ACFC U17 tourney

Broonie, Ronaldoknow is correct. Which is why there are at least 8 mainlanders currently at Ole and likewise APFA/WPFA and who knows how many in Auk school first X1s

On Siggy: you're not comparing apples with apples. You're talking about young players pushing for selection to national teams. If you're talking about Siggy moving to Auckland to make the All Whites, you're talking about him being in his mid 20s. Different kettle of fish. 

On selection today: Can you blame the national team coaches for wanting to work with players? Surely that's what we want? More coaching, better preparation? The necessary outcome is that, faced with a choice between two players of roughly equal ability but one of them is local and the other one lives out of town you're going to pick the local kid.

That isn't a conspiracy, it's just a reality. And it's the same reality that faces any kids who aren't in Auckland.

SO MUCH THIS, smithy

I think you have really hit on the key factor Smithy, and its not the first time you have mentioned it.

If you have two kids that are roughly the same and you can work with 1 every other day and 1 every other week, what kid are you likely to select?

Is it fair? No, but that's not to say that there are kids that are being done an injustice by not being picked when they should be.

If the best coach for the team was based outside of Auckland would he or she get the job?

as much as I love the NZF selection politics....

any news on whats happened to the kid who 'struck' the ref?!

I think there are some good coaches around. While I know Brendan McIntyre is not liked in many quarters, he never called me n***** and as such, I think he coaches his team to play a good brand of football from what I seen. I understand McGarry and Halligan are doing good things with youth down South.

There are some good coaches about I guess the other part to that equation is that while there are good coaches about, have they put their hand up for higher roles because of the distance/travel/politics? That may have turned some off.

Regionally based coaching teams. Spend some FDO money where it can really work for the game.

I'm not for an independant Scotland, but maybe the South Island should be, reading some of the posts. I alwasy say that a Kiwi lad that goes over seas should be better than the nationals to merit a spot. What i'm reading above is they have to be much better than local Aucklanders, not similar but much better, to make a National team, and that National team needs to be coached by a South Islander.If what i'm interpetating above is correct. Sad preception

Why is it sad? I guess if you are one of those kids or their parents it's a bit disappointing. But it is reality.

Next you'll be saying that it's unfair that poor Canty lads have to come to Wellington to play for the Phoenix.

If you live in a small place you get less of things than you get if you live in a big place.

Want more football opportunities? Move to Barcelona, London, Paris, or LA or Sydney.

"Move to Barcelona, London, Paris, or LA or Sydney" ...... and see if you're still in the top tier of players!

Reality sets in pretty quick, and most quit because if they can't be top dog they no longer want to play. What CLUBS need to instill into players is a passion for the game, and to play at the best level they are capable off. Unfortunately the moment the "collar goes up" on some of these kids because they get picked for FTC etc, and they think they've got it made the ego takes over from the hard work. Finito.

yes, nice one 10CC

But thats kinda the point 10cc. If they can't hack it when they come up against better players, then how are they going to go when they come into a national set up where they are just a player in the pack again? Thats the kinda of player those sides don't need. What they should say is 'this is my fucking spot, you are not taking it from me' and rise up to meet the challenge.

Granted its not going to work out that way sometimes because the other guy is better but its the attitude. I think on the whole, good players get further with a good attitude. Give them a shit attitude (and I think a younger Chris James) and see what you have.

Sorry but why is it just Football.

Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Cricket even League players from Canterbury get selected, only Football where we seem to be ignored'

Siggy by the way was recognised Nationally in '97 for the 16's whilst living in Christchurch along with Scadden and Knoxy.

Plenty of others too, but not in last couple of campaigns. 3 regionally based coaches / selectors will change that. 

Rugby, Cricket, Netball, League. NZs big 4. The 1st 2 have way more cash and TV time. League have a lower player base so its not as difficult to standout if you have talent. Netball also has a better structure because it is very much school based until they leave school thus players that go to nationals are all in one place and are easier to identify. Can you say all the best players are at the football nationals with their school? Problem with having a club and school thing.

I agree that there would be merit to 3 regionally based selectors depending on implementation.

Forget all the conflict between regions.In Ernie we trust.players from every region of nz have a chance.He has introduced more local players in 1 year to A league standard.keep up the good work.

Any chance someone actually enjoyed the tournament? Looked like a great event to showcase talent and engage youth football which may otherwise be lost to the game in the gap between 15-19

Spoke to a parent of a player today and he thoroughly enjoyed the tournament. Well organised, plenty of good football, and a massive penalty shootout. Well done to all those who organised. 

The current dramarama about national selectors and all that is fantastic reading btw.

Everyone who I've spoken to thought it was another outstanding event. Shame (from my perspective) that there aren't more Wellington teams there.

Smithy

Agree with you about more teams from Wellington in tournament.

Miramar were pretty solid team from what I saw in their pool game against Ellerslie. The Miramar keeper in the game had a blinder. There were four or five saves that were stunning.

The tournament was well run and had good extra features.. For example, there was physio tent open from before play began to the end of the day and it was well used. Organisers had taken on the feed back from last year and improved the tournament.

I expect the tournament will only get more popular and the issue will be trying to get more teams in the tournament. Western Springs club is booked as the venuefor the next two years. Their two artifical turfs and two grass fields were great. However the tournament also used two fields at the local college (100m walk away). To say there were average would be an understatement. Apparently the college is being rebuilt so there is reluctance to invest money getting their fields up to scratch when they could built on in the near future.

They may have to consider playing more games under lights. However that will make long days for players and obviously a player welfare issue

The other point Prickly raised about refs/assistant referees during pool games is fair. I assume AFF had problems finding enough referees  for Friday games, let only ARs. However the final round of pool games on the Saturday could have used official ARs especially with tournament lives on the line.

Big ups to Paul Robinson and his team. Now looking forward to the Sky TV highlights show in a couple of weeks.

I must admit I was surprised at the amount of teams from the South Island. Good to see it supported.

4 fields is ok if you keep the numbers down. 6 would probably be ok to handle the extra teams. Napier I believe has gone to 8?

I suspect you are going to find it hard to get refs when its preseason and they are volunteers. Also, nothing says 'come referee here' like getting a dropped shoulder and an elbow when getting sent off.

Interested to see the coverage on Sky

No argument. Tremendous event, well run. Grounds big improvement on last year. (School grounds aside.) Generally well behaved players. Officials, needs a look at for pool play. Our side got through top of their pool so not grumbling other than with such tight games 3 point control would help everyone. 

Already getting as prestigious as Napier. Six teams from Sth Island in boys competition. Only Napier and Mirimar from Central, certainly like to see more.  

Selection issue, is a side issue. Just keen to see selectors actively involved. Where else can they(the players) be seen in a truly competitive environment. Allan Jones, Doug Moore never missed a South Island Youth Tournament let alone the old New Plymouth Inter region.

Biggest plus is the pro-active work of Paul and his crew. Picking up the slack of our organising / controlling Federation and National bodies.

Auckland City taking a few pointers from the spectacular tournament scene in the US. I've been to a couple of the really big tournaments in the US, and a handful of smaller ones, and there is so much more we could learn. Auckland City heading in the right direction though. Kudos.

I see the Yr 10 Keeper from Dun Tech girls has been selected for national talent centre.. 

She was seen :-)

Three Sky broadcasts of ACFC Under-17's tournament announced -

Tuesday 8th April 5.30pm on SS3. Thursday 10th April 9.00 am SS1. Sunday 13th April 4.15am SS3.

see latest on www.aucklandcityfc.com

Coverage tonight should be a good watch.

Of all the Wellington Clubs that could have potentially done well in a National Tournament I would have thought that Western Suburbs would likely have one of the strongest U17 Teams in New Zealand. Certainly Wests have consistently performed well nationally at a Junior level over past years. Karori are also usually fairly handy at U17 level as well. It's a pity Wellington Clubs were not more widely represented at the tournament.

Sounds like Dates for 2015 are being released soon and rumours of international teams coming down, should be very interesting to watch if true.

Does anyone know offhand what the age limits and cut off dates etc are for this tournament? Is age considered as of January 1st or some other date?