Posted October 15, 2025 01:26
· last edited October 15, 2025 01:29
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.
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Unknown editoredited October 15, 2025 01:29
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.
It's going to yes be a young player, development type comp for the two NZ clubs anyway.
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.
