Huawei Wellington United Phoenix Academy Football School of Excellence - WeeNix

 I think Tobias will be signed just not announced in the first batch.

I thought Academy was restricted to NZ players(official residency status)

In essence, the academy was built for strengthening young kiwis and give them a step to the nix, but if Bertsch, the 2 potential indians, or other young promising players want to join, then it can't really be too bad. 

If they are imports then it makes it harder for them to play, however, it is often that one of our 5 imports will be injured, so if we did need to call them up then they could probably play. 

Also means if we are getting them in youner (say 15 or 16) then they will be eligible for NZ rep teams when they are still pretty young

All this talk about the Phoenix opening academies in other centres like Auckland begs the question - why is the development of football in NZ divided into separate camps each pulling in its own direction?

On the one hand we have an Australian registered team playing in Wellington which is now commendably promoting young NZ talent into professional careers in a reasonably decent league (I expect howls of outrage from a few individuals opposed to the A League at Kiwitea Street for even saying this). But the A League is the best professional option we have in this part of the world and is growing. However should they win the A League the Phoenix are barred from competing in the Asian Champions League because they are not deemed to be Australian.

Then we have the Phoenix Academy which has a number of exciting young NZ players in its ranks but no-where to play as a functioning reserve team so it has hitched its wagon to Team Wellington (which I think is a good idea).

The same TW plays in a sorely neglected national league (ASBP) which is officially amateur, receives no tv coverage or investment by NZF, yet qualifies for the O League (whose prizemoney largely keeps the eight team ASBP afloat). This all depends on one club, Auckland City FC and its Croatian/NZ backers being able to produce a team capable of beating the best teams in the Pacific Islands each year.

For a player to play in both the A League and the ASBP there officially is a 30-day stand down from the professional to the 'amateur'. However NZF has the power (it appears) to ignore that if it so wishes (as it has done with Jacob Spoonley recently).

Thus we have separate threads to local football each with their own agenda.

The problem is we're not working together. So why can't we do the following to bridge the divide:

*   Have the Phoenix reserve team play in the ASB Premiership (as Team Wellington) with the right to qualify for the O League? This could only be good for the standard of the competition which is currently lopsided in favour of ACFC. However there must be a provision that only reserve team, and not regular first team players, can participate.

*   In return the backers of the Phoenix invest in the ASB Premiership by putting up decent prizemoney and or funding tv coverage. There is serious talk that a South Auckland team based on Fijian support and a Nelson team want to enter the ASBP next season. While this will be good for the competition it's going to make participating more expensive and several clubs can barely survive as it is. As the Phoenix is now promoting good young ASBP players like Fenton and Boyd, a more robust national league can only be good for the future of the Phoenix. The ASBP needs investment and the Phoenix need developing NZ players so its a win for both.

*   There be a home and away challenge each year between the Phoenix and the winner of the ASB Premiership?

Just a thought.

couple of really good ideas there Trublue, one major problem I can see is that the individual personalities running the various shows that you've identified wont/cant work together as it would mean a shift in their own interests. I can't see anyone in ACFC wanting to opush for anything that would shift their dominance. I maybe wrong but it all rides on NZF - who are average at best - to egt off the butts and make it happen

Fair point about vested interests but that has come about because we're not pulling together. Everyone is fighting their own corner and not for the bigger picture. ACFC has to put everything into putting out a team that can win the O League, hence its reliance on imports. If it doesn't win the O League pot of gold each season then the whole national league is in doubt. No other team in the ASBP seems ot be able to seriously challenge for the O League at the moment so ACFC are almost going it alone.

Somehow we've got to find a way to bridge the divides for the good of the game in this country. Any suggestions? 

I was at the Auckland City game yesterday and it was annouced that Auckland City are Playing Phoenix A this Wednesday at Kiwitea St

Assume it will be the School of Excellence plus non travellers and subs

I have been away for a few days so don`t know if it has been mentioned previously in othe threads

Get out your knitting needles !

http://asbpremiership.co.nz/index.php?id=28&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1633&tx_ttnews[backPid]=3&cHash=4e549c5cc3

Wellington Phoenix Challenge – Fixtures

Auckland City v Wellington Phoenix ‘A'
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
November 7, 2012

Canterbury United v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
ASB Football Park, Christchurch
November 28, 2012

Waitakere United v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
Fred Taylor Park, Auckland
December 5, 2012

Team Wellington v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
David Farrington Park, Wellington
December 12, 2012

YoungHeart Manawatu v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
Memorial Park, Palmerston North
January 9, 2013

Hawke’s Bay United v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
Bluewater Stadium, Napier
January 23, 2013

NZ U-20 Selection v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
TBC, Auckland
January 30, 2013

Waikato FC v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton
February 20, 2013

Otago United v Wellington Phoenix ‘A’
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
February 27, 2013

How will they play Team Wellington? Isn't there some pretty significant overlap?

Same withan under 20 selection

Play it on Fifa13

obviously teedubs arent on fifa

 Anyone know what time the game vs Canterbury United is next week? So far all I have is that its on a Wednesday.

 Cheers

TW v Manawatu video highlights  

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8005928/Ricki-Herbert-to-asses-Sanchezs-readiness 

will be interesting to see how soon Sanchez can return...

Also no mention how the forgotten man Lindsay playing tonight but you'd assume he will be

George Costanza wrote:

Wed 28 Nov

Canterbury

Wellington Phoenix 'A'

7.00pm, Wednesday 28 Nov, 2012

ASB Football Park, Christchurch

 

Any news?

2-1 to Nix. Sanchez and maybe Hamish Watson (Clapham tweeted the "Big guy from Team Wellington) the scorers, and Clapham for Canterbury. 

We lost 3-2.

Canterbury 3-2 Phoenix 'A'
Nix goals to Hamish Watson and Dani Sanchez
Aaron Clapham scored a great solo goal too, trying to show off for Ricki.

Phoenix lined up like this
               Basalaj
??? Boxall Solomons Rowe
               Lindsay
       Biss Sanchez Clarke
          Watson Boyd

Sanchez played 55 mins, was the stand out player imo, really fell apart when he went off.
Boyd played 45 mins, another stand out.
Downey surprisingly got on for 30 mins too, was average.
Hamish Watson played full 90 scored and provided an assist, looked decent.

Thought Downey started at right back. Was really impressed with Watson up front

First half was fairly even. Second half we were under the pump from Canterbury a bit more. Referee seemed a bit against Canterbury especially towards the end of the game.

No real stand out performers although the midfield did look more secure whilst Sanchez was on.

Almost all the academy players got on towards the end and we fell apart, really disjointed and Canterbury dominated.
Excited about Sanchez' return, really dominated the midfield. Might be that creative spark that we've been missing.

Someone recorded the game too, most Canterbury home games are so there should be some footage going up on Youtube soon of the match.

Yeah I didn't want to be the one to say it but Lindsay was quite disappointing. Gave the ball away far too often. Always wondered why he never got a go for the 1st team. Maybe he just had a bad game but yeah he wasn't great.
Defence was pretty slack, Box dominated in the air but when the Canterbury runners got in behind we were in trouble.

Hmm If Lindsay did have a bad game, he isn't doing himself any favours if he can't take these opportunities to have a good game.

Next games are

Waitakere

Phoenix

Wed 5 Dec, 2012, 6:15pm

Fred Taylor Park

 Oh shit.  I'm meant to cover that but it clashes with my work Xmas do.

Thought that would have been a good curtain raiser opportunity. 

HN can only dream of having that much influence.