You're giving it a good nudge BM but you are still essentially arguing to maintain the uncompetitiveness of the league, in order for only one or two teams to mount a serious challenge for the CWC prize money, in order to support a league that is inherently uncompetitive. Doesn't that somewhat undermine the very purpose of sport? What's the point of anyone else even competing then? Do you not think that this situation maybe even contributes to the lack of interest in our national league in the rest of the country?
As I suggested before if ASBP Prem pokie funding was centralised you could easily cut it up so that the O-League participants got some extra support. You're also forgetting that the next O-League will take place in April 2014 as a one or two week tournament in one country which will reduce costs and also make qualification for the CWC much more of a lottery for the NZ sides anyway.
And I find it very funny that you are showing any concern at all for the "legality" or even morality of the current pokie funding legislation and grant distribution practices. Yes, trusts are meant to distribute their funds locally. They are also meant to do that fairly, free of any influence, and in the case of sport for strictly amateur purposes only.
Anyway, the current legislation probably does make a centralised pokie funding scheme impossible, so unfortunately this seems destined to remain a wish only.
I like egalitarian concepts, but it is just a wish from what I can see.
It is up to the national body to get the even funding basis you suggest.
This pokies money is localised, so there is little chance that NZF could their hands on it to distribute nationally, they need a different kind of sponsorship, and in todays economy, sponsorship is hard to find.
ACFC has no need to feel bad because they successfully raise a mountain of cash in their local area, and make the most of it.
We dont know what would happen result wise if another team outside the two Auckland teams won, but it is not an argument to maintain the status quo if there was a chance to change it