Unlikely to be 60 additional teams, there were 57 total entries (but only 56 teams listed) in the initial press release. So with 52 or 53 entries remaining, 12 or 11 teams will have byes. Looking at the distribution, I'd say the 8 NRFL sides will have a bye as will 3 or 4 South Island sides. Hopefully this year they pick byes on merit and not by draw.
Unlikely to be 60 additional teams, there were 57 total entries (but only 56 teams listed) in the initial press release. So with 52 or 53 entries remaining, 12 or 11 teams will have byes. Looking at the distribution, I'd say the 8 NRFL sides will have a bye as will 3 or 4 South Island sides. Hopefully this year they pick byes on merit and not by draw.
it was Nelson Suburbs that was missing from the preliminary round graphics, hence 11 teams with byes in round 1.
Sensibly that is the 8 teams in the NRFL. Although not so sensibly that was not co-ordinated with the NRFL draw makers who did not schedule a game that weekend.
Unfortunately the 3 South Island sides that needed a bye were drawn rather than chosen on merit. Hence Halswell, Otago Uni, Roslyn-Wakari get byes when perhaps Coastal Spirit, Dunedin City Royals, and Roslyn-Wakari should have been allocated the byes based on last years league tables. It is that sort of decision making that inhibits the lesser sides entering.
Yeah, I didn’t count them, just figured with 4 winners they’d want 60 other teams going forward. Didn’t factor in giving byes to top league sides to end up with 32 for following round. Makes some sense.
Well done the Diamonds! Epic upset at Madills Farm.
As to the other semi, a game which ends 1-1 after 90, 5-1 after ET can only be down to fitness and WSAFC playing in a tougher competition day in day out. Good to see Alyssa Winham on the field.
The final will be a treat: and I hope to see the Diamonds and Coastal Spirit both in some future National League.
Every KSC final has been at NHS since 2016, just like every Chatham Cup final (except for 2021 while AKL was locked down). Don't see any reason why that should change, sadly (speaking as someone living in the 09, NHS sucks to get to)
Every KSC final has been at NHS since 2016, just like every Chatham Cup final (except for 2021 while AKL was locked down). Don't see any reason why that should change, sadly (speaking as someone living in the 09, NHS sucks to get to)
If you’re outside of Auckland you could probably come up with a few. The final being in Auckland every year means the Auckland team essentially have a home final guaranteed.
It also costs a lot to travel there just for the teams. The Diamonds give a little page said the last trip was $7k all up
Every KSC final has been at NHS since 2016, just like every Chatham Cup final (except for 2021 while AKL was locked down). Don't see any reason why that should change, sadly (speaking as someone living in the 09, NHS sucks to get to)
If you’re outside of Auckland you could probably come up with a few. The final being in Auckland every year means the Auckland team essentially have a home final guaranteed.
It also costs a lot to travel there just for the teams. The Diamonds give a little page said the last trip was $7k all up
NZF pays travel costs for final ...
In the final match all gate receipts shall be retained by NZF who shall be responsible for all reasonable expenses related to the final, including travel costs of participating teams.
... hence its in NZF interest to minimise travel costs assuming that stadium cost/stadium availability/ broadcast costs is no difference Auckland and Wellington.
So it depends on who the Chatham Cup finalists end up being. If its ...
Suburbs v Melville - final in Auckland (2 sides from Auckland) Christchurch v Waterside -final in Wellington (2 sides from Wellington) Suburbs v Waterside - 50/50 Auckland Wellington (2 sides from Auckland, 2 sides from Wellington) Christchurch v Melville - final in Auckland
If you look in past years, only in 2019 was there only 1 Auckland team involved in both finals. That year was Melville v Napier and Eastern Suburbs v Coastal Spirit so it was 2 flights and 1 bus which was still cheapest option for teams to play in Auckland