Yeah some fundamental differences between US and more reserved Kiwi psyche. Also ice hockey is a collison sport, with big hits and plenty of stoppages to throw some loud music in there.
Once a football game starts I just want to watch the football, and I hate loud music or some DJ on aloud PA during a game. But pre game, yeah bring on the entertainment and some glitz. I'm all for that. I went to a Colombian league playoff game in Medellin a few years ago, and it was all smoke cannons and relentless drumming pre game. Superb atmosphere. Actually the drumming, jumping & chanting went all game. Made me want to go again.
NZ sports watching is generally so staid & dull. The Nix are a genuine point of difference, but still they don't have the resources of a Foley to go OTT. I hope the Auck club does. Crowds have been dwinding in the ALM for a number of years, absolutely no harm in trying someone a bit different with a touch of glitz. They are a new start up team with a clean slate, they can do what they want.
You entertain the casuals, and immigrant fans (many of whom no doubt find NZ dull, when they attend sports like rugby compared to back home) - and that will help keep the crowd numbers up.
I would be surprised to see Greenacre appointed head coach. Sure he has been around the A-League a long time, mainly as an assistant but how many A-League games has he had in charge as actual head coach? He has mainly been dropped in to take over between changes of coach. Why has the Nix never given him the head coach job? I could see him getting some role in Auckland perhaps as director of football or setting up the academy.
I would be surprised to see Greenacre appointed head coach. Sure he has been around the A-League a long time, mainly as an assistant but how many A-League games has he had in charge as actual head coach? He has mainly been dropped in to take over between changes of coach. Why has the Nix never given him the head coach job? I could see him getting some role in Auckland perhaps as director of football or setting up the academy.
Don’t think he’s had the required quals to be a permanent head coach, until the last 12 mths
I would be surprised to see Greenacre appointed head coach. Sure he has been around the A-League a long time, mainly as an assistant but how many A-League games has he had in charge as actual head coach? He has mainly been dropped in to take over between changes of coach. Why has the Nix never given him the head coach job? I could see him getting some role in Auckland perhaps as director of football or setting up the academy.
Don’t think he’s has the required quals to be a permanent head coach, until the last 12 mths
He was a co-coach, or a very important assistant with Des way aback? And he’s been caretaker iirc?
I would be surprised to see Greenacre appointed head coach. Sure he has been around the A-League a long time, mainly as an assistant but how many A-League games has he had in charge as actual head coach? He has mainly been dropped in to take over between changes of coach. Why has the Nix never given him the head coach job? I could see him getting some role in Auckland perhaps as director of football or setting up the academy.
Don’t think he’s has the required quals to be a permanent head coach, until the last 12 mths
He was a co-coach, or a very important assistant with Des way aback? And he’s been caretaker iirc?
When Ernie left, Greenacre took over for a few games. Because he didn't have the appropriate license, Buckingham was given the gig on paper & they were "co managers". He also was caretaker when Ricki & DK left.
Wonder if any new Auckland A-League team staff were impressed with any of the players on show in the final today
This is something I've been thinking about. A few complaints around the traps that these days the Nix recruit from their academy rather than the NL. Well, a few NL players with ambition will be wanting to impress that nice Mr Foley.
"Rugby league’s relationship with NZ has always been skewed by a power imbalance, with Australian clubs long pillaging the region’s talent pool like it’s the cashew station at Coles."
Wonder if any new Auckland A-League team staff were impressed with any of the players on show in the final today
The recruitment process will be interesting. The goal will be to be competitive from Day 1, so would the likes of Howieson/JHS be able to instantly make the step up?
In his WeeNix role, he has seen plenty of all the local options at least.
Wonder if any new Auckland A-League team staff were impressed with any of the players on show in the final today
The recruitment process will be interesting. The goal will be to be competitive from Day 1, so would the likes of Howieson/JHS be able to instantly make the step up?
In his WeeNix role, he has seen plenty of all the local options at least.
JHS, Howieson, Tracey and De Vries could all easily at least make the bench in a solid ALM team.
Wonder if any new Auckland A-League team staff were impressed with any of the players on show in the final today
The recruitment process will be interesting. The goal will be to be competitive from Day 1, so would the likes of Howieson/JHS be able to instantly make the step up?
In his WeeNix role, he has seen plenty of all the local options at least.
Another reason why Greeny is a solid if unexciting pick as their first coach. They have no Academy, there is only about 50-60 Kiwis of ALM or greater quality playing pro football worldwide. Only a small number will be available and/or want to come to the 09. It's a shallow talent pool, until that Academy is operating.
So crucial that you have someone who understands the NZ local scene very well. And who knows the domestic players who likely have the goods, after a solid intense preseason to step up to ALM level. Didn't Talay say recruitment was 80% of the job?
I’m with you, appointing him would not be the big statement of intent this new franchise needs. What is it? 5 imports and an extra 2 marquees? Presumably at and well above the level Greenie played at. A bit like buying a $5,000 suit and wearing it with a pair of KMart shoes.austin111
I would be surprised to see Greenacre appointed head coach. Sure he has been around the A-League a long time, mainly as an assistant but how many A-League games has he had in charge as actual head coach? He has mainly been dropped in to take over between changes of coach. Why has the Nix never given him the head coach job? I could see him getting some role in Auckland perhaps as director of football or setting up the academy.
Greenie is very talented. He has played many different roles in developing a club and players. He knows the Nz scene well as well as having that professional player exp. I think if offered/applied for, he makes a hell of a lot of sense.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
I was under the impression it had always been a max of 5 visa players in the squad of 23-26.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
I was under the impression it had always been a max of 5 visa players in the squad of 23-26.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
Probably got an exemption 'cause they were all shark.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
Probably got an exemption 'cause they were all shark.
Didn’t WSW have something similar when they set up?
theprof
did they have NZ citizenship as well?
1) yes, WSW were allowed to sign up to 7 imports for the first two years, in the teeth of opposition. Can't find any reference to a similar deal for the Knights or whether there were even import quotas in 2005-7.
2) No. The Knights' original imports were van Eijs, Devine, Emblen, Imaya, Collett, Yeo, Zhang and Bull.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
I was under the impression it had always been a max of 5 visa players in the squad of 23-26.
So Foley (or one of his staff) has already reached out to Northern Region Football. Oversight to not mention the good folk of BOP & the Waikato. I'm guessing he owns some NZ assets up Northland way. https://www.nrf.org.nz/newsarticle/135247?newsfeedId=1496305
“This is brilliant news for our football community, who will soon have professional football teams of their own to support, and local derbies with the Wellington Phoenix to look forward to. This couldn’t come at a better time, off the back of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023” said NRF CE Laura Menzies.
“Strong professional teams need a strong football community behind them, and we look forward to working with AKLFootball24 to build that connection with our clubs.”
“From speaking with Bill Foley’s team, we’re excited by their track record of investing and building the grassroots game. Bill has written to our clubs today to outline his vision, and NRF looks forward to helping guide this mahi,” said Laura Menzies.
Bill Foley's letter to NRF clubs: To the members of Northern Region Football clubs,
I trust you share in my excitement with the news that we will be bringing an A-Leagues club and professional football to Auckland. T
his is a momentous occasion that brings with it the chance to build a partnership amongst us and our collective ability to create more opportunity for football at all levels, and amongst all people in Tāmaki Makaurau and Northland alike.
Our vision for the club is to become part of the community, help inspire young people to pick up the game, and give football fans the chance to see, and follow, an elite level of the sport in your own backyard. We look forward to fielding a men’s team less than a year from now and a women’s team a year later, in the 2025-26 season.
But we don’t plan to passively see the impact this club has. That’s not how my teams have operated in Las Vegas or Bournemouth, and won’t be in Auckland either. We will invest our time and money to promote the growth of the game throughout the community while also building for success on the pitch.
In Las Vegas, we have invested in ice hockey facilities and put sticks in the hands of local students. The result was a more than 400% growth in youth hockey participation across the state in the short time the Golden Knights have existed. It has been extremely rewarding to witness that growth, while also celebrating the success of our professional players raising the Stanley Cup.
We have owned AFC Bournemouth for less than a year, but have already committed to giving back to the young players in the community. We have been particularly active on the girls and women’s side and look forward to continued growth there. Meanwhile, we are moving toward completion of building a world-class training facility in Bournemouth, a key component in developing some of the best talent in the sport.
We look forward to working with Northern Region Football, your clubs and members to co-create a similar impact in Auckland and Northland. We want to help drive growth in both the number and the quality of local players – we know this will benefit your club and ours in the long run. Ultimately, we hope to see some of your players competing for us in the A-Leagues and to become future Football Ferns and All Whites.
With our multi-club model this will provide a pathway for Kiwi football players to succeed here and beyond, including the Premier League. I look forward to meeting many of you and sharing this exciting journey ahead.
This is just the start of what will be a mutually beneficial partnership and one that makes football in our Northern region better than ever.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
I was under the impression it had always been a max of 5 visa players in the squad of 23-26.
So Foley (or one of his staff) has already reached out to Northern Region Football. Oversight to not mention the good folk of BOP & the Waikato. I'm guessing he owns some NZ assets up Northland way. https://www.nrf.org.nz/newsarticle/135247?newsfeedId=1496305
“This is brilliant news for our football community, who will soon have professional football teams of their own to support, and local derbies with the Wellington Phoenix to look forward to. This couldn’t come at a better time, off the back of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023” said NRF CE Laura Menzies.
“Strong professional teams need a strong football community behind them, and we look forward to working with AKLFootball24 to build that connection with our clubs.”
“From speaking with Bill Foley’s team, we’re excited by their track record of investing and building the grassroots game. Bill has written to our clubs today to outline his vision, and NRF looks forward to helping guide this mahi,” said Laura Menzies.
Bill Foley's letter to NRF clubs: To the members of Northern Region Football clubs,
I trust you share in my excitement with the news that we will be bringing an A-Leagues club and professional football to Auckland. T
his is a momentous occasion that brings with it the chance to build a partnership amongst us and our collective ability to create more opportunity for football at all levels, and amongst all people in Tāmaki Makaurau and Northland alike.
Our vision for the club is to become part of the community, help inspire young people to pick up the game, and give football fans the chance to see, and follow, an elite level of the sport in your own backyard. We look forward to fielding a men’s team less than a year from now and a women’s team a year later, in the 2025-26 season.
But we don’t plan to passively see the impact this club has. That’s not how my teams have operated in Las Vegas or Bournemouth, and won’t be in Auckland either. We will invest our time and money to promote the growth of the game throughout the community while also building for success on the pitch.
In Las Vegas, we have invested in ice hockey facilities and put sticks in the hands of local students. The result was a more than 400% growth in youth hockey participation across the state in the short time the Golden Knights have existed. It has been extremely rewarding to witness that growth, while also celebrating the success of our professional players raising the Stanley Cup.
We have owned AFC Bournemouth for less than a year, but have already committed to giving back to the young players in the community. We have been particularly active on the girls and women’s side and look forward to continued growth there. Meanwhile, we are moving toward completion of building a world-class training facility in Bournemouth, a key component in developing some of the best talent in the sport.
We look forward to working with Northern Region Football, your clubs and members to co-create a similar impact in Auckland and Northland. We want to help drive growth in both the number and the quality of local players – we know this will benefit your club and ours in the long run. Ultimately, we hope to see some of your players competing for us in the A-Leagues and to become future Football Ferns and All Whites.
With our multi-club model this will provide a pathway for Kiwi football players to succeed here and beyond, including the Premier League. I look forward to meeting many of you and sharing this exciting journey ahead.
This is just the start of what will be a mutually beneficial partnership and one that makes football in our Northern region better than ever.
Bill
Someone suggested in another thread that Foley will look to do a deal to "take over" an NL club's spot for the 2024 season, like the Nix used to with Lower Hutt or Wellington United. He could definitely make it worth their while.
Slightly off-topic, but in my research on why the Knights failed I came across the fact that they had fifteen import players in their first season. Was there no import quota in 2005-7? Or were the Knights just exempt?
I was under the impression it had always been a max of 5 visa players in the squad of 23-26.
Auckland United has a pretty good academy set up (I believe they took over the Onehunga Sports set up?) and the best non-Phoenix women’s team in the country.
If Foley could set up a partnership there he’d be in good stead.
Wonder if there's more of a push for Asian Champions League access now there are two NZ teams.
The sooner NZF joins AFC the better. I'd rather not qualify for the WC and play quality opposition than thump the Island Nation's every 4 years but not gain the skill/quality to at least become a solid 3rd tier nation.
All Whites have been stuck on the spot for decades now. Joining a bigger confederation is the only way forward to get the most out of the talent we have. Both at country and club level and the game overall
Wonder if there's more of a push for Asian Champions League access now there are two NZ teams.
The sooner NZF joins AFC the better. I'd rather not qualify for the WC and play quality opposition than thump the Island Nation's every 4 years but not gain the skill/quality to at least become a solid 3rd tier nation.
All Whites have been stuck on the spot for decades now. Joining a bigger confederation is the only way forward to get the most out of the talent we have. Both at country and club level and the game overall
Wonder if there's more of a push for Asian Champions League access now there are two NZ teams.
The sooner NZF joins AFC the better. I'd rather not qualify for the WC and play quality opposition than thump the Island Nation's every 4 years but not gain the skill/quality to at least become a solid 3rd tier nation.
All Whites have been stuck on the spot for decades now. Joining a bigger confederation is the only way forward to get the most out of the talent we have. Both at country and club level and the game overall
it affects more than the AWs
Such heresy. I will not have any such slanderous statements. The football world revolves around the All Whites and to suggest otherwise is simply laughable and directly at odds with what the Church dictates.
I assume he wanted more money than the Phoenix would pay, but at his age he's going to be a risk for the Phoenix if on high wages, but might not be for an Auckland team with bottomless funds.
