OFC Professional League

SamCoughlan

The Premier Hockey League team representing the South Island is called the Alpiners, it's not a bad name.

Ahh so it is. 

You learn something new everyday! (I don't follow hockey whatsoever).

Hoping the branding/kit is Pounamu Green, with maybe white a second colour as a nod to the Alps. Can't think of much else that unites the South Island, its a big place with large distances between settlements.

Blue & Gold are the Highlanders (Otago/Southland), and Red & Black the Crusaders (Canterbury/West Coast/Tasman region).

I'd just go with some sort of mix of those. Might look a bit busy, and I'm no fashionista but those are the traditional sporting colours of the major teams in the Isla Sur.

South Island FC is pretty meh, so the nickname will be key. But until they actually host home games, will be hard to grow much of a fan base at Yaldhurst, let alone for the whole of the SI.

Wonder if the OFC League finals games will be hosted by teams in the top spots, or again just as a centralised hub? By finals (May 2026) the new Te Kaha stadium will be completed.

Blue/Gold & Black are already taken by the 2 existing professional sides in NZ, and Red is too tied to the Cantabs if they're serious about building support around the whole island. I think picking Otago/Chch colours only would also be offputting to anyone outside those regions.

Best to do their own, new thing rather than bastardising if they're going to have any chance of creating a lasting identity.

Team colours and names play a part.

But it's more important to get out amongst the local clubs, showing up with some players, merch etc - plus demonstrating yes there is a viable pathway from Nelson, Dunners, Nightcaps or wherever to a pro football club in the South Island.

Auckland FC have shown exactly that. They play in blue and black, but football fans are trekking up from the Waikato, BOP and other parts embracing them as their team. Helps to have Tauranga boy Bidois, or Waikato product Rogerson in the senior squad. Other youngsters from the Upper north regions in the Reserve team. All those MOUS signed with Northern Region clubs. The pathway is there to see. Plenty of touring the provinces by Auckland FC staff & players pressing the flesh last year especially.

Ryan Edwards & Slava Meyn will be hoping to mimic their own little version of that success. Pragnell & the APL with fingers crossed it will springboard into a A League bid one day

coochiee

Team colours and names play a part.

But it's more important to get out amongst the local clubs, showing up with some players, merch etc - plus demonstrating yes there is a viable pathway from Nelson, Dunners, Nightcaps or wherever to a pro football club in the South Island.

Auckland FC have shown exactly that. They play in blue and black, but football fans are trekking up from the Waikato, BOP and other parts embracing them as their team. Helps to have Tauranga boy Bidois, or Waikato product Rogerson in the senior squad. Other youngsters from the Upper north regions in the Reserve team. All those MOUS signed with Northern Region clubs. The pathway is there to see. Plenty of touring the provinces by Auckland FC staff & players pressing the flesh last year especially.

Ryan Edwards & Slava Meyn will be hoping to mimic their own little version of that success. Pragnell & the APL with fingers crossed it will springboard into a A League bid one day

Lokomotiv Sockburn. Red shirt, trou, socks the kit. Putin a silent benefactor, slightly more wealthy than Bill Foley.

Souths for short, that will work.

Nelfoos

Hoping the branding/kit is Ponamu Green, with maybe white a second colour as a nod to the Alps. Can't think of much else that unites the South Island, its a big place with large distances between settlements.

Would be ideal, but they could (and hopefully not) follow the once in a blue moon South Island rugby team and go with a predominantly white strip.

SamCoughlan

Chch Utd have said they wanted to register for the competition under a different banner, one that would encompass the entire South Island, but were unable to due to time restrictions, it was easier to be pre-existing entity Christchurch United.

Whether local fans will get behind the team - I personally don't know. Some fans are very parochial and will not want to support Christchurch United. But I think many will at the very least keep an eye on the team with intrigue. It will be good for the local scene if players can come out of the Southern League and be successful at this level.

In my opinion, if the team was registered as Canterbury United/Dragons, or with a wider South Island name, and players/coaches/admin drawn from across the South Island, it would be getting a lot more support.

I hope they do all get in to support the team. It would be great for South Island football.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360847200/christchurch-united-rebrand-south-island-united-new-ofc-pro-league

Edwards 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.

Good luck to them. Great news for football across the SI.
The name is a bit bland. But as people have pointed out they need a nick name.
Quakers is fun but too Christchurch.
South Island Kea's might work.
Considering that sheep have been the driving economy of the SI economy for ever then South Island Rams could work.
If they were smart they could get the fans to nominate and chose a name.

Kea's is in use for one of the Rugby League clubs, Christchurch United have been known as the Rams, so may not work if they wish to move away from the current Christchurch United branding.

The South Island is known for Mountain's and River's so that may be an option.

austin111

Good luck to them. Great news for football across the SI.
The name is a bit bland. But as people have pointed out they need a nick name.
Quakers is fun but too Christchurch.
South Island Kea's might work.
Considering that sheep have been the driving economy of the SI economy for ever then South Island Rams could work.
If they were smart they could get the fans to nominate and chose a name.

Napier Phoenix

Souths for short, that will work.

Are they going to be playing League too?

"The Mounts"?? As in the entire mountain range down there. 

Too confusing for Aucklanders with their second home at the mount.

I think they should have just gone with Southern in the name. 
Obviously Southern United is taken.
Southern Glaciers?
Southern Sickles for the Russian factor ha

Southern Comfort, Mt Cook.

austin111

Good luck to them. Great news for football across the SI.
The name is a bit bland. But as people have pointed out they need a nick name.
Quakers is fun but too Christchurch.
South Island Kea's might work.
Considering that sheep have been the driving economy of the SI economy for ever then South Island Rams could work.
If they were smart they could get the fans to nominate and chose a name.

South Island Kea is the name for the proposed 2nd NRL Team, headed by ex NZRU Boss David Moffatt

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Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Speaking of which I reckon Wellington Utd, whose first team men currently play pub grade, should be stripped of that honorable moniker, be booted out of Newtown Park and be told to revert to any one of Diamonds, Hungaria or Zealandia - seeing as how they've more or less gone back to where they came from.

Jessie Merino

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Speaking of which I reckon Wellington Utd, whose first team men currently play pub grade, should be stripped of that honorable moniker, be booted out of Newtown Park and be told to revert to any one of Diamonds, Hungaria or Zealandia - seeing as how they've more or less gone back to where they came from.

Any one of those names would have more character than 'United'

Dave Webster will know for sure, but I assume the 'Diamond' was dropped from Wellington Diamond United (a great name IMO) when the last of the 'amagamatees' came on board?

The last amalgamation was between Wellington Diamond United and Wellington City, 40 years ago at the end of 1985. The new name was originally Wellington City Diamond United, before reverting to Wellington United and having the nickname Diamonds

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Wasn't that a merger between 2 clubs, hence the 'United'? 

That's usually how clubs end up with United in their name isn't it?

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

allowed? it's been their home since 1986. Besides, who would want to move in and where would WU then go?
Plenty of clubs have their 1st teams in divs lower than they want, the fact tha WU mens are in Cap2 is not entirely of their own making. They'll be Cap1 next season, and with some luck probably higher within 2 seasons.

theprof

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

allowed? it's been their home since 1986. Besides, who would want to move in and where would WU then go?
Plenty of clubs have their 1st teams in divs lower than they want, the fact tha WU mens are in Cap2 is not entirely of their own making. They'll be Cap1 next season, and with some luck probably higher within 2 seasons.

plus, correct me if im wrong, theyve been on the end of a bad amalagation with a certain local franchise that sucked the life out of them

great club. i used to watch them as a kid. i'm always hoping they'll re-sign dunford and make a come back to the national league

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Ha. I live in Auckland. And no, I don't follow women's football sorry. But I used to follow WDU 

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Sounds like Athletics are getting first choice

The Kapiti Island Diaspora. 

Kind of the opposite concept of a generic United.

Next Wellington entrant. Will do lots of trade with the South Island 🤫.

Half a Pint

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Wasn't that a merger between 2 clubs, hence the 'United'? 

That's usually how clubs end up with United in their name isn't it?

Yep. Three Kings and Onehunga Sports merged.

Buffon II

Half a Pint

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Wasn't that a merger between 2 clubs, hence the 'United'? 

That's usually how clubs end up with United in their name isn't it?

Yep. Three Kings and Onehunga Sports merged.

this is a common misconception - what actually happened is OS talent academy which was privately owned went to Three Kings Utd (already a merger between two clubs) and then the entire club rebranded as Auckland Utd.  OS still exist as a club, have a women's team in the 2nd tier and a bunch of social teams.

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Why is this? Game vs Southern seemed to be fine

chopah

Buffon II

Half a Pint

chopah

Feverish

They only have an MOU with about one club don’t they? How they can label themselves SIU at this stage is beyond me 

 I mean a club in Auckland called themselves Auckland Utd with no MOU with anyone.

Wasn't that a merger between 2 clubs, hence the 'United'? 

That's usually how clubs end up with United in their name isn't it?

Yep. Three Kings and Onehunga Sports merged.

this is a common misconception - what actually happened is OS talent academy which was privately owned went to Three Kings Utd (already a merger between two clubs) and then the entire club rebranded as Auckland Utd.  OS still exist as a club, have a women's team in the 2nd tier and a bunch of social teams.

In 2019, Onehunga Sports were second in NRFL Premiershup, Three Kings United were fourth in NRFL Division One.
In 2020 Auckland United was in the NRFL Premiership, and there was a playoff pre-season to fill the gap.

On the womens side, in 2019 both Onehunga Sports and Three Kings United were in the premiership.  In 2020, only Auckland United was in the premiership, and a relegated team stayed up to fill the gap.

It could be argued Three Kings/Auckland Utd brought their way into the NRFL Mens Premiership

 

LT01

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Why is this? Game vs Southern seemed to be fine

who knows, council are fudgetards! WU women were only allowed one home game at Newtown Park, the others have to be played at Petone Rec.

theprof

LT01

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Why is this? Game vs Southern seemed to be fine

who knows, council are fudgetards! WU women were only allowed one home game at Newtown Park, the others have to be played at Petone Rec.

The council staff prioritising track and field at Wellington's premier track and field venue is hardly worth this level of vitriol.

Nelfoos

theprof

LT01

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Why is this? Game vs Southern seemed to be fine

who knows, council are fudgetards! WU women were only allowed one home game at Newtown Park, the others have to be played at Petone Rec.

The council staff prioritising track and field at Wellington's premier track and field venue is hardly worth this level of vitriol.

Perhaps, I understand the prioritisation of track and field during the "summer" season, especially as Newtown Park is a shared venue. It's the lack of comms with the club that causes the frustration, and the lack of help when venues are trying to be booked.

theprof

Nelfoos

theprof

LT01

The JourneyFan

Jessie Merino

Whatever. The fact Wngtn Utd are still allowed the capital's 2nd stadium as their home ground to me seems bizarre. Crawford Green or Melrose Pk is more their level now.

So you reckon the club that has won 7 Central League titles in the last 10 years shouldn't be allowed to use Newtown Park? 
It's not just about the men's game.......

Sounds like you work for the council as they have stopped Diamonds from using Newtown Park in the National League this season.

Why is this? Game vs Southern seemed to be fine

who knows, council are fudgetards! WU women were only allowed one home game at Newtown Park, the others have to be played at Petone Rec.

The council staff prioritising track and field at Wellington's premier track and field venue is hardly worth this level of vitriol.

Perhaps, I understand the prioritisation of track and field during the "summer" season, especially as Newtown Park is a shared venue. It's the lack of comms with the club that causes the frustration, and the lack of help when venues are trying to be booked.

Sounds like the council need more staff to keep up! Might be expensive...

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.

theprof

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.

Tory Whanau to blame. Not a sportsperson - well, outdoor sports. Wngt  Council certainly seem to have manpower to burn building facilities for cyclists. Obviously not supporters of football though, even when played by women.