Kiwis in OFC Pro League

To date -

David Yoo - South Island United
Owen Smith - Vanuatu United 
Otto Ingham - Vanuatu United 

All 3 have either played football in Europe or the USA College scene, before.

I'm still unsure how this league will survive. But either way, it's exposing more kiwi's to pro football, which is great!

The leap from NZ domestic football to the ALM is quite large.
This comp will help bridge that gap, and broaden the talent base.

Some new Randalls, Pipers or Gillions will be unearthed.

Better exposure to French scouts? Especially after Ben Old’s signing.

Elemenop

I'm still unsure how this league will survive. But either way, it's exposing more kiwi's to pro football, which is great!

 

 

Lawton Green could be a possibility, with professional experience in Scotland and the Malaysia Super League, might snag a spot in the OFC Pro League.

Hutcho137

Lawton Green could be a possibility, with professional experience in Scotland and the Malaysia Super League, might snag a spot in the OFC Pro League.

Lawton Green is on a week to week deal at Queen of the South in League One over in Scotland. 

He's mostly been on the bench as #2, but he has a couple of cup games under his belt. 

Week to week contract because the club is skint.

YoungHeartHM

Hutcho137

Lawton Green could be a possibility, with professional experience in Scotland and the Malaysia Super League, might snag a spot in the OFC Pro League.

Lawton Green is on a week to week deal at Queen of the South in League One over in Scotland. 

He's mostly been on the bench as #2, but he has a couple of cup games under his belt. 

Week to week contract because the club is skint.

Week to week is crazy

Hutcho137

YoungHeartHM

Hutcho137

Lawton Green could be a possibility, with professional experience in Scotland and the Malaysia Super League, might snag a spot in the OFC Pro League.

Lawton Green is on a week to week deal at Queen of the South in League One over in Scotland. 

He's mostly been on the bench as #2, but he has a couple of cup games under his belt. 

Week to week contract because the club is skint.

Week to week is crazy

Makes it easier to cut him loose if the financial situation doesn't improve. Such is lower league life...

I've been told that he is in line to get a full contract in the new year though.

So did none of the 14 local players they trialed end of October pass muster?

Jessie Merino

So did none of the 14 local players they trialed end of October pass muster?

Of the 3-4 others that I've heard have signed, none of them were triallists.

Wonder how the wages on offer at South Island United compare to those at Auckland II.

SIU might be offering more, and so build a stronger squad. Noting Auckland II will for sure also have a stronger development focus.

It will be very interesting to see how Auckland FC, juggle it with their scholarship players in the top squad and randoms like Howieson and Sail, floating between the two squads.

Be a good example to follow for the Nix (or learn from their mistakes) once they get in.

True. I doubt there will be much floating between squads with the 3 pods in the Islands. Just too far away from the 09

But could definitely happen with the first pod that’s in Auckland and maybe the pod in Melbourne 

dp 

Partridge saying he struggled the first few years boarding at Scots College, a long way from home.

Now Cantab kids have a pro team on their back door step.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/11/24/ofc-pro-leagues-south-island-united-sign-age-group-international-defender/

As someone else leaked defender Josh Rogerson and midfielder Ollie van Rijssel sign for SIU.

Actually being a teacher or trainee teacher the perfect occupation to fit around being a part time (5 months) pro footballer.

Bit like back years ago being a first class cricketer in NZ, was very part time and many of the players were relief/substitute teachers.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/11/28/more-signings-as-ofc-pro-leagues-south-island-united-reveal-club-logo/

Updated list.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson and Ollie van Rijssel.
Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Main photo: South Island United signings, and trainee teachers, Josh Rogerson (left) and Ollie van Rijssel, unveil the new South Island United logo to young footballers at West Rolleston School in Rolleston.

Nelsonian Riley Grover signs for South Island United.  

Nelson through & through 💙

Welcome to South Island United, Riley Grover! 🤍⛰ pic.twitter.com/wzOQ9ySPzs

— South Island United (@SouthIslandUtd) November 30, 2025

First Samoan named to play in the OFC League?
I think he played against the AWs last year.

Mariner is a nephew of Tim Cahill.

Repping Nelson on the big stage! 🌏🔥

Welcome to South Island United, Dauntae Mariner! 🤍 pic.twitter.com/DK4eJlVPEx

— South Island United (@SouthIslandUtd) November 29, 2025

Update
South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel and Riley Grover.
Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham 

Think Mariner is an Aussie Samoan (ie not a Kiwi)

Update
South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover and Oli Fay
Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham 

YoungHeartHM

Jessie Merino

So did none of the 14 local players they trialed end of October pass muster?

Of the 3-4 others that I've heard have signed, none of them were triallists.

Apparently wages in the Pro League are minimal and not all players could take time off work to commit to the lesgue.
Garbhan Coughlan told my mate that he would have loved to take part, but with three very young kids, it wasn't practical to spend so much time away from home, since it's not a traditional home-and-away league but played in hubs around Australasia and the Pacific.  
This has resulted in South Island United  mostly signing younger players without family commitments.

Update
South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay and Jaylen Rodwell
Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham 

Update

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel and Oskar van Hattum

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham 

SIU with a little cluster of ex Weenix alumni

Adam Supyk is off to Bula FC. 
Good pickup for them.

Would have thought one of Auckland or SIU (aren't the Supyk's out of Christchurch?) would have been in for him. He's had a very solid domestic season for Olympic in 25'.

Yipe the Supyks are English born Cantabs.

Adam S was at the U20 WC in 2023. There is a good number of early-mid 20s ex age group internationals getting a pro opportunity in this new league. Nice to see.

Being at the bottom of the world and only having one pro club until about 18 months ago, at least one of these lads will find this OFC League is a welcome new pathway to a higher level somewhere.

Update

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale and Ry McLeod

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk (not yet confirmed)

coochiee

Update. Heap of ex NZ age group internationals now signed up. Good to see.

Emilano Tade also signed with AFC II but he ain't a Kiwi, though he's likely a citizen now.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale and Ry McLeod

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk (not yet confirmed)

Wanted to have a look at Donkers' stats online, but instead had a little chuckle at Google's expense

image.png 284.5 KB

Update
26 yr old GK Shea Stapleton for SIU

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz and Shea Stapleton

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk (not yet confirmed)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

3rd keeper for SIU 21 yr old Callum Kennett from Nth Wellington

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton and Callum Kennett

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk (not yet confirmed)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

Matt Foord is leaving the WeeNix setup to join Bula FC.

Good enough for me. Shame no space for Cantab Foord at SIU.

To me a little odd SIU's likely 2nd & 3rd keepers Stapleton & Kennett have come from the Central League. No half decent GKs in the Southern League?


South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton and Callum Kennett

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord (neither official yet)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

coochiee

Good enough for me. Shame no space for Cantab Foord at SIU.

To me a little odd SIU's likely 2nd & 3rd keepers Stapleton & Kennett have come from the Central League. No half decent GKs in the Southern League?


South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton and Callum Kennett

Auckland II - Kian Donkers and Zac Zoricich

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord (neither official yet)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

 With AFC - AV mentioned on Twitter that Bailey Ferguson has a New Zealand father, so he should be eligible as well.

Using the rumour mill.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton and Callum Kennett
Rumoured - someone with the initials SC. And perhaps a HZ as well.

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich and Bailey Ferguson
Rumoured - Isa Prins, Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord (neither official yet)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

Haris Zeb to SIU.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich and Bailey Ferguson
Rumoured - Isa Prins, Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord (neither official yet)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

Four more named for AFC II.

Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, and Oscar Mason.
Ellis trialled at the Nix x2.

South Island United - David Yoo, Lewis Partridge, Josh Rogerson, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Oli Fay, Jaylen Rodwell, Jackson Manuel, Oskar van Hattum, Charlie Beale, Ry McLeod, Ryan Feutz, Shea Stapleton, Callum Kennett and Haris Zeb

Auckland II - Kian Donkers, Zac Zoricich, Bailey Ferguson, Isa Prins, Michael den Heijer, Matt Ellis, and Oscar Mason
Rumoured - Everton O'Leary, Codey Phoenix and Ralph Rutherford

Vanuatu United - Owen Smith and Otto Ingham

Bula FC - Adam Supyk and Matt Foord (neither official yet)

Tahiti FC - Callum Roberson (off their Wiki page)

What's the estimate on what these guys will be getting paid? $50k?

Don't think Normann is a Kiwi. Norwegian.

Jessie Merino

Don't think Normann is a Kiwi. Norwegian.

Cheers & noted