he previously worked at OFC.
Could have this completely wrong, but have a strange hunch that if it is AFC & Nix (reserve teams) that are picked to be NZ's teams, that a Christchurch A League club may not be far off happening.
Pragnell has made it clear he wants a pro football club footprint in the Sth Island. As someone else said NZF have been very quiet/neutral, re this OFC Pro League. That's when other FAs have been making numerous annoucements. I mean it's understandable that NZF are not seen to be supporting one NZ bid(s) over the others, but why no statements pushing NZ to have a minimum 2 club entrants?
If the plan is that a Sth Island A League club is to soon happen, then now having a ChCh United pro club in this OFC League could be problematic. The Island not having enough football fans, resources, sponsors etc to do 2 pro clubs justice.
Maybe NZF just quietly want the 2 OFC clubs to be in Welly & Auckland? Maybe NZF are working behind the scenes with the APL, Mainland Football and some group of well heeled Sth Island business folk (think Weenix) on an A League bid? Maybe after the huge success of NZ outfit AFC, the APL see the Sth Island (popn 1.2M) as the next best safe destination for expansion?
Maybe with the combination of a new awesome downtown ChCh stadium, plus general big football momentum in 2026 from the AWs being at the World Cup, it could happen as soon as season 2026/27? My memory is foggy but I feel the Nix crowd hey days were seasons 09/10 and 10/11, bookending the 2010 WC
Just trying to be optimistic for Canty football folk, if come Friday ChCh United miss out on the OFC League.
Oh and is 3 different groups trying to get a NRL expansion club licence for the South Island. None of the 3 groups are prepared to join forces it seems. Some serious money backers in all 3 groups, including some wealthy New York based Cantab.
Only thing is it doesn't seem the NRL is keen on a 2nd NZ club. Expansion clubs now approved for Perth (18th team in 2027) and PNG (19th in 2028) and the Logan/Ipswich region (outer Brisbane) is the favourite to get the 20th (post 2032 Olympics) and final expansion spot. Could any of those potential Sth Island rugby league money backers switch over to football? Who knows, but there is no NRL team coming to Christchurch for at least 6-7 years if at all.
English born businessman David Moffett is involved with one of the Sth Island rugby league bids, and has had various sporting roles like head of Sport England, New Zealand Rugby, NRL, and the Welsh Rugby Union. He's retired somewhere near ChCh and has the ego and experience to help pull something new together.
I'd be inclined to believe that it's the Nix and AFC competing in this as well given Pragnell hinted on the news last night about having two professional clubs and soon four professional teams. Which strongly suggests four pro teams across two clubs. Being from Christchurch, it would be disappointing if true.
Seamus Martin voice over? I think he previously worked at OFC.
Could have this completely wrong, but have a strange hunch that if it is AFC & Nix (reserve teams) that are picked to be NZ's teams, that a Christchurch A League club may not be far off happening.
Pragnell has made it clear he wants a pro football club footprint in the Sth Island. As someone else said NZF have been very quiet/neutral, re this OFC Pro League. That's when other FAs have been making numerous annoucements. I mean it's understandable that NZF are not seen to be supporting one NZ bid(s) over the others, but why no statements pushing NZ to have a minimum 2 club entrants?
If the plan is that a Sth Island A League club is to soon happen, then now having a ChCh United pro club in this OFC League could be problematic. The Island not having enough football fans, resources, sponsors etc to do 2 pro clubs justice.
Maybe NZF just quietly want the 2 OFC clubs to be in Welly & Auckland? Maybe NZF are working behind the scenes with the APL, Mainland Football and some group of well heeled Sth Island business folk (think Weenix) on an A League bid? Maybe after the huge success of NZ outfit AFC, the APL see the Sth Island (popn 1.2M) as the next best safe destination for expansion?
Maybe with the combination of a new awesome downtown ChCh stadium, plus general big football momentum in 2026 from the AWs being at the World Cup, it could happen as soon as season 2026/27? My memory is foggy but I feel the Nix crowd hey days were seasons 09/10 and 10/11, bookending the 2010 WC
Just trying to be optimistic for Canty football folk, if come Friday ChCh United miss out on the OFC League.
Oh and is 3 different groups trying to get a NRL expansion club licence for the South Island. None of the 3 groups are prepared to join forces it seems. Some serious money backers in all 3 groups, including some wealthy New York based Cantab.
Only thing is it doesn't seem the NRL is keen on a 2nd NZ club. Expansion clubs now approved for Perth (18th team in 2027) and PNG (19th in 2028) and the Logan/Ipswich region (outer Brisbane) is the favourite to get the 20th (post 2032 Olympics) and final expansion spot. Could any of those potential Sth Island rugby league money backers switch over to football? Who knows, but there is no NRL team coming to Christchurch for at least 6-7 years if at all.