Central League

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It's not like there aren't opportunities to study while playing either. Plenty of universities around the world offers full degrees via distance and you can study part time while playing pro.

Not getting a degree until you're a bit older doesn't necessarily hamper you either. Sometimes it means you go back more focused and with a clearer idea of what you want to do with your life. I dropped  out of uni when I first went and spent years working retail and generally fudgeing around and I don't regret at all because when I went back and finished it I was much more committed. Graduating later didn't seem to hamper my career at all relative to people I know who went straight through uni from high school but are at the same sort of job level as me now.

Of course the one massive advantage of the US college option is the big scholarships. Totally free tertiary education is hard to argue with! 

I guess it's all about priorities but I wouldn't say a decision either way was a no brainer

I actually think this is probably back to front today Horse. Once upon a time true, but no longer. Gone are the days when you can gradate from College to the MLS, and then from MLS to somewhere better (if you're really special).

I think a professional contract today will either materialise by the time you're 20 or it will not. So it makes sense (if you really think you can make it) to push as hard as you can. University isn't going anywhere after all. The trick is to give up quickly if you haven't made it by your early 20s, to avoid being in the situation you described.

College is, today, almost never a track that will take you to a professional football career, so it is effectively giving up early.

It is, however, a magnificent track for almost everyone who will not be a professional but can still play at a good level in front of good crowds (sometimes) and get a good (if you're careful) education at the same time.

The thing that people often overlook about College in the USA though is that the majority of Colleges offer an education that is not anywhere near the standard that we expect here in New Zealand. We are blessed here that Universities are of a near-universal quality. This is very far from the truth in the United States.

But I have taken us way off topic.

cheers lads, good posts. I stand corrected

Old age has mellowed you.

Doubt he would have been picked up if he didn't have a US passport though.

Carrying on with the off topic discussion, if the Nix's pro youngsters can't get winter football in NZ should the Nix start looking at loan deals to Aus like we did with Kosta, IIRC.

Think Colvey is the exception rather than the rule and as Dale mentioned, US passport might have made a difference there. Who was the last player to go to US college and get an MLS contract?

Why would a state NPL club take an unproven 17-18 year old from NZ when they have dozens of unproven 17-18 year old Aussies floating around their own club? Having watched a NSW NPL match yesterday, neither Rogerson nor McGarry offer anything more than what is already available in the U20s, let alone 1st teams.

Unless Nix were paying stoopid $, not enough upside for the NPL club

Can anyone help me separate 2 topics mixed into one, mine seemed to have got mixed up, Central League with what appears to be Player development.

I think it is very harsh for you to say that if you haven't made it by 20 then you will never make it as a professional. I think there are many examples of players over 20 that have made it. I would hate a young Yellow Fever follower and footballer gave up on their dream of becoming a Pro Football player because of the comments you have made.

You should know better mate!! 

You seriously think that people will give up because of what someone says on here? ?

Some interesting match ups in the Chatham Cup Round 2.

Island Bay vs Stop Out, but the big CL clash has to be Wellington Olympic at home to Miramar Rangers. I then think that Olympic are at home again the week after to Miramar in the Central League. 

So will Olympic I would suggest. Think they get back Mario Barcia and Scott Basalaj. 

Who are the players going to Miramar? Cole Peverley is already there. Of the rest of the Team Wellington squad, Basalaj & Barcia are going to Olympic, Gulley & Corrales Stop Out, Neil, Halpin & Robertson to Napier, Villa to Waterside-Karori not many going to Miramar

Bevin and Jackson.

turning into a bit (more) of a rort

Wonder what stance the NZPFA and NZ ERA have on employee contracts being "torn up"?

Do Nix intend to merely 'suspend' the contract for a few months?

What have Rufer and Ridenton been doing these last few winter club seasons?

I realise I'm probably opening a can of worms here...but why would people be against these young guys playing over winter? Surely good for their development and NZF? 

so it's people digging their heels in and protecting their own interests to the detriment of football as a whole in NZ. Sounds familiar. 

Is there anything stopping the Phoenix from loaning players to Wellington United (or any other club in an amateur competition). Don't they just have to do the 28 day standdown period?