I have compassion for Bev Ballane, and as I said, what she did wasn't unforgiveable. But to say it is no big deal is crazy. Apologies for not mincing my words on the internet, to all the sensitive people out there
“This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women’s team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women’s academy programme, we have doubled our investment in the women’s first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players.
Surely making finals (first time for the ALW side) is bare minimum. It would be very very awkward for Dome & Welnix, if the team now didn't make the top 6, given the coach and squad assembled. Even trickier with her wife a Nix employee.
So yes some pressure on Priestman to make it all work.
We can't sing "same old Aussies, always cheating" if we are prepared to hire one. I would rather have a worse coach who wasn't a cheat. I don't think her career should be over, but she shouldn't be re-starting it in the country she cheated against. She didn't even apologise in the press conference; just brushed it all off claiming it's in the past. A bit disappointing none of the questions were "would you use drones again?" or "would you cheat again?" That said I will still support the women's team; you can't shun a whole team because of the actions of one individual.
After one of the last games at Porirua last season, Amy Shepherd came in for a drink at the Sandbar Mana. I had a Phoenix shirt on , and a scarf, but she didnt show any interest in acknowledging me.
I knew who she was, and she had a black Phoenix bag under the table.
She was with a small woman with short, upswept hair. I didnt know who it was.
As I alluded to before, it seems pretty clear to me that Bev didn't institute the drone practice, she just didn't rock the boat and didn't confront the issue and stamp it out, when she probably could have before they got caught doing it. She was a gold medal winning coach, she'd have had the influence and the mana to do it.
Not ideal but for me it is much more forgiveable than doing what Herdman did. Herdman really showed his true colours with that and also with the way he very blatantly and transparently strung NZF along to leverage a better contract out of Canada (though that is also on NZF for being so naiive). I certainly wouldn't welcome him to the Nix or NZ Football again.
It sort of goes against the no dickhead policy the club apparently stand by.
That’s assuming it applies to coaches and not just players
And also assuming that they consider cheating is a true dickhead play
Thats a bit of a stretch not every one who makes a mistske has to automatically become a dickhead. Not sure why some are playing the holier than though card. You sure cant say the use of the drone was the reason we lost.
Is a drone really any worse than a player throwing themselves to floor to win a free kick or get someone a card. Thats cheating you cant call out one and make up some BS excuse for the other.
Your kidding if you dont think Bevs demenour in the interview showed regret. Perfectly understandable why she never elaborated when she seems to have taken the blame for others as well. Not sure why some on here feel they need an apology from her.
We can't sing "same old Aussies, always cheating" if we are prepared to hire one. I would rather have a worse coach who wasn't a cheat. I don't think her career should be over, but she shouldn't be re-starting it in the country she cheated against. She didn't even apologise in the press conference; just brushed it all off claiming it's in the past. A bit disappointing none of the questions were "would you use drones again?" or "would you cheat again?" That said I will still support the women's team; you can't shun a whole team because of the actions of one individual.
The Nix use a drone at their own practices. It's a new world out there, embracing technology to assist. Get used to it. It's not like she did sports betting for God's sake.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
It sort of goes against the no dickhead policy the club apparently stand by.
That’s assuming it applies to coaches and not just players
And also assuming that they consider cheating is a true dickhead play
Thats a bit of a stretch not every one who makes a mistske has to automatically become a dickhead. Not sure why some are playing the holier than though card. You sure cant say the use of the drone was the reason we lost.
Is a drone really any worse than a player throwing themselves to floor to win a free kick or get someone a card. Thats cheating you cant call out one and make up some BS excuse for the other.
Your kidding if you dont think Bevs demenour in the interview showed regret. Perfectly understandable why she never elaborated when she seems to have taken the blame for others as well. Not sure why some on here feel they need an apology from her.
Agreed. She was clearly remorseful and half the interview was drone questions, she has served her time and should be able to move on now. Sounds like a few of you are perfect and never made a mistake in your lives, it's how you learn to be a better person. If the ferns players at the Nix can forgive her then we should too
ballaneBananasBraveheartGordinho+4LT01, martinb, Simon B, sneakyrat
8 months ago
The Nix have absolutely lucked out here - with Priestman's connection to Wellington via her wife, and the drone debacle forcing her to perhaps take a lower profile job than she'd be used to. The stars have aligned, and kudos to the Nix backroom for capitalising. Has to be the best coach signing in ALW history!
ballaneBananasBraveheartGordinho+3LT01, queenofthequail, Simon B
8 months ago
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
A lot of people saying you've done the crime, but you've done your time so apparently that makes it OK. But it's not just serving a sentence; the offender should be realising why it was wrong, and Priestman didn't commit to better behaviour in the future in that press conference.
Cheating on the field is one thing; games(wo)manship is expected. Both teams are trying hard to win. People do stuff in the heat of the moment that they wouldn't do if they'd had time to think about it first.
But spying on an opponent is a calculated decision to gain an unfair advantage, that a number of people in the Canadian camp would have known about with plenty of opportunities to speak up and reconsider.
Priestman not doing that reflects badly on her character, and she doesn't appear to have realised why in the past year.
I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorryFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished
FFS Talk about an over reaction "Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry" Certainly hope neither you or any of your family ever make a mistake that requires some level of compassion or forgiveness. Pretty obvious from her press conference it has affected her deeply. Your kidding if you think it has had any lasting affect on any of the Kiwis involvedFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
I dont often disagree with you my man, but on "drone-gate" you're way off. This was an intentional breach of the rules, she and her team cheated! Pure and simple. There was no mistake! It was totally planned and proven to be something they'd done before. Dont get me wrong, I'm happy she's here and with us, because, despite a slightly questionable moral compass she's a brilliant coach with the results to back that up! I just hope those results were genuinely gained so our ladies can benefit from her knowledge.
I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorryFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished
FFS Talk about an over reaction "Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry" Certainly hope neither you or any of your family ever make a mistake that requires some level of compassion or forgiveness. Pretty obvious from her press conference it has affected her deeply. Your kidding if you think it has had any lasting affect on any of the Kiwis involvedFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
I dont often disagree with you my man, but on "drone-gate" you're way off. This was an intentional breach of the rules, she and her team cheated! Pure and simple. There was no mistake! It was totally planned and proven to be something they'd done before. Dont get me wrong, I'm happy she's here and with us, because, despite a slightly questionable moral compass she's a brilliant coach with the results to back that up! I just hope those results were genuinely gained so our ladies can benefit from her knowledge.
Yeah i get that but not convinced it was all "her and her team" think thats part of her reluctance to go into much detail. You do wonder who and how many walked away without any sanctions placed on them for their part in it.
I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorryFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished
FFS Talk about an over reaction "Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry" Certainly hope neither you or any of your family ever make a mistake that requires some level of compassion or forgiveness. Pretty obvious from her press conference it has affected her deeply. Your kidding if you think it has had any lasting affect on any of the Kiwis involvedFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
I dont often disagree with you my man, but on "drone-gate" you're way off. This was an intentional breach of the rules, she and her team cheated! Pure and simple. There was no mistake! It was totally planned and proven to be something they'd done before. Dont get me wrong, I'm happy she's here and with us, because, despite a slightly questionable moral compass she's a brilliant coach with the results to back that up! I just hope those results were genuinely gained so our ladies can benefit from her knowledge.
Yeah i get that but not convinced it was all "her and her team" think thats part of her reluctance to go into much detail. You do wonder who and how many walked away without any sanctions placed on them for their part in it.
Whether she was the lead on it or it was the groups idea - they are all still at fault. Either way ban has been served and she is entitled to ply here trade. She probably cant talk about it too much as it's still under investigation in Canada
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
Bielsa did it at Leeds and was seen as a hero of the sport, particularly after his famed powerpoint press conference shortly afterwards.
Priestman does it and is not only seen as a villain, but a cheat who some people seemingly want hung, drawn and quartered.
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
Bielsa did it at Leeds and was seen as a hero of the sport, particularly after his famed powerpoint press conference shortly afterwards.
Priestman does it and is not only seen as a villain, but a cheat who some people seemingly want hung, drawn and quartered.
Narratives and agendas are interesting at times.
World cup specifically bans it! not sure if it was banned by EPL when Leeds were at it.
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
Bielsa did it at Leeds and was seen as a hero of the sport, particularly after his famed powerpoint press conference shortly afterwards.
Priestman does it and is not only seen as a villain, but a cheat who some people seemingly want hung, drawn and quartered.
Narratives and agendas are interesting at times.
World cup specifically bans it! not sure if it was banned by EPL when Leeds were at it.
It was in the Championship and they were fined £200,000 by the EFL for breaching rules.
I’m happy to agree to disagree with people on the degree of moral culpability involved in drone spying, I get why people think it’s bad I just don’t share that view.
But I do still think a few people are missing the fact that our relatively tiny, bottom of the world, never made the finals club has just signed a world class talent as coach. The A-Leagues social media account called it arguably the best credentialed coach in A Leagues history and it’s hard to argue with that. It’s just remarkable, and I suppose that affects my view on how big of a deal her previous misdemeanours were.
Basically confirms there was a wide spread system of spying before she was head coach. Not to suggest that alleviates her actions. But context is always helpful.
ballaneBananasBraveheartcheesecake+7coochiee, kwlap, LG, LT01, mjp2, queenofthequail, Simon B
8 months ago
Think of it as a moral ACL. Usually how we get top quality talent at the Nix.
I think the drone aspect makes it seem worse. If she had someone watch training and take notes it would seem less sophisticated and less egregious.
And I think I’d differentiate between a dickhead and some who did something dumb- as you were saying made a mistake.
A dickhead imo is someone who treats others on their team poorly. Darje was overly harsh and blamed others. Also it can be a hypocrite who, for example, is niggly with late and heavy challenges, but then goes to ground and complains at length if they get a taste of their own medicine.
I’d even put Davila and Lewis in the did something dumb category. Because as far as we know they didn’t harm anyone and were good teammates at the Nix. And it was something really, really, really dumb.
As far as we know about Priestman there’s no complaints about her coaching style or personality. She seems to create a good team environment. And there’s no chance she’d be at the Nix any other way!
I remember the Bielsa case. At the time lots of football people said, off the record, most clubs spy to some degree. Cant we just let this go? She did her punishment. Support her and the team because they are going to have a great season. More importantly GO TO THE GAMES.
ballaneBananasBraveheartLT01+5martinb, queenofthequail, Simon B, Unused sub, WanderingSheep
8 months ago
Fenix
After one of the last games at Porirua last season, Amy Shepherd came in for a drink at the Sandbar Mana. I had a Phoenix shirt on , and a scarf, but she didnt show any interest in acknowledging me.
I knew who she was, and she had a black Phoenix bag under the table.
She was with a small woman with short, upswept hair. I didnt know who it was.
I don't think having people willing to push the boundaries is a bad thing necessarily, as long as you've got checks and balances in place that prevent things going too far.
Canada obviously didn't do that - hopefully we've learned.
She’ll be alright. Her spying was strictly in pursuit of victory, not on a former coworker at a suburban McDonalds restaurant.
unless she calls fans f.uck face from a burner twitter acc she should be good as gold I reckon!
Just to give some context to those who think the drone thing was cool, just a reminder before you get your rocks off, the drone operator got an eight month suspended prison sentence
She paid her price for being involved, case closed, get over it. Good grief. Bevan have you some personal issue with her? I have yet to read anywhere, where she has said she is proud of herself for any involvement in the offense. Let it go. Price paid.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
I'm sure Neville would love to be the first to be told, about any Surman like gems coming through the Nix.
Is the Dudu Rodrigues above, 33 yr old 3 cap Brazilian AM 'Dudu' who now plays for Atlético Mineiro in Brazil? Curious follower of the Nix if so. Perhaps it's just because he knows the new incoming Nix assistant coach. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudu_(footballer,_born_1992)
Genuinely stupid and morally deficient….. sorry mate, I’m calling this out, totally unnecessary personal attack. Withdraw and apologise please.imanixsupporter
I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorryFitzy
Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing.
It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see.
Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished
ballaneBananasdunnixFriar Tuck+2queenofthequail, Simon B
8 months ago
In American sport there are actually rules that make teams send game film to their opponents to be used for scouting the respective opponents and prepare for them. Essentially saying “ you know what we intend to do, now do your best to stop us”. Even in top football there is a requirement to name your lineup by a certain time, part of the reason is so the other teams can prepare.
If you have coached anything seriously you always do your best to scout the opponent. austin111
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
In American sport there are actually rules that make teams send game film to their opponents to be used for scouting the respective opponents and prepare for them. Essentially saying “ you know what we intend to do, now do your best to stop us”. Even in top football there is a requirement to name your lineup by a certain time, part of the reason is so the other teams can prepare.
If you have coached anything seriously you always do your best to scout the opponent. austin111
So people thinks that she a cheat by spying on another club training. OK, so in the history of the Nix no coach has ever asked a contact to have a peep at another side training and report back. Yeah right! She gets my thumbs up for being innovative and modern. Using a drone is way cooler than peeping through a crack in a fence. Way to go Bev!
American sport - perhaps it's allowed, there are certainly rules about providing lineups etc pregame for most sports globally fer sure. Tactics not so much.
FIFA specifically banned the use of drones at the world cup, I dont know if the specifically banned walking im not the training venue and watching or not though. Some teams had open training sessions and some closed.
As for actual state laws against flying drones in particular areas I have no idea - I know they exist but I'm unsure if the incident broke any of them.
Either way, Bev and her team broke FIFA rules, were banned and served their time. Can we move on form the name calling, we all have an opinion on this, but none of them have an impact on the decision to hire the woman, nor will they impact anything ongoing.
Cheers for that - although the Herald still wants me to pay up, maybe that’s retribution for my ad blocker or something.
Actually I've realised I still have a browser extension installed that unblocks Herald articles (thought it had stopped working a while back, but obviously working again!)
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