G'day folks,
As
an A-League supporter and Newcastle Jets Supporter (I know, not a
good way to introduce myself and Im sure I'll cop it for not only
being an Aussie, but a Jets supporter) I, along with many other
supporters of the A-league are watching with a keen eye the
developments of the league's newest member, Wellington Phoenix FC
and wish u all the best for the season.
Im
also interested to know a little more about football in New Zealand
and in particular Wellington. Is Wellington the heartland of
football in NZ more so than Auckland? How does football rate
against the other sports in Wellington? Do u think the Wellington
public will connect with an A-League franchise better
than the Auckland public? What is Junior participation
like acroos the country? and finally, what are some of the
reasons why NZ is not a top 50 ranked side and has only made 1
World Cup?
Dont have to answer all questions if u dont wish. I, along with
many others this side of the Tasman, just have a genuine
interest in NZ football and would like the Wellington Phoenix to do
well both on and off the park in order to keep the A-League
in its infancy a healthy state.
Ur Thoughts?
Wellington doesn't have Auckland's population base - but then that
hardly delivered the big crowds or A-League support.
Rugby is still king (sadly), wherever you go in NZ, but
Wellington does have strong football community, esp for its size.
They will get behind the Phoenix. On top of that, Wellingtonians
identify with their city a lot more than Aucklanders. They will
take an interest in "their" team. Wellington will want the
franchise succeed all the more because Auckland failed.
Wellington also has advantage that the stadium is superbly
located - right near the heart of town. Anyone can get their
without too much drama - completely different to North Harbour
stadium. Its also a good venue - although probably a touch too big
for the Phoenix (we'll make it work).
Of course, the rugbycentric media will be quick to get stuck
into the franchise if they lose a few on the trot. There is always
an underlying tendency amongst NZ media and public to be cynical
about football and bag it when the opportunity arises. But that is
just life in NZ.
We shall, we shall, we shall overcome ...
Wellington has a strong football community but it remains to be
seen how many will turn out each week for the A League - I think
more than Auckland. National League Team Wellington generally get
bigger crowds than the other teams but it is a much smaller
competition and many football people don't go very often. Like
anywhere, we all have club rivalries during the year but it will be
good to have an A League team to follow.
Team Wellington have it is fair to say - underperformed. But in other areas like the local national knock cup (Chatham Cup), Wellington has held its own.
I think the stadium location is a big factor, it is easy to hop on a train to get there and the central city is right next door.
Wellington has pretty good record in supporting one off events like the Kingz playing here, or the rugby league games. The Hurricane rugby team is the best supported team in town, probably the best supported franchise in any sport in New Zealand. The annual sevens tournament has become a huge party and you're lucky if you can get a ticket to it.
We're in with a shot of getting good support, and Wellington fans tend to stick by a team through thick and thin. However, would be helpful if we get a strong team on the park, as it might pull in more of the rugby fraternity.
Can't wait.
Team Wellington have it is fair to say - underperformed. But in other areas like the local national knock cup (Chatham Cup), Wellington has held its own.
I think the stadium location is a big factor, it is easy to hop on a train to get there and the central city is right next door.
Wellington has pretty good record in supporting one off events like the Kingz playing here, or the rugby league games. The Hurricane rugby team is the best supported team in town, probably the best supported franchise in any sport in New Zealand. The annual sevens tournament has become a huge party and you're lucky if you can get a ticket to it.
We're in with a shot of getting good support, and Wellington fans tend to stick by a team through thick and thin. However, would be helpful if we get a strong team on the park, as it might pull in more of the rugby fraternity.
Can't wait.
Sounds promising. It will be good if u guys can pull a 12-13000 crowd for the 1st game and that the marketing staff from the club can really pump up the first game. It would also be ideal if the media jump on the band-wagon and promote the team. A good relationship between the club and local media is vital and if NZ's media is anything like Aus (Im guessin it would), they have a lot of power in the way something can be portrayed.
For those a little un-educated about Wellington (ie, me), can
u fill us in on the type of City it is. What its renouned for
(Besides being the capital), what are the people like, what is
the culture like, is it multi-cultural?
Gee - that could keep me busy all day. It is a harbour city and the
central city is pretty compact so you can walk almost anywhere. The
stadium is not far from the central city by the harbour, and
Wellington has something of a reputation for its nightlife, with
the bars in Courtney Place staying open all night in the
weekend.
Some would like to say we're the arts capital as well, and I guess we think we're more cultured than the Aucklanders up the road. We have arts festivals and the national museum Te Papa is right on the harbours edge.
The terrain is very hilly and a cable car goes up from the city to the suburbs above.
So it is not only the capital of New Zealand - it is the PARTY capital. After most sports events the city is full with after match functions.
Although we love to play them on the park, it's fair to say the Greek community has had a fair bit to do with football in Wellington, and it wouldn't be argued they bring colour to the game. It's a fairly multi-cultural city but probably not as much as Auckland.
Stadium holds 35000 and is known by Aucklanders as the caketin, by locals as just The Stadium.
So - to sum it up - we're renowned for our PARTY CULTURE!!!!!!
PS We're also have indoor fottball down right on the harbours edge at Shed 1 - surrounded by water on three sides. And the best indoor football team in Wellington by 30 June 2030 http://www.zephyrfc.blogspot.com/
Zephyr2007-04-07 20:10:03
Some would like to say we're the arts capital as well, and I guess we think we're more cultured than the Aucklanders up the road. We have arts festivals and the national museum Te Papa is right on the harbours edge.
The terrain is very hilly and a cable car goes up from the city to the suburbs above.
So it is not only the capital of New Zealand - it is the PARTY capital. After most sports events the city is full with after match functions.
Although we love to play them on the park, it's fair to say the Greek community has had a fair bit to do with football in Wellington, and it wouldn't be argued they bring colour to the game. It's a fairly multi-cultural city but probably not as much as Auckland.
Stadium holds 35000 and is known by Aucklanders as the caketin, by locals as just The Stadium.
So - to sum it up - we're renowned for our PARTY CULTURE!!!!!!
PS We're also have indoor fottball down right on the harbours edge at Shed 1 - surrounded by water on three sides. And the best indoor football team in Wellington by 30 June 2030 http://www.zephyrfc.blogspot.com/
Zephyr2007-04-07 20:10:03
Some of the reasons why NZ isn't ranked in the top 50 in the fifa
rankings.
1. Being in Oceania, we play way less games then other countries.
2. Our best players (Nelsen, Elliot, Killen etc) don't play for us very often for a number of reasons.
3. The majority of the public supports cricket, rugby, league and netball and football is ignored.
1. Being in Oceania, we play way less games then other countries.
2. Our best players (Nelsen, Elliot, Killen etc) don't play for us very often for a number of reasons.
3. The majority of the public supports cricket, rugby, league and netball and football is ignored.
Let's be honest, we're a long way from the top 50. NZ has
been able to produce plenty of capable footballers in positions
where grit and determination go a long way, mostly defenders and
central midfielders. But we have really struggled to produce
technically excellent players, or those with any genuine attacking
flair. Hopefully changes in the coaching emphasis at grass
roots level, and increased talent identification at a young age
will help to remedy this. But the best athletes will often
end up plaing rugby, and while understandable, that is a real
issue.