professional league ?

60 replies · 7,360 views

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

In rugby league they have the Warriors in the NRL, fully professional and then the Auckland Vulcans play in the NSW premier comp. If, as proposed, the A League has a second division, then there is the possibility of a semi-pro outlet or two there, Wellington Res, an Auckland and/ or Canterbury. The NZFC, would exist as an "amateur" league as the Fox Memorial does for League.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

But they also have the Toyota Cup. It'd be stretching the talent too much if they create another league entirely.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I read this thread from the beginning and it's a very interesting read. I've only lived in NZ for 6 years but I've followed NZFC and the Nix from day 1. I must say that I would love for NZFC to become a professional league. We all would like to see more money injected in the game (sponsorships, at gates, tv rights etc) but how do we expect to run a professional league when the average NZFC crowd is about 300 people? Also, the games aren't televised and the grand final, when televised, is watched by about 150 people!

I think we're in a bit of a conandrum here. How do we get these teams to a higher level whilst maintaining the league profitable? By this I mean that teams don't go broke in order to pay players' wages they can't afford. Look at the A-League: it's a much bigger environment, in a bigger nation, with a bigger audience. But it's not in the best financial state, is it? Even though it's progressed lots from V1, look at GCU and the Furries. One year in the business and they almost pulled out.

I wouldn't want to see the same happen to Canterbury, Team Wellington or one of the Auckland teams! For now I'd rather maintain this semi-professional league (cause that's what it is, let's be honest) and I would try to increase the profile of the LOCAL game. Yeah, we all love the Nix and the All Whites, but let's advertise and televise the other teams. Let's encourage people to turn out, en mess to support their own local team. Then we can look at the future.

Just my 2cents worth.

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Personally, I would love to hear what allwhitesbeliever has to say about the issue.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

newzealandpower wrote:

Let's encourage people to turn out, en mess to support their own local team. Then we can look at the future.

It's an odd one. We've run fever promotions that will pick you up in town, give you free beer, and then get you back in to town and it has never really spread the Team Welly vibe beyond the lads that go from time to time anyway.

Would love to run a bus like that and guarantee 60 newcomers to attend, but it's really hard to engage them.

How's my driving? - Whine here

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Hard News wrote:

newzealandpower wrote:

Let's encourage people to turn out, en mess to support their own local team. Then we can look at the future.

Do you not wonder why TW used to get crowds of 1000 to 1500 but now they get 300?

What went wrong?

Have they bothered to ask any of the 1500 regulars from the first few seasons why they dont go? Much easier to get previous fans back than spending money trying to attract new fans.

I have my theory and have posted it on here several times but no-one's interested in going back to what TW did do right previously , they would sooner waste their time comming up with a new solution that so far hasnt worked.

nightz2010-07-21 20:11:16

A dog with a bone :)

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

DKP22 wrote:

Personally, I would love to hear what allwhitesbeliever has to say about the issue.

Another essay? f**k that.

Three for me, and two for them.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

phil_style wrote:

Teams need to be where the populations are. Cities like Napier (popn 60,000) cannot support professional teams, that's for sure.

You can close to double that number because Hawke's Bay has 2 major cities within 15 minute sof each other - Hastings and Napier.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Hastings is not a major city.

Three for me, and two for them.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

Hastings is not a major city.

Hastings is bigger than Napier.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Napier is not a major city.

Three for me, and two for them.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

nightz wrote:

Hard News wrote:

newzealandpower wrote:

Let's encourage people to turn out, en mess to support their own local team. Then we can look at the future.

Do you not wonder why TW used to get crowds of 1000 to 1500 but now they get 300?

What went wrong?

Have they bothered to ask any of the 1500 regulars from the first few seasons why they dont go? Much easier to get previous fans back than spending money trying to attract new fans.

No idea about why the crowds have shrunk (Nix maybe???) but why not play TW games at the stadium as a precursor to Nix games, seems pretty black and white to me.

Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

disco_mart wrote:

No idea about why the crowds have shrunk (Nix maybe???) but why not play TW games at the stadium as a precursor to Nix games, seems pretty black and white to me.

It seems black and white, but i guarantee you it isn't.
Buffon II2010-07-29 09:13:46

Three for me, and two for them.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

disco_mart wrote:

but why not play TW games at the stadium as a precursor to Nix games, seems pretty black and white to me.

Think a little harder about what you are suggesting, maybe while having a drink before a nix's game, and you will see that that is not the solution even if it was allowed to happen by FFA.

A dog with a bone :)

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Sadly I've seen more Nix game's in the flesh in Aus (2) then in Welli (1). I've lived in London since the start of the Nix so am not sure as to the reason.

Is it: ko's are too early
Westpac's pitch isn't that great (ie 180 mins of footie is too much)
or is it other?

Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

"Tony Smith in the Press" wrote:

New Zealand Football is set to invest $450,000 in its national leagues over the next three years after cries from clubs that the domestic game has been under-resourced.

(source)

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

loyalgunner wrote:

Napier Phoenix wrote:

My perfect scenario woul be A League teams in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. All 3 with reserve teams playing in the A league reserve competition. Eligibility remains as now - Kiwis in Kiwi teams are not classed as imports.

NZFC remains amateur.

We remain in OFC.

That would be ideal (first two paragraphs) and I'd think the game would make significant strides if that were the case. Not so sure about the OFC comment, though.

Having cake and eating one too is popular saying that pops in mid at this point.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Seem to be a greater chance of getting an Auckland or ChCh team than West Sydney at the moment.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

PaulSG wrote:

Certainly can't see NZ ever being in a position to have its own professional league. I think the best we can hope for is to see another A-League team from Auckland or Christchurch. However, I do like the idea of expanding the NZFC to 10 teams. I know many are sceptical of whether the playing depth is there or not, but getting other centres involved would help to spread the popularity of the league. Stricter criteria too, is a step forward.
[/quote]

[QUOTE=halu] can top giants like Auckland City, Waitakere Utd become professional clubs first?all players have full-time contractother clubs keep semi-pro or amateur ......

Maybe Auckland City and/or Waitakere Utd to apply to join the A-League? Honestly not sure how/if it would work, I know the A-League has tried the Auckland area before with the Knights and it didn't work out. Wellington's been a success though.

If the A-League did give New Zealand another team, Auckland would be tempting again but you never know what would happen in Christchurch. Of course, being an Aucklander I'd want a team in Auckland so I could go see them regularly when I return home. ;)

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Do we have the sufficient player depth in this country for another a-league team. Because it can't just be full of foreigners. Obviously the likes of Peverley and Clapham would make it, and in the past you could've had Barron. No clue what's going on with Pelter, and players like Mulligan, Draper and Spoonley have been in that environment before, but other than that, you'd be depending on players returning back to New Zealand, the likes of Moss, Old, Boyens, Bright. Or poaching players from the Phoenix.

Permalink

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Why worry about who would play for an Auckland based team. Thats putting the cart before the horse.

If you are serious about having another A-League team based in NZ you need to work out how it will be funded/ who's prepared to put up the money for no return. Thats the biggest problem facing the league at the moment with so many of the clubs bleeding money big time.

A dog with a bone :)

Permalink