Finding the next Ali Abbass

Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place. Can one of you Wellington based folk connect me with the 'Nix guys responsible for recruitment/player management etc?

I got talking with my lawyer in Baghdad, over a glass of mineral water, the other night about finding the next Ali Abbass in Iraq. I've been telling him about the 'Nix and how being the NZ based team in an Australian competition we need to find a competitive edge. 

Anyway, yesterday afternoon I got a call from a coach from Erbil F.C. He says he has a batch of talented, fit and strong 17 year olds from Iran, Iraq and Syria who he'd been keen to show-off to some recruiters. So if the Nix are keen I can organise a bit of a scouting mission to Erbil and they can see for themselves if there is any talent here worth pursuing...

I would be keen to for us to find a young, strong fit Ali Abbass to bolster our ranks. I can guarantee you won't find any other A League scouts here. Erbil's also a great spot, very relaxed, so don't need to worry about security etc... Apart from the odd earthquake, but hey being from Wellington they should be used to that.

I am back in Wellington on the 24th so can also go and pay them a visit if they're keen to organise something. 

Import quota, not proven. 

That's why he said scout, not sign.

Iran’s always brilliant on FM for youngsters, and Syria + Iraq are bound to have tons of untapped talent so it sounds brilliant! I don’t know how visa spots work with the Weenix but if we’re able to blood them there then we can easily see which ones are special, we can use a first team visa spot on those ones

The two Iraqi boys at Tasman United this season are both very good players

Great idea but very unlikely the Nix management would be keen to fly half way around the world to scout some young, raw, unproven talent which would take up an import slot.

If we had a decent residency program, it would be a different kettle of fish...bring three or four talented foreigners to study and develop their skills and maybe sign them in 4-5 years' time, especially if they then qualify for permanent residency - but we are miles away from anything like this.

[quote=newzealandpower]

Great idea but very unlikely the Nix management would be keen to fly half way around the world to scout some young, raw, unproven talent which would take up an import slot.

If we had a decent residency program, it would be a different kettle of fish...bring three or four talented foreigners to study and develop their skills and maybe sign them in 4-5 years' time, especially if they then qualify for permanent residency - but we are miles away from anything like this.

[/quoteThe Phoenix owners were talking about starting up an English learning programme at one stage. Has this happened ?

Old story (January 14 2016):

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/75903245/wellington-deputy-mayor-justin-lester-in-favour-of-ratepayer-support-for-phoenix

"Welnix chairman Rob Morrison has said his organisation would like to, with council support, branch into the English language school market eventually. Morrison said Wellington was under-represented in that area and the establishment of the club's academy at Scots College had highlighted an overseas demand for language training.

Lester said the council would not "directly" support an English language school, but that it could be among the positive "spin-offs" created by having the academy."

This would be a  great idea, i feel it's paramount that Welnix have an outstanding academy since we're the only pro outlet for young Kiwis in NZ and any improvements to the academy I'd welcome with open arms

Lester, the one term mayor. He's all for everyone else doing it but not the council on anything.

I'm not sure whatever happened to that to be honest. A couple of months ago (or more) there was something on the Nix social media about homestays for Academy players. My wife and I emailed the reference person and never even received an acknowledgment.