Not a sake of pride but for player development and pathway. If locals cant see themselves getting to the senior ranks then how will will grow our game here and have players believe they will make the grade? How many players have gone on from the youth league to the senior team? It was 2 years ago that they won the league and from memory only Cody Brook who is in the team now has made the step up
I feel like the issue is that the link between the Southern United team and the Southern league is that the Irish lads are helping the state of football in the region yet they are not even playing in the premier division.
I appreciate that they are doing work at schools, youth level and coaching etc, but those actually playing the game and those developing to try and get into the Southern team are barely getting any benefit from these guys being here. They clearly have ability and experience, but if they were training / playing with those in the Southern league week in week out then surely the standard of the local players would further increase.
Maybe its a very long term focus with their support and development, but the local league needs help now, especially moving into the South Island league