Great news for the region - We'd really become cut off from the country so it's so good to see clubs coming back and competing in the Federation League after a paltry time out last year with only the five teams.
It's awesome that there are so many teams. But I just don't get why 2 CL I'd needed... where were these teams last year what was the reason for not playing in the fed league then? 3 trips from HB to Taranaki $$$ for those clubs.
It's awesome that there are so many teams. But I just don't get why 2 CL I'd needed... where were these teams last year what was the reason for not playing in the fed league then? 3 trips from HB to Taranaki $$$ for those clubs.
I can't speak for all Taranaki clubs, but for Rangers it was a range of things - Cash, player commitment, quality, and among other things the cyclone which was going to cause trips to take several hours longer or potentially force the team in to overnight stays (road network damage etc) which was simply not feasible. I'm pretty sure there is a travel subsidy from NZF, but from what I heard from the club there just wasn't enough appetite to get it to work. Combine them all together and it made sense to just play in the Taranaki Premiership last season.
I'm surprised Peringa have come through to put their name in the hat this year though. Will have to find out who has bankrolled that. As for FC Western, well they've been smart about things and have slowly been establishing themselves as one of the more dominant clubs locally. There's been talk of them going up to Federation League for a while, but they've wanted to make it sustainable and stable first and foremost to avoid yo-yoing in and out of it. I quietly suspect they'll be of the better sides in the competition this season - They're ambitious, driven and from what I gather, quite well resourced
Looks like this would be the Central League 1/2 equation at the end of this season. 8 team CL2 - possible for all 8 to be from Capital region pic.twitter.com/a7FVDH5gUD
Good work by this lad to make it easier to work out who goes where for the CL2.
But you'd be pretty incredulous to see the CL2 filled with Wellington teams, when the purpose of it in the first place was to decrease the gap between Wellington clubs and the regions.**
**Eight Wellington teams in the CL2 would mean a Federation League team will have snuck through to the Central League proper though 😎.
Gosh…..really hope some of the Central football teams can do well.
So what happens to reserve teams? I reckon Olympic reserves would be fine in Central League, but they stay in Cap Prem which will lose 4 teams to central league 2?
Gosh…..really hope some of the Central football teams can do well.
So what happens to reserve teams? I reckon Olympic reserves would be fine in Central League, but they stay in Cap Prem which will lose 4 teams to central league 2?
I think maybe two or three of the central football sides will be competitive. But I can’t see them even coming close to the top capital sides.
I noticed that Napier City Rovers second team have pulled out of the federation league this year.
Its certainly going to be interesting. Traditionally Wanganui and PNM have been the strength in MTU/WNG NPR haver also traditionally been strong when entered (they dont like entering if they wont be competitive) Recent years have seen HNW and Gisbourne both up and down PNU were a rising tide last year.
Im actually excited to see what comes of it. I think the reality is Central can probably field 4 teams in this based on the available talent pool 1 from New Plymouth, 1 from Wanganui, 1 form PN, and one from HB/Gisbourne. New Plymouth and Wanganui seem locked in. The others will be interesting to see.
Anyone watching this league closely? Seems like no-one is really pushing for that Central League spot except for maybe Tawa. Upper Hutt seem to have dropped off from a good start and not sure what's happening at Lower Hutt.
Upoer Hutt lose, and Tawa draw! All still to play for, with a slight edge for Tawa, who can secure the promotion playoff, if they beat the Nix at redwood in their last game.
Upper Hutt 4 points behind, with 2 games to play, Seatoun Midweek and Te Kotahitanga at the weekend.
Olympic win the league after Karori beat Miramar. Congrats to the greeks