observerfromuh wrote:LT01 wrote:yup and it'll be even more exposed if a 3rd mens a-league team comes in. NZ Football isn't ready.
This has been a grim look for the Southern League so far to be honest. Cashmere have been outplayed for much of this game, now deservedly behind.
Has an Auckland A League club after existing 2 years now, hurt the Northern League? Seems to have had no effect at all. A positive if anything. Helps that AFC Reserves lose as much as they win!
I'd imagine a Christchurch A League club would bring a large amount of excitement to the local football scene. Football mad youngsters seeing a real proper local pathway to professional football.
Yes there will be concerns over the NZ football talent pool being big enough to accommodate 3 A League clubs, but I don't think that's reason enough not to launch a 3rd team. Got a great new stadium (best in NZ), in a city that seems on the up, with the 2nd biggest population in NZ. Plus the 2nd best rectangular stadium in NZ, down the road in Dunners for a game or two as well. Just make sure the Scarfies are in town for that. Rookie error Nix from the past!
The OFC Pro League is helping deepen the domestic player base, functioning as a bridge between 3 nights per week amateur winter football training, and full time daily pro football.
Also the Nix (eg Riley Bidois or even OVH) and now even Auckland (eg potentially Liam Gillion, Finn McKenlay) do release players every year who may still become A League footballers. At the moment as a Kiwi castoff from the Nix or AFC it's tough and you have to look at places like the NPL, USL, Canada, Ireland or wherever.
A 3rd NZ team could pick up some of those better prospect guys, just like many young Aussie players move around their 11 ALM clubs looking to crack it.
You also now have annual U17 mens World Cups. So annually now there is a cohort of talented young Kiwi boys getting scouted and exposed to top youth international football, ie the scouting of young NZ talent is more frequent and deepening. It's beginning to more match the strong, deep pathways that many European nations have with their age group setups. A bigger number of talented youngsters coming through exposed to quality coaching, Academy setups, international tourneys etc. Christchurch United has two guys in the current NZU19s.
Sure entry was free, and going to Te Kaha is still an exitement in itself (that will fade), but over 11K to the Chatham Cup final is a great effort. And great to hear that even with a half full ground, the atmosphere was really good, and it was a fun day out. That's important.
Be interesting to see what crowd the AWs draw in November, and the Nix on Waitangi Day.
Could a South Island A Leage club happen as soon as season 2027/28?
Pragnell is hosting the APL big wigs at Te Kaha for AWs v India. But one of the ex APL staffers (a guy who's job was to investigate potential expansion markets) has already said Christchurch just makes sense as an expansion destination.
Whenever it does launch, hopefully it has the financial muscle to have a ALW side also from the get go. Canterbury (and even Otago to a degree) have been strong in women's football for a long time now.
I'd imagine a Christchurch A League club would bring a large amount of excitement to the local football scene. Football mad youngsters seeing a real proper local pathway to professional football.
Yes there will be concerns over the NZ football talent pool being big enough to accommodate 3 A League clubs, but I don't think that's reason enough not to launch a 3rd team. Got a great new stadium (best in NZ), in a city that seems on the up, with the 2nd biggest population in NZ. Plus the 2nd best rectangular stadium in NZ, down the road in Dunners for a game or two as well. Just make sure the Scarfies are in town for that. Rookie error Nix from the past!
The OFC Pro League is helping deepen the domestic player base, functioning as a bridge between 3 nights per week amateur winter football training, and full time daily pro football.
Also the Nix (eg Riley Bidois or even OVH) and now even Auckland (eg potentially Liam Gillion, Finn McKenlay) do release players every year who may still become A League footballers. At the moment as a Kiwi castoff from the Nix or AFC it's tough and you have to look at places like the NPL, USL, Canada, Ireland or wherever.
A 3rd NZ team could pick up some of those better prospect guys, just like many young Aussie players move around their 11 ALM clubs looking to crack it.
You also now have annual U17 mens World Cups. So annually now there is a cohort of talented young Kiwi boys getting scouted and exposed to top youth international football, ie the scouting of young NZ talent is more frequent and deepening. It's beginning to more match the strong, deep pathways that many European nations have with their age group setups. A bigger number of talented youngsters coming through exposed to quality coaching, Academy setups, international tourneys etc. Christchurch United has two guys in the current NZU19s.
Sure entry was free, and going to Te Kaha is still an exitement in itself (that will fade), but over 11K to the Chatham Cup final is a great effort. And great to hear that even with a half full ground, the atmosphere was really good, and it was a fun day out. That's important.
Be interesting to see what crowd the AWs draw in November, and the Nix on Waitangi Day.
Could a South Island A Leage club happen as soon as season 2027/28?
Pragnell is hosting the APL big wigs at Te Kaha for AWs v India. But one of the ex APL staffers (a guy who's job was to investigate potential expansion markets) has already said Christchurch just makes sense as an expansion destination.
Whenever it does launch, hopefully it has the financial muscle to have a ALW side also from the get go. Canterbury (and even Otago to a degree) have been strong in women's football for a long time now.