Huawei Wellington United Phoenix Academy Football School of Excellence - WeeNix
In my playing days in the Central League [70s] Stop Out reserves played in the 3rd division but couldn't get promoted to the 2nd. They won the league in 1974 and 2 [North Wellington] and 3 [Leopard United] went up to the 2nd. As a player in that competition, it didn't bother me there was a national league reserve team playing, it made me try harder in fact.
I'm sure you could get an exemption/dispensation for a professional nix youth teamto play in the NZFC.
To me it also seems you are more worried about ACFC not being at the top and the youth team devaluing the nzfc competition.
Are you sure they would run away winners with it?
Besides if the nix team sat in the top 4 after the round robin could you not give there spot in the finals to the 5th placecd team. therefore the nix yoof wouldn't have a chance of being crowned NZFC champs?
Christo2010-03-02 21:42:38
To me it also seems you are more worried about ACFC not being at the top and the youth team devaluing the nzfc competition.
Are you sure they would run away winners with it?
Besides if the nix team sat in the top 4 after the round robin could you not give there spot in the finals to the 5th placecd team. therefore the nix yoof wouldn't have a chance of being crowned NZFC champs?
Christo2010-03-02 21:42:38
From a NZ football fan perspective the nix reserves in the NZFC would be ideal.
Blue is looking at it from his Auck perspective, as are alot of people from the nix view. But at the end of the day, ultimately would it be better to have it or not... the answer is yes.
Bluemagic you are a lone voice, and an annoying one at that. Your comments on your club site show you to be an arrogant, close minded individual. Argue all you like, the real truth here as read by most i assume ( an educated guess) is you are worried that the Nix reserves will show your team up to be the amatuer side it really is.
p.s. I have great respect for what you have done as a club for the last year. But NZ football need the nix, and both need it to have avisible active reserve side.
I guess if the FFA/AFC won't budge and allow a Nix reserve team then some way has to be found to get one in the NZFC. Otherwise NZ players are going to get few chances to break through into professional ranks with the A league.
But the obstacles are enormous and I'm not sure they can be overcome. I know there's a lot of resistence within the NZFC for valid reasons, even though it would do good things for the profile of the competition.
One possible way to solve it is if South Auckland do get a team in next season, that creates an odd number of teams in the NZFC. So each week the odd team out plays a friendly against the Nix reserves at Newtown Park. Nothing at stake but bragging rights and visibility for the players. If Terry would pay for it, that might interest the NZFC clubs.
I agree with this.
It's not ideal that competition points aren't on the line, but players at this level are competitive enough in their own right to make it worth while.
Adding a bye week into the NZFC and then using that to play the Nix without actually placing the Nix in the comp would also maintain the independence of the NZFC and escape all the player transfer/ncaa eligibility issues.
Perhaps the most likely solution.
I remember when Kevin Fallon was coach of the Kingz during their death rattle he used to play weekly friendly but competitive games against what were Superclub teams like North Shore United and Napier City Rovers which then made up the national league.
Surely any Phoenix players in a reserve team playing a friendly against a NZFC club will want to impress Ricki so they get first II game time and would try their hardest. Likewise the NZFC team would not want to be trounced by the Nix. But it would have to be an invitation friendly.
And the Phoenix play games here in pre-season against local sides and invitational teams and those are competitive enough.
For all the reasons listed in this thread about College eligibility and pro/am transfer difficulties I suspect the fastest fix (not requiring FIFA intervention) will be to arrange the Nix in the draw but not have the games actually be part of the comp.
If you go back about ten pages you will find I suggested this and was laughed out of court (I think) by Uncloz.
It could actually work. How on earth did Smithy and Bluemagic both think of it? Does that mean they agree on something?
Benefits would be two fold. Nix reserves get a decent game each week and a chance to impress coaching staff. NZFC players get a chance to play against professional players and possibly shine for future A-League contracts.
Only issue I see is NZFC teams pulling out to "rest" players. It would need some sort of mandate by NZ Football that the game are compulsory.
BUT where would they play? :-)
Only issue I see is NZFC teams pulling out to "rest" players. It would need some sort of mandate by NZ Football that the game are compulsory.
BUT where would they play? :-)
But I can imagine a lot of players would really want to get involved with playing the Phoenix reserves - as it would give them some degree of exposure to a professional league. It would be hard to coaches to convince their first team to rest if all the first team players really want to get into it.
The coaches wouldnt care about playing their players against a nix reserves team,theyre not that desperate for exposure to a pro environment. They will rest players.
who really cares whether the opposition rest players or not, all we really want is our reserves to get a game - and gel....treat it like a training game and deal with it, the NZFC teams who decide to feild weaker teams will eventually lose out cos their reserves will be getting thrashed.
Id prefer competitive games to keep them up to speed. Friendles during a bye week in the NZFC is really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of what we want. The reserve side would also never play at home,unless playing TW.
If it were at all possible to be playing for some sort of points,then thatd be ideal. Even if it is just the NZFC sides getting points and not us. If not possible,then i guess the only option is the friendly route,being better than nothing,but pretty terrible still.
I guess if the FFA/AFC won't budge and allow a Nix reserve team then some way has to be found to get one in the NZFC. Otherwise NZ players are going to get few chances to break through into professional ranks with the A league.
But the obstacles are enormous and I'm not sure they can be overcome. I know there's a lot of resistence within the NZFC for valid reasons, even though it would do good things for the profile of the competition.
One possible way to solve it is if South Auckland do get a team in next season, that creates an odd number of teams in the NZFC. So each week the odd team out plays a friendly against the Nix reserves at Newtown Park. Nothing at stake but bragging rights and visibility for the players. If Terry would pay for it, that might interest the NZFC clubs.
I agree with this.
It's not ideal that competition points aren't on the line, but players at this level are competitive enough in their own right to make it worth while.
Adding a bye week into the NZFC and then using that to play the Nix without actually placing the Nix in the comp would also maintain the independence of the NZFC and escape all the player transfer/ncaa eligibility issues.
Perhaps the most likely solution.
I agree also. Two people agreeing with you at the same time must be a personal record Bluemagic!
I'm sure the NZFC fanboys would do a good job of keeping the "unofficial" league table (which includes the 'Nix reserves results) up to date anyway. That would probably be followed with just as much interest as the real table. Kind of like keeping two sets of books for your business.
We shouldn't give up on the FFA just yet either. Their reasons for not allowing the 'Nix a youth team are spurious at best when you consider everything else we are currently contributing. And for goodness sake, is Aussie and Asian football in such a crisis that if the 'Nix have a youth team over there NZ is suddenly going to emerge as a world power? Hardly. It's just about being able to compete in the A-League on an equal footing.
That said, if it's just not going to happen next season then we have to find a local solution. Competing in the NZFC for points would be best but the idea above is still better than nothing.
That said, if it's just not going to happen next season then we have to find a local solution. Competing in the NZFC for points would be best but the idea above is still better than nothing.
Couldn't agree more...
Play for points is ideal, but if not then play friendlies, at least the fringe players etc are playing every week. I feel for someone like Mulligan, Ferrente and Costa , at the end of the day although they are getting paid, they are footballers and therefore would want to play -surely...
Well Winston Bogarde was quite happy sitting on the bench at Chelsea every week raking in the millions.
Yay 
- its decided then - Lets do that...have friendlies every week against the non - playing NZFC team at ROF as curtain raiser when Nix at home else at Newtown or other suitable venue when they are away.
Make it So ..... (NZF ???)
- its decided then - Lets do that...have friendlies every week against the non - playing NZFC team at ROF as curtain raiser when Nix at home else at Newtown or other suitable venue when they are away.
Make it So ..... (NZF ???)
Id still rather push for more and not just resort to the cop out option.
Priority:
1) NYL in aussie so we are on equal footing with the rest of the A League
2) Competitive NZFC games that will actually mean something to the team we are playing
3) Friendly games vs whichever NZFC opposition has the bye that week,and always away from home (except vs TW)
Why would that be absurd ?
You're happy to be a club with a budget 10 times every other clubs and lead the league, and to go out and pick up the best players from every other club, why would that be wrong for the Phoenix ?
You're also talking like it will be the Phoenix first team playing each week. With a squad of 22, 15 are involved with the first team each week, usually a couple injured means you would be playing 5 or 6 professionals and every chance two or three of them would be the U21 players. The other 8 or so would be youngsters in an Academy. That too scarey for City's players ?
According to you the Phoenix are too chicken to play ACFC because they might lose, but now Auckland wouldn't want to play a Phoenix academy because they are professional ?
Once again, cake and eat it to. The Nix have to be part of the NZFC or it's pointless.
You're happy to be a club with a budget 10 times every other clubs and lead the league, and to go out and pick up the best players from every other club, why would that be wrong for the Phoenix ?
You're also talking like it will be the Phoenix first team playing each week. With a squad of 22, 15 are involved with the first team each week, usually a couple injured means you would be playing 5 or 6 professionals and every chance two or three of them would be the U21 players. The other 8 or so would be youngsters in an Academy. That too scarey for City's players ?
According to you the Phoenix are too chicken to play ACFC because they might lose, but now Auckland wouldn't want to play a Phoenix academy because they are professional ?
Once again, cake and eat it to. The Nix have to be part of the NZFC or it's pointless.
Get a grip HN. I think if I invented a cure for cancer you'd accuse me of having it in for undertakers.
ACFC doesn't have a budget ten times every other club. True it won $2 million at the CWC but that was divided between NZF, the other NZFC clubs and ACFC before they even set off, as you know. City is in fact largely financing the NZFC with its success in the CWC so don't point an unfair accusing finger at a little club that could, and did!
City has not poached all the best players from the other clubs. Only Hogg, Hayne and Koprovic (both once Central players) have joined. I'd love to have the likes of Butler, Lancaster and Clapham, even Barron but they play for other clubs.
What would be wrong with the Phoenix going around buying up all the best local talent for a reserve team in the NZFC is that they can pay professional wages, the NZFC clubs are not allowed, as you know as well. The NZFC clubs are under tight scrutiny about what they can pay players, the Phoenix are not. It would not be a level playing field.
Are these youngsters from a Phoenix academy going to be professional or amateur? Are you suggesting in reality the Phoenix would only have half a dozen professionals available and they'd fill the rest of a reserve team with kids from an academy?
It can only be friendlies.
I'm not really up to play on the domestic football front. Is the NZFC definitely expanding by only one team?
This friendly proposition isn't ideal, not by any means, but it isn't a bad idea. Youngheart, TW, and HB (possibly) wouldn't be too bad distance-wise, but the rest of the teams would be a bit more difficult. Hopefully NZF would help fund it if they considered it feasible.
What I see as a potential issue is would the FFA allow it? The Phoenix would not have a NYL squad, but with the 14 extra players (which, roughly, would be the numbers we'd need for a second squad) we'd effectively have a 37 man squad. 37 men for one team. FFA would see our reasons, I'm sure (I mean it's blindingly obvious) but still, would they allow it? Considering the friendly's would have nothing to do with the A-League at all.
This friendly proposition isn't ideal, not by any means, but it isn't a bad idea. Youngheart, TW, and HB (possibly) wouldn't be too bad distance-wise, but the rest of the teams would be a bit more difficult. Hopefully NZF would help fund it if they considered it feasible.
What I see as a potential issue is would the FFA allow it? The Phoenix would not have a NYL squad, but with the 14 extra players (which, roughly, would be the numbers we'd need for a second squad) we'd effectively have a 37 man squad. 37 men for one team. FFA would see our reasons, I'm sure (I mean it's blindingly obvious) but still, would they allow it? Considering the friendly's would have nothing to do with the A-League at all.
If you had bothered reading the history of these plans instead of wading in 12 months later you would know that the Phoenix have made it clear that the plans for an NZFC (or an Australian NYL) side are for an 8 to 9 man youth team, probably an academy tied to a local school. The rest of the squad would be made up of the players in the first team squad not getting game time, which would also quite likely include another 3 players Under-21 each week.
They also stated clearly that they will not approach any youngsters currently with any NZFC sides so they can't be accused of picking the eyes out of other clubs.
Hard News2010-03-03 22:05:21
They also stated clearly that they will not approach any youngsters currently with any NZFC sides so they can't be accused of picking the eyes out of other clubs.
Hard News2010-03-03 22:05:21
I guess if the FFA/AFC won't budge and allow a Nix reserve team then some way has to be found to get one in the NZFC. Otherwise NZ players are going to get few chances to break through into professional ranks with the A league.
But the obstacles are enormous and I'm not sure they can be overcome. I know there's a lot of resistence within the NZFC for valid reasons, even though it would do good things for the profile of the competition.
One possible way to solve it is if South Auckland do get a team in next season, that creates an odd number of teams in the NZFC. So each week the odd team out plays a friendly against the Nix reserves at Newtown Park. Nothing at stake but bragging rights and visibility for the players. If Terry would pay for it, that might interest the NZFC clubs.
I agree with this.
It's not ideal that competition points aren't on the line, but players at this level are competitive enough in their own right to make it worth while.
Adding a bye week into the NZFC and then using that to play the Nix without actually placing the Nix in the comp would also maintain the independence of the NZFC and escape all the player transfer/ncaa eligibility issues.
Perhaps the most likely solution.
I agree also. Two people agreeing with you at the same time must be a personal record Bluemagic!
I'm sure the NZFC fanboys would do a good job of keeping the "unofficial" league table (which includes the 'Nix reserves results) up to date anyway. That would probably be followed with just as much interest as the real table. Kind of like keeping two sets of books for your business.
We shouldn't give up on the FFA just yet either. Their reasons for not allowing the 'Nix a youth team are spurious at best when you consider everything else we are currently contributing. And for goodness sake, is Aussie and Asian football in such a crisis that if the 'Nix have a youth team over there NZ is suddenly going to emerge as a world power? Hardly. It's just about being able to compete in the A-League on an equal footing.
That said, if it's just not going to happen next season then we have to find a local solution. Competing in the NZFC for points would be best but the idea above is still better than nothing.
Heaven's above! I just about fell out my chair. Then Dougie Rydal followed up with more positive words and I did. You better watch out guys, Control won't like it.
The friendly idea each week would get over all the legal/contractual difficulties of a professional Nix reserve team in the amateur NZFC by simply bypassing them. The players are still going to be trying their hardest to impress Ricki, I can't see them not trying. I think the NZFC clubs would enjoy testing themselves against a successful A League club, as long as there are no points involved. And South Auckland can enter the NZFC without the odd man out of one club not playing each week.
To me this is simple, doesn't seem to breach Fifa, FFA or AFC rules and the Phoenix reserves get regular game time against reasonable opposition. Playing the games as curtain raisers for Nix home games sounds good. I also think Newtown Park is a good venue. I'm sure hundreds of Nix supporters would turn out. The game against TW would be a mini-hit. Likewise ACFC I think.
I read an article and Che Bunce was commenting that the auckland teams do so well because they are playing week in week out with o-league etc and perhaps they are better for it. So perhaps the nix team could just play all the other teams in the league so its more even.
I still like my idea of keeping the nix yoof in the nzfc up untill the finals
magic exemption ruling go!
I still like my idea of keeping the nix yoof in the nzfc up untill the finals
magic exemption ruling go!
Why, because I refuse to just accept your ill-informed views as the gospel ?
If you had bothered reading the history of these plans instead of wading in 12 months later you would know that the Phoenix have made it clear that the plans for an NZFC (or an Australian NYL) side are for an 8 to 9 man youth team, probably an academy tied to a local school. The rest of the squad would be made up of the players in the first team squad not getting game time, which would also quite likely include another 3 players Under-21 each week.
They also stated clearly that they will not approach any youngsters currently with any NZFC sides so they can't be accused of picking the eyes out of other clubs.
As for players, you've listed those this season. Corrales ? Other Auckland fans on here are 100% certain Barron has been approached and turned City down. Plenty of history between City and Waitak as well.
I'll leave the funding the league thing because that's been covered dozens of times before but you've ignored the responses every other time they have been posted so I'm not going to waste my time trying again.
If you had bothered reading the history of these plans instead of wading in 12 months later you would know that the Phoenix have made it clear that the plans for an NZFC (or an Australian NYL) side are for an 8 to 9 man youth team, probably an academy tied to a local school. The rest of the squad would be made up of the players in the first team squad not getting game time, which would also quite likely include another 3 players Under-21 each week.
They also stated clearly that they will not approach any youngsters currently with any NZFC sides so they can't be accused of picking the eyes out of other clubs.
As for players, you've listed those this season. Corrales ? Other Auckland fans on here are 100% certain Barron has been approached and turned City down. Plenty of history between City and Waitak as well.
I'll leave the funding the league thing because that's been covered dozens of times before but you've ignored the responses every other time they have been posted so I'm not going to waste my time trying again.
Calm down, I'm not claiming I'm preaching the gospel. I'm trying to get a handle on a very complex issue, like a lot of others contributing.
So a Phoenix 'reserve' team would have half a dozen first squad players not getting game time, two or three Under21 players and 8 or 9 academy players. My question was are the only ones getting paid full professional wages the first squad players? Are these academy players on professional wages also? Where are the Under21 players going to come from? Other NZFC youth squads?
If you keep insisting this Nix reserve team, whatever its makeup, has to be in the NZFC points table or it won't work. I simply don't think other NZFC clubs will go along. And what is the point, when they can't win the actual NZFC, compete in the O League or go to the CWC. In fact they'd just be playing friendlies in reality with the bragging rights of being able to point at the table and say "we're top".
Why not take all those issues out of it and simply play not-so-friendlies. I'm sure YF would keep everyone informed of the unofficial table.
I'm not really up to play on the domestic football front. Is the NZFC definitely expanding by only one team?
This friendly proposition isn't ideal, not by any means, but it isn't a bad idea. Youngheart, TW, and HB (possibly) wouldn't be too bad distance-wise, but the rest of the teams would be a bit more difficult. Hopefully NZF would help fund it if they considered it feasible.
What I see as a potential issue is would the FFA allow it? The Phoenix would not have a NYL squad, but with the 14 extra players (which, roughly, would be the numbers we'd need for a second squad) we'd effectively have a 37 man squad. 37 men for one team. FFA would see our reasons, I'm sure (I mean it's blindingly obvious) but still, would they allow it? Considering the friendly's would have nothing to do with the A-League at all.
This friendly proposition isn't ideal, not by any means, but it isn't a bad idea. Youngheart, TW, and HB (possibly) wouldn't be too bad distance-wise, but the rest of the teams would be a bit more difficult. Hopefully NZF would help fund it if they considered it feasible.
What I see as a potential issue is would the FFA allow it? The Phoenix would not have a NYL squad, but with the 14 extra players (which, roughly, would be the numbers we'd need for a second squad) we'd effectively have a 37 man squad. 37 men for one team. FFA would see our reasons, I'm sure (I mean it's blindingly obvious) but still, would they allow it? Considering the friendly's would have nothing to do with the A-League at all.
That's a good point. if they're only 'friendlies' would that mean the Nix wouldn't need FFA permission? On what grounds could they object? I could see grounds if the Nix reserves were a full member of the NZFC.
The Phoenix, like every other A-League side would still need to name a 23 man squad including 3 U-21 players with room for both a youth and senior marquee, and should they want, a guest player.
Academy players promoted would be injury cover or the like, exactly like the Aus clubs.
The FFA wouldn't care less.
Academy players promoted would be injury cover or the like, exactly like the Aus clubs.
The FFA wouldn't care less.
Id still rather push for more and not just resort to the cop out option.
Priority:
1) NYL in aussie so we are on equal footing with the rest of the A League
2) Competitive NZFC games that will actually mean something to the team we are playing
3) Friendly games vs whichever NZFC opposition has the bye that week,and always away from home (except vs TW)
One last reply, even though HN keeps banging on I never reply to anyone.
1 The best and right option, make the FFA give you the same rights as the other A league teams, you've earned it. That has always been my position. You've earned a lot of financial clout this season, use it!
2 If that won't happen next season organise the 'friendly' option as a stop-gap till it does.
3 Forget about becoming a team in the NZFC, it won't happen.
Not what I said, what I said is you don't read people's replies to you... and I guess you kind of just proved me right.
Even if the phoenix did sign up the best players from the NZFC (which they wouldnt,itd be a youth side first and foremost) but if they did...Isnt that what youve always been saying you wanted? The phoenix to sign players from the NZFC onto pro contracts and then have a look in to the nix first team?
You seem to be contradicting yourself a lot.
Not what I said, what I said is you don't read people's replies to you... and I guess you kind of just proved me right.
News you know I love you but pull your head in.
Bluemagic is being pretty reasonable these days and you're starting to sound like the extremist.
Me.
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Hard News2010-03-04 10:30:21
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Hard News2010-03-04 10:30:21
Id still rather push for more and not just resort to the cop out option.
Priority:
1) NYL in aussie so we are on equal footing with the rest of the A League
2) Competitive NZFC games that will actually mean something to the team we are playing
3) Friendly games vs whichever NZFC opposition has the bye that week,and always away from home (except vs TW)
One last reply, even though HN keeps banging on I never reply to anyone.
1 The best and right option, make the FFA give you the same rights as the other A league teams, you've earned it. That has always been my position. You've earned a lot of financial clout this season, use it!
2 If that won't happen next season organise the 'friendly' option as a stop-gap till it does.
3 Forget about becoming a team in the NZFC, it won't happen.
I wouldn't be too certain. There are certainly lots of hurdles, but it could still eventuate.
Interestingly the NCAA have a rule variation (2009-22 if you're a nerd) that is due to come into force on August 1st of this year that would allow players who have left high school to spend a year playing professional football and not lose their eligibility to play College football in an NCAA programme.
It would, however, add a pretty harsh stand down provision that would mean you could go and play College football only after spending a year off just studying and not playing. You could train, but not compete, with your College.
Me.
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Hmm, I need a greater territory - my red mist cannot be contained within the Wellington region.
How about you get ACFC fans and I get rest of world?
Sounds like a 50/50 split...
Can we share Australia ?
What about Waitakere fans ? Oh, hang on... (put that one in there for the City boys).
What about Waitakere fans ? Oh, hang on... (put that one in there for the City boys).
The friendly idea each week would get over all the legal/contractual difficulties of a professional Nix reserve team in the amateur NZFC by simply bypassing them. The players are still going to be trying their hardest to impress Ricki, I can't see them not trying. I think the NZFC clubs�would enjoy testing themselves against a successful A League club, as long as there are no points involved. And South Auckland can enter the NZFC without the�odd man out�of one club not playing each week.
�
To me this is simple, doesn't seem to breach Fifa, FFA or AFC rules and the Phoenix reserves get regular game time against reasonable opposition. Playing the games as curtain raisers for Nix home games sounds good. I also think Newtown Park is a good venue. I'm sure hundreds of Nix supporters would turn out. The game against TW would be a mini-hit. Likewise ACFC I think.
Holy sh*t, I actually agree with BlueMagic.
The friendly idea each week would get over all the legal/contractual difficulties of a professional Nix reserve team in the amateur NZFC by simply bypassing them. The players are still going to be trying their hardest to impress Ricki, I can't see them not trying. I think the NZFC clubs would enjoy testing themselves against a successful A League club, as long as there are no points involved. And South Auckland can enter the NZFC without the odd man out of one club not playing each week.
To me this is simple, doesn't seem to breach Fifa, FFA or AFC rules and the Phoenix reserves get regular game time against reasonable opposition. Playing the games as curtain raisers for Nix home games sounds good. I also think Newtown Park is a good venue. I'm sure hundreds of Nix supporters would turn out. The game against TW would be a mini-hit. Likewise ACFC I think.
Holy sh*t, I actually agree with BlueMagic.
Bloody hell! Smithy says I'm being reasonable and now this! Now I'm getting worried.
I just had another thought. Even if South Auckland don't join, two NZFC teams play in the O League each season, that's eight games two NZFC sides play with Island O-League teams. When they're happening why can't the Phoenix reserves/youth team play the NZFC teams not having a game that week because of this. Then the top two teams could slot in friendlies against the Nix when their O-league commitments are over. That means eight to ten friendlies a season. Better than nothing.
Me.
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Needs some demarcation. You red mist your way through the capital and I'll red mist the turncoats and revisionists. Sound doable ?
Does this mean I'm lumped with the 'turncoats' and 'revisionists'? What about imperialist lackeys? I'd prefer that.
Even if the phoenix did sign up the best players from the NZFC (which they wouldnt,itd be a youth side first and foremost) but if they did...Isnt that what youve always been saying you wanted? The phoenix to sign players from the NZFC onto pro contracts and then have a look in to the nix first team?
You seem to be contradicting yourself a lot.
You got me there Tegal! It is a contradiction. I don't want all the best NZFC playing in a Nix team in the NZFC on professional contracts because that would weaken the other NZFC teams. But I do want a pathway for our best amateur players into professional contracts if they're good enough. It would be a matter of keeping it reasonable, I guess.
If the Nix reserves did play friendlies each week against NZFC teams then one option would be for NZFC guest players to fill out the Nix reserve team. They're only paid expenses so don't breach their amateur status but Ricki could get a look at them without the NZFC losing them
for important games, unless the Phoenix offer a full contract. That would probably only happen to two or three anyway each season.
Based on Coombes's effort tonight he won't be one of them ;-)
still think we should get them to put Mr T. Smith on the plane back to NZ and when he gets here tell them his name is David Mulligan.
The Jets won't know what Mulligan looks like. They've probably have never seen him.
The Jets won't know what Mulligan looks like. They've probably have never seen him.
still think we should get them to put Mr T. Smith on the plane back to NZ and when he gets here tell them his name is David Mulligan.The Jets won't know what Mulligan looks like. They've probably have never seen him.
