AllWhites82 - just emailed you some info on the SAS situation.
That's not how this forum works thanks very much. All gossip, rumour and near-truths are posted on here first and then the true story comes out later.
That's fair, but my email is very long.
The gist is my club raised the issue on how come SAS go straight into Div 1 and not start at the bottom, as the policy for the last 20 years. My club were rebuffed twice in the last 5 years for trying the same thing. We were quoted "The integrity of the competitions needs to be kept" and the like. As well any gaps in higher Divisions are filled by teams from lower Divisions on request by Mainland and offered in the order that teams finished in the previous season. Emailed Mainland about this (supported by 10 other clubs at least). Mainlands response - trying to be flexible, transparent, CCL opened up places for other 1st teams than MPL, no one asked to go into Div 1 (my answer - difficult when no idea of what is happening).
I was only taking the piss, but thanks for sharing.
Strange set of circumstances that isn't it? Especially if the other clubs hadn't been asked if they wanted to go in there. I remember the uproar when Burwood wanted to go into the division but has managed to work it's way up. Even beating Chch Utd!
Burwood didn't work up the divisions they had one year imc in the lower grades and then went to CCL.
It was not just Mainland putting SAS in Div1 and bugger the rest, SAS had stated they would go in CCL if not allowed higher up than Div7.
Mid Canterbury or other clubs with no MPL or CCL teams had not requested to be in CCL, so no byes wanted in CCL.
Mainland for once got the call correct imo. Helps justify the council spend on new sand based senior pitch etc at St Albans Park.
No I don't play for SAS.
Read the records please:
2013 - Burwood in the new Under 21 grade but the low number of teams made this competition untenable. Just after half way through the year they were placed in Division 4 for the remaining part of the year only. Won it (but not allowed to go up).
2014 - two Senior teams in Division 6. The A team wins thrashing all (except the Burwood B team). Same year beat Waimak United (Div 1) in the Chatham Cup.
2015 - 3 Senior teams, PDL, Division 5, Division 6. The A team again easily winning Div 5 (not helpful for any teams).
2016 - CCL now available, finished 4th of 6 teams.
And so on.
Many clubs have complained about the SAS decision - Mainland have not followed precedents. Seems to me that one person at Mainland is making these decisions (any mates of his at SAS)?.
Stand corrected, can't read the records anymore as Mainland/NZF have trashed them otherwise I would've had a look before posting hence the imc [If memory correct] as for U21 yes Burwood not the only club dumped in it that season.
No mates at Mainland unless Mainland staff all go out for cakes at Kids Cakes. The new pitch makes the asking or what ever easier to justify.
Are Burwood having problems keeping the youth players as what is a lad that is/was at Shirley Boys High and Burwood moving to Nomads for? Not the closest club unless he's moved to Casebrook.
Is this because of no real ambition form Burwood to take the next step and get to the top end of CCL?
You could've looked at Nomads for players to help with experience of MPL/Nat League level to help the younger lads bridge the gap to the top of CCL and beyond.
Seems to me that SAS could have that ambition as have gone and grabbed two or three of last years Nomads MPL players who wanted a new challenge/position and still have a competitive kick around on a Saturday.
As I have been told the bulk of the SAS team were at FC Twenty11 - maybe Div 3 last season and moved across to SAS, at one stage was talk of SAS taken FC spot in Div 3 but this did not happen, no doublt FC would not have been to happy if this was the case.
Was also told one of the main reasons for moving to a new club was the players wanted to contest / taste the Chatham Cup and that was not going to happen unless they went to a 'new' club rather then an existing club that usually enters the Chatty Cup.
SAS last entered the Cup in 1995, In Round 1 drew with North Beach Parklands 1 - 1 advancing 7 - 6 on pens before exiting the cup in the next round going down to Shamrock 5 - 0.
What are the requirements around clubs in the CCL?
Do they need a reserve team?
What are the requirements around clubs in the CCL? Any club not already in MPL but with aspirations to be.
Do they need a reserve team? Yes.
