ChCh International has direct flights to Melbs and Nadi
Auckland International direct flights to Melbs, Nadi, Papeete, Port Vila and Noumea (NC no team as yet).
I guess travel in & out of Port Moresby and Honiara will need to be via Aussie (Brisbane?).
Don't also forget OFC are headquartered in Auckland, and it's far bigger than ChCh re commercial dollars. You are more likely to find a commercial sponsor with a wider Oceania presence based in the 09 than the 03.
Plus you have various Pacific communities there especially Fijian.
Auckland was always going to get a hub.
The hubs are also a congested 3 games in a week.
Ideally you'd try to get 3 teams to fly down & back from the Auckland hub to have 3 SIU games in ChCh in that week, but maybe it is just all too hard, and would add significant travel/accommodation/extra broadcasting setup expenses.
Maybe with the playoffs in May, ChCh can host a game. I think the playoffs are scheduled for Auckland.
Auckland International direct flights to Melbs, Nadi, Papeete, Port Vila and Noumea (NC no team as yet).
I guess travel in & out of Port Moresby and Honiara will need to be via Aussie (Brisbane?).
Don't also forget OFC are headquartered in Auckland, and it's far bigger than ChCh re commercial dollars. You are more likely to find a commercial sponsor with a wider Oceania presence based in the 09 than the 03.
Plus you have various Pacific communities there especially Fijian.
Auckland was always going to get a hub.
The hubs are also a congested 3 games in a week.
Ideally you'd try to get 3 teams to fly down & back from the Auckland hub to have 3 SIU games in ChCh in that week, but maybe it is just all too hard, and would add significant travel/accommodation/extra broadcasting setup expenses.
Maybe with the playoffs in May, ChCh can host a game. I think the playoffs are scheduled for Auckland.