I'd keep the Teal & the Red kit. A new "Home" kit only is required. Someone on here did a mock up of the teal kit in yellow & black and it looked absolutely stunning. It would probably sell out very quickly.
Yep, new kits. Would expect them to be released in September some time I think. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I remember Domey saying last year that they knew they missed the mark a bit and that they were trying to go for a PSG look but it didn't quite come off. He said they were already in the process of coming up with this seasons kit, so hopefully its another ambitious and original concept but executed better
Looking like best option is to hold the whole league in NZ!
So, what are the best six stadiums in NZ, and which two teams would each of them host? (Obviously Phoenix and WU in Wgtn...)
North Harbour Mt Smart Waikato Forsyth Barr Sky Stadium Christchurch
Though if it were to happen, i would have a hub in Auckland and 1 in Wellington. Play games across North Harbour, Eden Park (Nix Only), Mt Smart, Waikato and Sky Stadium / maybe Palmy or New Plymouth as well. Save a lot on costs.
Yep, new kits. Would expect them to be released in September some time I think. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I remember Domey saying last year that they knew they missed the mark a bit and that they were trying to go for a PSG look but it didn't quite come off. He said they were already in the process of coming up with this seasons kit, so hopefully its another ambitious and original concept but executed better
Yep, new kits. Would expect them to be released in September some time I think. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I remember Domey saying last year that they knew they missed the mark a bit and that they were trying to go for a PSG look but it didn't quite come off. He said they were already in the process of coming up with this seasons kit, so hopefully its another ambitious and original concept but executed better
AUGUST 4 2021, 9:40 AM | BY RICKI GREEN | Following a competitive pitch, Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has appointed R/GA Australia as its lead agency partner.
APL, formed in 2021, is responsible for the operation, commercialisation and marketing of professional football in Australia, including the A-League, W-League, Y-League and e-League. R/GA will work closely with APL to help them realise their fan engagement and growth ambitions as they set their sights on re-energising the Australian game.
Says Michael Titshall, VP and managing director, R/GA Australia: “We are thrilled to be working with APL. They have the most exciting sports product in the country with unlimited potential. We can’t wait to help them realise that potential by re-inventing the professional football brand and experience in Australia.
”After conducting a thorough tender process, involving agencies in both Australia and the UK, Rob Nolan, director marketing and data, APL: “We have an ambitious vision, and R/GA are the perfect partner to help us realise it. Football in Australia has unbelievable potential, and we need the right people on the journey to unleash that potential and deliver the future the game deserves.
”Says Ben Miles, ECD, brand design and consulting, R/GA APAC: “From the outset it was clear that APL had big ambitions for the future. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them as they look to innovate by bringing together brand, experience, technology and marketing. We’re ready to push go and reimagine football in Australia.”
APL joins a roster of R/GA Australia clients, which includes Australian Ethical, Google, Uber, Nike, Kimberly-Clark, Toyota, Slack, among others.
I'm guessing given Sydney's incompetence, we won't be having a bubble any time soon. Nix are going to have base them out in Oz again, aren't they?
Serious question from a long time fan: how long can we expect the Nix owners to continue forking out money to keep the team alive if they face more seasons like the last one? Is there a cut off point?
At the risk of making this a Covid thread, yipe I'd say a early season relocation to a non NSW state, highly likely.
Sydney looks likely to be in lockdown until late Oct-sometime Nov. Won't come out of lockdown now until hit 70% double jab vaccination threshold, which based on current jab rates is early Nov. It's curious how humans just get conditioned to circumstances. 300 new cases a day is the norm now in Sydney, just like 2,000 virus deaths a day was once the norm in USA. So I'd say by next winter we will just get conditioned to a few hundred Covid deaths a year.
Melbourne has just extended their current lockdown. QLD out of lockdown, but some selfish Covid denying (refused to tap in anywhere or wear a mask) fudgewit, has bought Delta to Byron Bay near NSW/QLD border. Another outbreak in SE QLD wouldn't surprise.
Delta is proving to be very very transmissible. Whole herd immunity idea may end a myth with Delta, as no matter if even 98% of folks are vaccinated seems the virus will still find that other 2%. And even if you are double jabbed still small chance you could get the virus and pass onto someone else, as I think happened with the ship's pilot in Cairns (got virus off ship that previously docked at Tauranga) who then gave Covid to a local taxi driver. But seems no one else in Cairns got the virus. Out of 3 day lockdown there already.
Plus based on current jab rates here, having 80% of the adult popn vaccinated sometime December is pretty likely. A few weeks back I read that 77% of Australians were prepared to get vaccinated. I think that % will increase as folks see the vaccine is only way out. 70 odd people are now in ICU in Sydney, something like 65 are unvaccinated, and 5 with just one jab.
I'd say NZ will at least discuss opening the TT bubble from November onwards, likely only for double vaccinated passengers. But Delta appears much worse than previous strains.
I'd guess an early season A League hub in WA & SA. Even Tassie. Maybe QLD. Nix returning to NZ anytime from December onwards. But it's going to completely depend on how Jacinda & co see the TT bubble. There is a way out of this, just a few months later than October 30th.
I'm guessing given Sydney's incompetence, we won't be having a bubble any time soon. Nix are going to have base them out in Oz again, aren't they?
Serious question from a long time fan: how long can we expect the Nix owners to continue forking out money to keep the team alive if they face more seasons like the last one? Is there a cut off point?
Dome has already said it will be a tough decision to make if they need to relocate to Aus for the full season again. Reckon there will be some serious discussions happening.
Government just announced quarantine free travel to low risk countries for vaccinated kiwis starting Q1 next year and for vaccinations to be open to everyone from Sept 1. With both countries aiming for herd immunity by the end of the year I wouldn't be so pessimistic.
I'd be surprised if we're any stricter than Australian states and the border with NSW.
Hopefully, the A-League postpones the start of the season because the issues we face will be faced for all non NSW teams (to an admittedly lesser degree).
Government just announced quarantine free travel to low risk countries for vaccinated kiwis starting Q1 next year and for vaccinations to be open to everyone from Sept 1. With both countries aiming for herd immunity by the end of the year I wouldn't be so pessimistic.
I'd be surprised if we're any stricter than Australian states and the border with NSW.
Hopefully, the A-League postpones the start of the season because the issues we face will be faced for all non NSW teams (to an admittedly lesser degree).
A League season start won't be postponed. NSW teams will just be relocated to start the season. Or play each other for first few weeks sans crowds.
Other codes like AFL and NRL have shown the way by spending much of this season, moving teams out of lockdown states to keep the rounds going.
But whole herd immunity concept is being challenged by Delta. Seems even a small % of unvaccinated people in a popn will still be found by the virus. It's next level transmissible. But that's not reason enough to stay in lockdown when 80% plus of the popn are double vaccinated.
Edit - 256,000 vaccines done yesterday in Australia. And Sydney could have 70% of it's adult popn double vaccinated by mid Sept. TV news today.
As much as I'm looking forward to the new season, delaying the start would certainly make sense for overall operation costs of teams if they had to start in a hub. Alternatively can the Nix play a whole bunch of away games to start the season, and base themselves somewhere over there until borders are operating again. Perth did similar last year. But so much uncertainty really feel for Dome and crew. Also must now be a big question mark on a Nix W league team. Sounds like they had pretty much organised for a Woolongong base if this team went ahead. That is looking unfavourable now. Although maybe being based in Aus makes thing simpler. Again feel for Dome and crew trying to figure all this out.
Government just announced quarantine free travel to low risk countries for vaccinated kiwis starting Q1 next year and for vaccinations to be open to everyone from Sept 1. With both countries aiming for herd immunity by the end of the year I wouldn't be so pessimistic.
I'd be surprised if we're any stricter than Australian states and the border with NSW.
Hopefully, the A-League postpones the start of the season because the issues we face will be faced for all non NSW teams (to an admittedly lesser degree).
A League season start won't be postponed. NSW teams will just be relocated to start the season. Or play each other for first few weeks sans crowds.
Other codes like AFL and NRL have shown the way by spending much of this season, moving teams out of lockdown states to keep the rounds going.
But whole herd immunity concept is being challenged by Delta. Seems even a small % of unvaccinated people in a popn will still be found by the virus. It's next level transmissible. But that's not reason enough to stay in lockdown when 80% plus of the popn are double vaccinated.
It's about risk management, they've talked about treating covid like how we treat Measles. So, vaccinate because that reduces the spread and reduces the severity, then isolate when people have it. Augment that by testing at the border and only accepting vaccinated people from low risk countries.
After coming from Sydney lockdowns and then doing 2 weeks quarantine. At least Uffie managed to get in 2 days of pre season before delta lockdowns hit NZ.
Sydney locked down until end of Sept. Even if they manage to come out of lockdown then, those Sydney teams won't have had any pre season.
Looks to me like all the Sydney teams are well into preseason training. Correct me if I'm wrong. I believe in NSW lockdown, if you can't work from home it's ok to go into work. Guess that applies to sports teams?
Sydney locked down until end of Sept. Even if they manage to come out of lockdown then, those Sydney teams won't have had any pre season.
Looks to me like all the Sydney teams are well into preseason training. Correct me if I'm wrong. I believe in NSW lockdown, if you can't work from home it's ok to go into work. Guess that applies to sports teams?
No only essential workers can leave the home for work, though that was extended to tradies/construction workers if they were vaccinated.
But yes I imagine pro sports teams have some sort of exemption, if they train within certain restrictions. They certainly won't be able to train after 9pm at night now. Martial law at night now.
While A-League bosses hope the situation in NSW will have improved enough to at least let the local teams play against each other for a period by the time the season starts, the prospect of temporarily relocating teams for a hub looms large. [AAP]https://t.co/N1FUMbC59l
Based on that 4pm press conference it's looking pretty dire for the A-League until both countries are vaccinated.
AFL & NRL (solely based QLD) seasons continue.
4 AFL playoff matches this week, with 2 in Tassie and 2 in Adelaide. All with crowds. SA, WA & QLD all bidding to host the AFL grand final. If ABs go to Perth to play Wallabies they will likely play in front of 60,000.
Here in SE QLD is definitely risk of future Covid outbreaks having such a big QLD-NSW border community. If not Brisbane will host the NRL GF.
Most low risk option for A League would be to start season with hub spread over WA, SA & Tassie. Nix plus VIC & NSW teams having to relocate. Maybe keeping just Roar in QLD, and flying in whoever are their opponents for home games.
I guess delayed season start is another option, but Paramount may not be keen on that at all.
So Wellington will go under if they have to play in another hub again? APL are already holding up the Jets so i doubt there is any thing left in their pockets to keep Nix a float. Maybe that's why the signing so far have been poor because they have no other option but to remain cheap and do as little spending as possible to survive. We even have players refusing to go back to NZ. I don't think we will be spoon bound but def not top 6 this season.
So Wellington will go under if they have to play in another hub again? APL are already holding up the Jets so i doubt there is any thing left in their pockets to keep Nix a float. Maybe that's why the signing so far have been poor because they have no other option but to remain cheap and do as little spending as possible to survive. We even have players refusing to go back to NZ. I don't think we will be spoon bound but def not top 6 this season.
good grief! the off season is long enough without this bollocks.
So Wellington will go under if they have to play in another hub again? APL are already holding up the Jets so i doubt there is any thing left in their pockets to keep Nix a float. Maybe that's why the signing so far have been poor because they have no other option but to remain cheap and do as little spending as possible to survive. We even have players refusing to go back to NZ. I don't think we will be spoon bound but def not top 6 this season.
good grief! the off season is long enough without this bollocks.
It’s bait for responses but it would be naive to think if the likely scenario that they are based again in Australia that it wouldn’t affect finances, they shouldn’t be spending money they don’t have and this could well mean they have less to offer players
Oh I totally get that the club will suffer financially if we are based in Aus again this season - I'd expect it will be likely for at least the first part anyway. Dome has said in interviews that the club would struggle to survive another full season with no home games so I'm under no impression that our finances are tight. I just find the unnecessarily negative comments from a few really frustrating.
Oh I totally get that the club will suffer financially if we are based in Aus again this season - I'd expect it will be likely for at least the first part anyway. Dome has said in interviews that the club would struggle to survive another full season with no home games so I'm under no impression that our finances are tight. I just find the unnecessarily negative comments from a few really frustrating.
On the bright side of things, Davila and Hemed who were our highest paid players, are gone. So there's more cash to spend in terms of recruitment. A good new looking kit should boost sales for the Phoenix. But, the kit actually has to look good.
I'd keep the Teal & the Red kit. A new "Home" kit only is required. Someone on here did a mock up of the teal kit in yellow & black and it looked absolutely stunning. It would probably sell out very quickly.
Would much rather have this as our home kit than the ones we had for 2020/21 season. Something similar to our first season kit.