No disrespect to the christchurch faithfull, i know they will be looking forward to the opportunity to get amongst the phoenix if they go to christchurch, and it will undoubtedly be a good pr stunt and help get some more fans down there but from a playing/preparation point of view what are the benifits?
Playing against select 11's down there are hardly going to provide the kind of competition that we need to mount a serious challenge on the top 4 nor really extend the players or team. If you look at CCM they are playing some top NSW premier league teams as is the Jets, surely going to australia and trying to get some fixtures with Vic or NSW prem leagues would be a better option and also provide opportunities to maybe pick up some players along the way? Could also be a practice run at away games and getting match prep away from home down pat before the season starts?
I know the china tour being cancled was out of our control, but there must be money available for some sort of tour so why arnt we setting our sites a bit higher and looking for tougher games?
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The tour to China was going to be paid for by other parties in China itself, not us - so we don't just have funds lying around.
a.haak
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I am heavily biased in favour of the tour of Christchurch because I live there. I think it would be good for people around the country to see our only pro football team. Develop our nationwide fanbase. Some of the people may well come up to Wellington to see a few games because of this.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
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Except that most of the NZFC side have taken off to other clubs or out of the country.
As for going to Aus, the NZ U20/U23 sides and a full strength regional selection here isn't going to be any weaker than a midweek game against a NSWPL or VPL side who are more concerned about a weekend competition fixture than a friendly against an A-League side.
Also, why would a camp and 'away' conditions be any different in Christchurch than in Sydney, apart from shorter flights and a chance to promote the club and the league in a market where the Phoenix will sell ?
As for going to Aus, the NZ U20/U23 sides and a full strength regional selection here isn't going to be any weaker than a midweek game against a NSWPL or VPL side who are more concerned about a weekend competition fixture than a friendly against an A-League side.
Also, why would a camp and 'away' conditions be any different in Christchurch than in Sydney, apart from shorter flights and a chance to promote the club and the league in a market where the Phoenix will sell ?
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Agrred it'll be good for the fan base and for football in Chch but level of competition must be a worry - bottom two teams in the NZFC are based in the South Is so standard can't be great.
I heard that Perth were going to be involved in the China tournament as well - so what are they doing?
Also to follow Kilted Kiwi's argument - what about Woolongong, Canberra, Townsville and Gold Coast - all gagging for an A League franchise and have pretty strong local comps - let's go there - hell we may even end up with a Yellow Fever Aussie chapter!
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
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I am heavily biased in favour of the tour of Christchurch because I live there. I think it would be good for people around the country to see our only pro football team. Develop our nationwide fanbase. Some of the people may well come up to Wellington to see a few games because of this.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
I'm sure I've said this before but aren't we the Wellington Phoenix?
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I'm aware of that, but theres nothing wrong with extending a fanbase is there?
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So what?
We are the only NZ team in an aussie competition.
And if there is one thing 99% of NZers like it's to beat australians - something the 'nix are trying to do.
As a Cantabrian I consider the Wellington Phoenix my team, I don't expect to have them to come here, especially not for season fixtures. Infact I plan to fly to every game, and for me the fact that it's in another city will be part of the fun.
However, lets face it, NZ is largely an untaped market. We have Just under 4 million people (when you take out Wellington) who are not being marketed to, so imagine the possibilities if the 'nix went away on preseason camps like this.
We are the only NZ team in an aussie competition.
And if there is one thing 99% of NZers like it's to beat australians - something the 'nix are trying to do.
As a Cantabrian I consider the Wellington Phoenix my team, I don't expect to have them to come here, especially not for season fixtures. Infact I plan to fly to every game, and for me the fact that it's in another city will be part of the fun.
However, lets face it, NZ is largely an untaped market. We have Just under 4 million people (when you take out Wellington) who are not being marketed to, so imagine the possibilities if the 'nix went away on preseason camps like this.
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I am heavily biased in favour of the tour of Christchurch because I live there. I think it would be good for people around the country to see our only pro football team. Develop our nationwide fanbase. Some of the people may well come up to Wellington to see a few games because of this.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
To make this more worthwhile though, they should at least play an NZFC team in Christchurch.
I'm sure I've said this before but aren't we the Wellington Phoenix?
Bugger... so I was s'posed to be supporting the Roar when I was over there????
E + R + O
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Pleased to see them going to Chrischurch. Being away in camp is good for team building. but I do worry about not getting tough opposition. Shame they could'nt play a couple of games against the Oly-Whites down there. I saw on TV3 tonight that Nelson is back in ChCh. Get him involved.
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Are we doing a Yellow Fever pre-season trip to Chch then boys......
Who are yah...!!!???
Who are yah...!!!???
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Here's a reason not to go chch - it's farken cold down there in the middle of winter. ~ 50 deg colder than Brisbane
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There is a lot of value in going to Chch if you're a rapist or a murderer, you'll not be alone.
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pure genius - do the clever thing and empty your inbox
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There is a lot of value in going to Chch if you're a rapist or a murderer, you'll not be alone.
Oi... NO !
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Wilso....get back in your box.....
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Wondered how long it would take for the 'aren't we the Wellington Phoenix' call to be made. No suprise it was DLB.
There seemed to be no problem with the Phoenix going to China, let's just let us Mainlanders have a little fun with the team plenty of us cheered on to the heady heights of last in the A-League.
Good night out last time, let's hope the next one actually gets some promotion this time!
p.s. Wilso is right!
I let my guitar speak for me
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i think some of you missed the mark a little with this one, i never questioned the value in going to christchurch in regards to promoting the club and growing the fan base and giving the southners a taste of the phoenix - that is all positive. My concerns were more related to the level of competition, the away travel (dealing with different climate as well as the travel stil alot warmer in aus than nz at the moment), match prep and ofcourse the opportunity to maybe spot some players. I dont believe there will be any value with the training / perfromance development side of the trip - from a pr point of view it is fantastic but a winning team dosnt need to do pr stunts as they cause their own media attention, is going to christchurch going to help us become a winning team or is it just going to create warm fuzzies with a few more fans who if we start losin wil disappear anyway?
We all want a top 4 side this year and have big expectations - thats why i questioned whether going south was the right move for a pre season camp for a team that is building expecttion and needing good pre season competition.
However as Vaelo said if theres no money then maybe its the best we could do,
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Nothing against Chch or South Island football but surely the better teams and by default players are in Wellington and Auckland - the top 3 of the NZFC.
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
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There is a lot of value in going to Chch if you're a rapist or a murderer, you'll not be alone.
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Wondered how long it would take for the 'aren't we the Wellington Phoenix' call to be made. No suprise it was DLB.
There seemed to be no problem with the Phoenix going to China, let's just let us Mainlanders have a little fun with the team plenty of us cheered on to the heady heights of last in the A-League.
Good night out last time, let's hope the next one actually gets some promotion this time!
p.s. Wilso is right!
I think it's a great idea to build a support around the country, that way when they take the "home" league matches on the road next season, people may be interested in watching.
Mark my words.
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I'd be keen on a YF trip down if the matches were on a Friday or Saturday night ...
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Here's a reason not to go chch - it's farken cold down there in the middle of winter. ~ 50 deg colder than Brisbane
harden up!
nothing wrong with coming down here, means more time for RH to talent scout
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but from a playing/preparation point of view what are the benifits?
Playing against select 11's down there are hardly going to provide the kind of competition that we need to mount a serious challenge on the top 4 nor really extend the players or team. If you look at CCM they are playing some top NSW premier league teams as is the Jets,
Correction- no A-League team has played a NSWPL or VPL team yet.
The Jets played Budgewoi, who aren't NSWPL, but a local Newcastle team.The Mariners played the Spirit and Lightning, two NSW State League (the level below NSWPL) teams. They have games against some Queensland State League teams planned (again, a lower level than NSWPL). The Roar have also been playing QSL teams, and a Gold Coast Select 11. These games have been mostly 6-0, 5-1 etc victories.
So I think the christchurch trip is very good preparation...
The goal is not for a challenge, but rather to get combinations going, increase confidence, match fitness etc. If you want a challenge a little later on offer a friendly to Waitakere as warm up for the Club World Cup.
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