Gossip I heard on the sideline at tonights pre-season game is that the new CFA is backed by some rich Russian who has bought the land. Probably doesn't matter where the money comes from, as not all Russian money would be sourced through the normal Abromovich and Putin sources but an interesting change in the football landscape for sure. Anyone know any other gossip about it all? Flyers being handed out at local primary schools.
Yes two sand base pitches going in.
It is all a bit of a mess is not it?
We have had one reasonably successful Academy quit town and move to Wellington, taking a number of good young players with them. The reason, no integration or support from the establishment (Mainland and NZF). Welcomed with open arms in wellington. They leave behind a great facility, is it being used? No public comment from Mainland. No explanation to the major stakeholders.
We now have a new program and another facility, apparently supported by Mainland's Board but being developed by a separate private provider. Looking at their web page, no mention of "Whole of Football" "First Kicks" or "Fun Football" .No word publicly from Mainland. No explanation to the major stakeholders.
We have clubs and players being forced to follow blindly the edicts of NZ Football through Mainland. Edicts not being followed in the North Island. Players in Mainland told they must attend FTC to make National teams. Paying thousands to support an enormously expensive administration, when the truth is the most developed players in the North Island ignore the FTC programme. These are the players that will play for New Zealand.
Just been to Nike finals, of the other teams involved less than 15% of players have anything to do with regular FTC. These, according to their coaches are the least developed. As a club coach I am convinced we are being terribly short changed.
Mushrooms, that is how we are treated like Mushrooms