I was perusing the NZ Soccer site, and noticed East Auckland, an STNL team comprised partly of Uni-Mt., a team that now once again seems to exist in its own rite, with the revamping of the Northern League. Is EA still around, then? Will they be applying to the new premiership?
The following is from the NZ Soccer CEO's Report (http://www.soccernz.co.nz/index.cfm?pagegroupid=112&ArticleID=583) and answers your question better than I could: On the domestic front the debate has of course centred on the review and proposed reform of the National League. Clearly this has upset some but equally clear is the call for change. Let me repeat what I have said in many media interviews over recent weeks, that is if we were to apply the current criteria stringently across the current National League, we wouldn’t have a league. Too many teams fall down in one or both of the key areas of finance and facilities. We simply cannot allow a competition to continue with clubs surviving on sponsor and community trust handouts while in the meantime providing substandard facilities for players, fans and media alike. To think we could simply dump those teams and allow the few around the country into the existing league that do comply is not the answer. Rather that is more akin to shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic – the ship will still be sinking. How then do we maintain a National League that meets the objectives of New Zealand Soccer i.e.: promoting the game through the media, promoting good coaching practices, promoting good players etc. The answer lies in the success of Canterbury United and latterly East Auckland. Both have proven hugely successful in providing national league opportunities under a specific national league entity based on the strong support of contributing clubs. The media seem to be hooked on the word ‘franchise’ and it may have been a mistake to introduce the word at all. What is being discussed is not a Super 12 type competition with regional selection of players or indeed representation. What the review panel was conscious of however was a geographical representation of sorts, ensuring national league soccer is accessible in some way shape or form to as many areas of the country as possible – within the set performance parameters. Club football will not die – as it hasn’t in Canterbury or East Auckland. Clubs in fact gain through ownership of a national league entity. Players have the opportunity to play without severing their club ties and supporters can do likewise. The timing allows players to continue in winter (if they choose) with their ‘club’ without the need for ‘chequebook’ incentives. Clubs won’t go broke paying players, clubs won’t go broke buying average imports, clubs won’t go broke in trying to meet facilities criteria. Consequently and most importantly, clubs can channel their energies and funds into the right areas of coaching, junior development and their own facilities to meet the demands of regional football. I would suggest any doubters visit Canterbury and see the facilities at English Park and then tell us this is still not the way to go. Ambition won’t die either. Clubs will still strive to achieve on a regional level and to succeed in the Bluebird Chatham Cup. Local rivalries will be as strong as ever. When East Auckland was formed we were told with great disappointment that this would mean an end to University Mt Wellington ever challenging for the Bluebird Chatham Cup again – they play in the semi-finals against Lower Hutt in just over a weeks time. The word has come through loud and clear that change is required. Submissions have also made it clear that more time is required and that clubs (and interested parties) wish to see the Licence Agreement and more information in order to make decisions. The Board took all of that on board in setting out a new timeline of events. No decision was therefore taken, other than to end the current competition forthwith, until those Agreements are drawn up and published. NZS will also outline supporting information relating to the proposed leagues marketing and media exposure. Yes, this will cause some heartache for some clubs and individuals. Any decision of this magnitude will generate some dissension and ill will – we have to be big enough to accept that. For those clubs that say they are doing things right this need not be the end of the road. Those clubs with proven records that will meet the criteria on and off the park (and it is likely there will be a select few) have every right to apply for a licence and every right to think they will be successful in doing so. This current administration will not accept the status quo however with clubs going broke, coaching standards not improving, poor facilities, poor crowds, poor media coverage and little hope for improvement (exceptions granted). Bill MacGowan NZS CEO Hope that answers your question. Crowdie.
Yes it does (I think). Ick. No decision really has been made as to how to continue having a premiership, as teams aren't biting, it seems. This is sad. I'd assume this would affect the national club as well. I wonder if maybe NZS needs to lower its standards a little?
The battle is between a traditional club based system (as currently exists) and tournaments based around combined teams (like East Auckland). The old club based National League has been abandoned and a new combined team league will start in 2005. So the NZ leagues will look like: Professional Football Kingz - NSL Amateur National League - combined teams Northern League (and equivalents) - clubs Local Leagues - clubs Crowdie.
Seems to me that NZ football is in trouble like OZ but far worse. I thought it would not be an issue like distance etc like oz but the foundations over there are in shambles. I hope it gets together like all of the OFC.
New Zealand soccer runs on the smell of an oily rag. It always has and I suspect it always will. Crowdie.
Well i heard that the league would not exist! That is a shame. You guys have a cup which is great but we don't and i wish we did
That is indeed rather surprising Oz doesn't have a cup. I was under the impression that each state had a league below the NSL (somewhat like how NZ has been doing it, I suppose).
More National League Feedback Silly new name, same old problems. That is Napier City Rovers coach Charlie Howe's fear for the future of soccer's revamped national league after the long-awaited release of the competition's licence agreement. There is little fresh information in the document, which outlines the axing of the existing club-based competition for a franchise-style summer league from October next year. More detailed criteria, including strict financial and stadium requirements, will be unveiled in a "manual" promised by New Zealand Soccer within the next week. But Howe is bemused that NZ Soccer will allow up to 10 teams in the new competition after initially advocating eight franchises to ensure the country's talent pool was not spread too thinly. He also finds the league's new name – National League Competition – peculiar, as there is no mention of soccer in the title. "It looks a bit same old, same old to me, I can see that happening . . . it blows me away really," Howe said. One concern for Howe is the 15-month gap between the last club league and the new October 2004-March 2005 franchise competition. He wonders how Napier City Rovers, who are seen as a shoo-in for one of the new licences, will retain players when a winter in the weak Central Soccer League is the only carrot. He would not blame his players if they went to one of the main centres for a higher standard of football, he said. "I suppose the proof will be in the pudding, when we actually start playing (the revamped national league). But that's the key, we've got to keep on playing . . . we've got basketball and cricket to compete against as summer sports now and, gee, we've got a long way to go." Bruce Cullen, chairman of reigning national league champions Miramar Rangers, said the licence document was "interesting" but preferred not to comment further till the manual is released. Western Suburbs backer Dave Wilson can see "no major hurdles" with the agreement and is pressing ahead with plans to bid for the one licence likely to be granted to Wellington. Wilson has had coalition talks with Lower Hutt City and Olympic and hopes Miramar will also come to the negotiation table. However, a prominent club administrator, who wished to remain anonymous, said the licence agreement was full of legal loopholes. "Give it to a third-year law student and they'd rip holes in it, I'm telling you." He also wondered why any business would invest in a new team when there was no right of renewal after the initial three-year licence term. Teams face a $20,000 bond and an annual entry fee of $45,000 plus gst ($50,625). Entry to the ousted club league was $35,000 plus gst. "Who is going to get involved if you've got no certainty over what the future holds?" Crowdie.
Poor New Zealand. I share the concern about the interval between the last STNL season and the first new league season. The federation is setting itself up to lose more fans, methinks. Bad name, also, plus bizarre scheduling (opposite lower division soccer rather than with it. I do like how NZS is trying to beef up standards, but heftier franchise fees is not the way to go (unless NZS itself is suffering financially; then I could see their need). Heftier franchise fees don't really prove a team's sponsor attraction power. Not if the fee negates any financial improvement the team has earned for itself. All in all, this makes me ill. I'll be very curious to see how it all goes. Good luck to Dunedin Technical, wherever they wind up in the pyramid.
I think that the change from club based teams to franchise based teams will be a good change. The traditionally strong clubs (like Waitakere City, North Shire, Bay Olympic, Mt Wellington, etc) will object because they have dominated for so long. These clubs need to grow up and accept that changes had to come as the number of players in New Zealand has been growing steadily and now soccer is the most popular sport with youth below 16 (traditionally Rugby Union has been the most popular). The only other option is to merge the clubs together as there are just too many clubs for the number of senior players we have. Crowdie
New Zealand Soccer has released the National League Manual (http://www.soccernz.co.nz/files/National_League_manual.pdf) and it contains some clauses that will drag some of the clubs into the 21st century. Having protected areas for officials, players and management is certainly something that doesn't happen in the amateur leagues. Crowdie
This doesn't adress the rules of the actual competition. Are those documents forthcoming? Also, what is the target date to determine who has been accepted into the NLC?
Interest in revamped soccer league Most of this year's National League teams are interested in applying for a franchise in New Zealand Soccer's revamped competition due to kick off in 11 months - but some will pull the plug if NZS insists all criteria must be met. NZS is accepting submissions on the new National League licence document and manual until next Thursday, a month after their release. NZS has stated: "It is envisaged applications will be called for before Christmas, with successful licence holders named early in the new year." Canterbury United - a successful hybrid that represented all Christchurch clubs - is seeking more information from NZS but board member Grant Chellew says there are doubts about whether United will apply. "The whole criteria has become a wee bit cumbersome and onerous. We're a bunch of volunteers. No-one has the time and money to get involved in the effort they're requesting," says Chellew. He points to criteria such as players and volunteers needing to be on contracts as "unwieldy". East Auckland - an amalgamation of four Auckland clubs which made this year's National League final - is another after NZS clarification. Chairman Ray Bunbury says: "We want to be there." But the cost of upgrading Bill McKinlay Park may put a place in the league beyond his team. SHOCK Bunbury is a fan of the NZS overhaul: "Somehow, somewhere, sometime, soccer has got to get to that standard but it's coming as a bit of a shock for it to happen within the next 12 months." North Shore will not be among the applicants. Chairman Dave Coshan says: "No individual club can even entertain the idea - it's just too expensive. Running a National League team is a real strain with no return." Only grounds such as North Harbour Stadium and Ericsson Stadium currently meet NZS criteria in Auckland "and those sort of facilities come with a cost," says Coshan. He estimates the expense of fielding a competitive National League team will soar from $90,000-$100,000 to $150,000-$200,000. The entry fee is rising from $35,000 to $45,000 plus a $20,000 bond. "What do you get for it?" NZS has at least shown a commendable willingness to budge on some issues. The initial geographic spread of the proposed eight franchises would almost certainly have excluded Manawatu. NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan has since said the league may be extended to 10, which would open the way for Manawatu to be represented. But that may encourage Wellington clubs to chase a second spot, instead of all getting in behind a Canterbury United-style side to represent the capital. Miramar, Western Suburbs and possibly Lower Hutt will apply for franchises but none will draw widespread support. Capital Soccer federation chairman Frank Van Hattum says he is undecided which approach is best. He admits some Wellington clubs have a lot of baggage but that ultimately "we want to make sure the best players play in the best facilities with the best back-up. And we want the prizemoney - we don't want it going to. . .Auckland." Crowdie
National League The new-look National League Competition took another step forward at yesterday’s Board meeting of New Zealand Soccer, with a number of amendments made to the draft Licence document and timelines agreed for the application process. More information at http://www.soccernz.co.nz/index.cfm?PageGroupID=1&articleid=681 Crowdie
New League Takes Shape The new look National Soccer League continues to take shape. The Board of New Zealand Soccer has made a number of amendments to the draft licence document at its latest board meeting. New Zealand Soccer CEO Bill MacGowan says it is all coming along nicely. MacGowan says the Board ticked off all the processes needed, and they are now calling for submissions for the new national competition. He says, hopefully, submissions will be flowing in shortly. MacGowan says the feedback they have had from around the country has been excellent with several clubs uniting to make a submission. He says areas such as Otago are getting in early, and the response from Canterbury and Manawatu is also good, with several teams forming united fronts. MacGowan says submissions will be called for from December 10 and they will close on February 20 next year. Crowdie
Miramar, Lower Hutt may unite Miramar Rangers and Lower Hutt City look set to throw their clout behind a combined Wellington bid for a licence in soccer's revamped national league. Wellington United, Waterside Karori, Island Bay United, Petone and Tawa are also expected to commit to the marriage at a meeting at Lower Hutt's Bell Park headquarters tonight. The likely alliance, brokered by Capital Soccer, will be seen as a significant breakthrough at New Zealand Soccer as it had feared Wellington's deep-rooted club loyalties would prevent a united bid. But the coalition of the previously unwilling is not guaranteed a berth in the new franchise-style competition which replaces the existing club-based national league in October. Plimmerton businessman Dave Wilson is behind a well-advanced bid based around his Ole Soccer Academy in Porirua and NZ Soccer boss Bill MacGowan has made it clear he does not believe Wellington can support two teams in the new league. "I know a few people think there is justification for two teams but I'm not sure that would be good for the game in the capital," MacGowan said. Tawa chairman Mike Wood, who heads a steering committee set up to investigate the feasibility of a combined bid, will bring potential partners up to speed before publicly unveiling details of the bid. However, it is understood Newtown Park is being eyed as the alliance's home ground. The backing of Miramar, back-to-back national club champions, and reigning Capital Soccer champions Lower Hutt is a significant coup as both had previously toyed with independent bids. MacGowan admits the potential coalition comes as a surprise after he attended a meeting of Wellington clubs last month. "Apart from Dave Wilson, who made his plans clear, they were all like poker players . . . they wouldn't open up," he said. "I'd like to see one strong, combined bid. If it's going to be two or even three then they'll be judged accordingly." Applications for the new league close on February 20 with the eight to 10 successful licence holders to be announced on April 5. Crowdie
Nothing too new that I can see, except they've tidied up the text somewhat with regard to licensure, facility requirements, etc. All the documents pertinent to registry in the league are available in PDF on nzsoccer.com. I keep hearing rumors about possible teams, but see nothing on the NZS site. Also, I don't see where it says how many rounds the competition is supposed to go.
NZ soccer is going through a period of change as it changes from a club based structure to a federation based structure. The new National League reflects this. What is happening is the clubs in each federation are involved in discussions about how they will work together to select a representative team. It will take a little while but I believe that it will be worth the wait. Crowdie
A little blurb about Otago Uited (guess I have a team to root for now! ) http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2738396a6561,00.html
the 'state' federation have to change also like in the ASA situation, i mean 'Soccer 3' is a crap name from a federation. Why not Otago Soccer Federation or something like that.
Good point, Glorious. I am as much a women's soccer fan as men's, but it makes me cringe to see fixtures on the women's side of NZ soccer, because as far as I've seen, the "clubs" are actually run by Soccer 3 and the other regional federations, as opposed to Sweden and England, whose teams are either independent or women's teams within pro clubs. Not FA clubs, though. It really makes me cringe. I hope NZS fixes this.
The problem with womens football in Australia is that it is run independantly from the men's teams such as Adelaide United and the Sensation. Wouldn't it be SENSATIONAL (pardon the pun) to tie up these teams with each other and have them played as curtain raisers? Perth produce fantastic women's football players who go to the east or to America. Perth Glory should have a women's side in the WNSL(WAPL) that would be great. As for NZ they have, well no idea what they are doing and they need to totally start from scratch.
