News: NZ Football (NZF).

AllWhitebeliever · Jan 30, 2011

All things about the New Zealand Football(NZF) and grassroots development . . . .

Starting with;

NZ Football to get an extra $388K from Fifa

FIFA is giving each football nation an extra $300,000 ($NZ388,150) as a share of profits from the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA said Friday that the payment is in addition to the $250,000 every country gets annually toward its football development and running costs. Brunei is currently suspended and is the only one of FIFA's 208 members excluded.

Each of FIFA's six continental confederations gets an extra $2.5 million.

"This decision by the FIFA executive committee has been made possible thanks to the outstanding success of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which led to a very good financial result for FIFA for the entire 2007-2010 period," the governing body said in a statement.

FIFA's annual financial report due in March is expected to reveal total commercial revenues of around $3.4 billion for the four-year cycle.

FIFA announced the first round of bonuses to the 11-nation Oceania confederation at its congress in American Samoa this month.

"The funds are to be invested first and foremost in the development of football and to enable FIFA member associations to take part in FIFA competitions," the statement said.

FIFA also gave bonuses of $250,000 last year which were agreed at its congress in Johannesburg on the eve of the World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter stands for re-election on June 1 for a fourth four-year term in office.

No challenger has yet declared his intention to run against Blatter. The deadline for candidates is April 1.
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AllWhitebeliever · Jan 30, 2011

NZ Football chance at lucrative Fifa double

FIFA has asked New Zealand Football to stand by as a potential host of next year's under-20 women's World Cup.

And with an already strong bid for the 2015 under-20 men's tournament, New Zealand could host two Fifa events over the next five years.

The Sunday Star-Times understands Vietnam's winning bid for the 2012 women's tournament imploded late last year.

And although Fifa are yet to declare the collapse, NZF chief executive Michael Glading confirmed football's world body contacted him six weeks ago, flagging the tournament's availability with a "can you help?" inquiry.

"Having expressed our interest in the 2015 event, Fifa rang and said `would New Zealand be interested in the 2012 event' to which we said, `Yes, without a doubt'," Glading told the Sunday Star-Times.

"A winning bid for the 2015 under-20 men's World Cup remains our absolute priority. We're looking at 2012 as a big potential bonus and the New Zealand Government has already given full backing."

Fifa updated Glading on Friday morning, advising of other nations registering interest for 2012, though the spokesperson stopped short of identifying the bidders.

The Sunday Star-Times understands a list of three candidates includes at least one nation from within the Asian Football Confederation.

Glading says he is currently working solely on the 2015 bid, but he has assured Fifa that NZF is ready, willing and able to host next year if required.

Securing both Fifa events would not only be a massive coup for New Zealand football, but Kiwi sport in general.

It would also dump around half-a-billion dollars into the economy, as well as having a tremendous impact on the long-term security of the domestic game.

The under-20 event is the third-biggest tournament on Fifa's books.

"Others have put their hands up for 2012 since Fifa first approached us, but it is still a possibility," Glading said.

"When Fifa first came to us, it was on the basis of helping out. They may feel the fairest thing to do now is to keep it within the confederation originally awarded the competition, which would be perfectly reasonable. It's just impossible to tell at this stage.

"My understanding is we're on standby, and if Fifa require it, we can spring into action. We're definitely an alternative they are considering.

"Both events would be of massive benefit to New Zealand, no doubt about it. But I've made it absolutely clear, New Zealand Football is very, very keen to host the 2015 men's event.

"If Fifa want us to run the 2012 women's tournament too, we could certainly do that."

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Regardless of where the 2012 cup goes, Glading agreed Fifa's decision to turn to New Zealand as an emergency host was an excellent sign for the nation's global reputation – and yet another boost for New Zealand's chances of landing the prime 2015 tournament.

Last week the Star-Times revealed that 2010 Fifa World Cup co-ordinator Peter Montopoli considers the Kiwi bid "a step ahead" of rivals Wales, Peru and Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Glading said the 2015 bid was forging ahead.

The official Bid Book, required by Fifa by February 12, is set to be printed on Thursday.

- Sunday Star Times
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A great boost to the region. If NZ is the host, then one of the other OFC nations will send a representative from Islands. It would be a great boost for some of their U20 teams from the Pacific Islands.

AllWhitebeliever · Sep 23, 2011

Not quite the NZF, more grassroot future stuff.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903791504576586800868607230.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

By LUCY CRAYMER and JONATHAN CLEGG

Auckland, New Zealand

You don't have to follow rugby to know that the national team of New Zealand, the All Blacks, are the undisputed kings of this sport. This team (its nickname refers to the traditional color of its uniforms) plays with a combination of finesse and physical prowess few can match.

Since 1903, New Zealand has won almost 80% of its matches and has held the world's top ranking for more time than every other rugby nation combined.

But even as the All Blacks steam through the opening rounds of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, this team may have finally found an opponent it can't overcome: soccer.

Here in the land where rugby has long been considered a civic religion, there are signs New Zealand may be the latest country to fall for the seemingly irresistible charms of the beautiful game. Last year, New Zealand's national soccer team, the All Whites, captured the country's imagination—and about three million television viewers in a nation of just over four million—as it nearly advanced to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

This week's Sports Retort tackles the question of whether the reeling Red Sox could not just make the playoffs, but advance there. Plus NFL and college football picks and a fairly strained attempt to compare the podcast to "I Love Lucy."

The Wellington Phoenix, the country's sole professional soccer club, also made headlines by reaching the semifinals of the Australasian A-League for the first time. It drew a larger average crowd than the city's storied rugby team.

Now, soccer's growing popularity, combined with record levels of youth participation, has led some to suggest that rugby's position as New Zealand's national pastime is weakening, raising questions about how a country with roughly the same population as Washington, D.C., can continue its unlikely domination of a global sport.

"We are striving to maintain our numbers," said Steve Tew, chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union. "We are in competition [with soccer] but… we don't begrudge what the All Whites did at all."

This isn't the first time rugby's position has been threatened by the rise of soccer. In the 1980s, New Zealand's first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 1982 coincided with a period of disenchantment with rugby, caused by a spate of spinal injuries and the All Blacks' controversial 1981 series against South Africa, which was bedeviled by anti-apartheid protests (one of which forced the cancellation of a game in Hamilton).

"Soccer made huge gains and rugby faced a crisis," said Bob Howitt, the author of 13 books on New Zealand rugby and its players.

The soccer boom didn't last. New Zealand hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and the All Blacks went on to win the title in dominating fashion, rekindling the country's love affair with rugby. In the next decade, the advent of professionalism (national-team players had long been barred from playing professionally) and the establishment of the southern hemisphere's Super Rugby competition cemented the sport's position.

This time, there are signs that soccer's recent progress may endure. The sport has long had one of the country's highest participation rates, but over the last decade youth numbers have been steadily rising—and there are signs the pace is accelerating. Since 2000, the number of kids registered with soccer clubs has grown from 65,000 to more than 100,000, according to New Zealand Football. In the 12 months since New Zealand played at the 2010 World Cup, those numbers have soared by almost 5%, making it the fastest-growing sport.

At the same time, rugby's position as New Zealand's national pastime is weakening. A UMR Research poll last year found rugby was still the country's most popular sport, but the percentage of New Zealanders who were "fairly or very interested" in rugby was just 60%—the lowest since tracking began in 1993.

Grant McKavanagh, chief executive of New Zealand Football, says the old attitude that soccer is for wimps and that real men play rugby no longer applies. "When I was growing up, you were always a little worried about mentioning the sport you played," he said. "Now you can say it with pride."

To some rugby fans, New Zealand's newfound passion for soccer is tough to fathom. While the All Blacks are ranked No. 1 in the world and are expected to win every time they step on a rugby pitch, the country's soccer team has a world ranking of 89 and returned home to a ticker tape parade because they went to the World Cup in South Africa and didn't lose any games. (The All Whites drew with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia but failed to advance from group play.)

Then there's the fact that this rugged sport has been tied to the country's national identity and culture ever since its introduction here in the 19th Century. Some say the All Blacks, through their inclusion of Polynesian players and embrace of Maori traditions, have even helped bind the nation together.

"The physicality of rugby, you just don't get it in soccer," said Layne Greensill, a 46-year-old farmer from New Zealand's North Island, who plans to take in 28 games in nine stadiums during the seven-week World Cup.

Soccer's surge could have some unsettling consequences for the country's indomitable rugby team. Officials are conscious that the growing participation rate in youth soccer could slowly begin to affect the talent pool available to the All Blacks. New Zealand already has fewer than 30,000 active senior (adult) players, according to the International Rugby Board. By contrast, France has more than 110,000 and England has roughly 166,000.

"We are hopeful that one of the spinoffs with having the [World Cup] here is that more people will be interested in the game both in watching it, playing it and coaching it," said Tew, of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

In that respect, the signs are positive so far. Nearly 500,000 people have attended World Cup games already and even this week's match between Tonga and Japan—hardly the hottest ticket—drew a sell-out crowd. The numbers of people at the fan zone in Auckland on the tournament's opening night were so large that parts of the city had to be shut down.

As good as that sounds, New Zealand rugby officials know there is a downside that comes with hosting the world's foremost international rugby tournament.

"If we don't win, as we know from experience, we deal with a backlash," said Tew. "Interest wanes in the game generally and we effectively have to build our way back."

Write to Jonathan Clegg at jonathan.clegg@wsj.com

Corrections & Amplifications
New Zealand has fewer than 30,000 active senior (adult) players, according to the International Rugby Board. By contrast, France has more than 110,000. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said New Zealand has fewer than 300,000 professional players, and left the last zero off the 110,000 figure.
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Here's a few comments from the readers . .

Siena Denton wrote:

Kiaora (Greetings).

New Zealand has had the benefit and privilege of hosting and staging a successful Under-17 World Cup™ (1999), the Under-17 Women’s World Cup™ (2008) and in 2015 will play host to the Under-20 FIFA football World Cup™ which will be watched by more than 500 million fans worldwide.

With the current Rugby World Cup taking place, the revitalised stadia, will no doubt enhance New Zealand's hosting capacity and certainly most vital for a tournament that is a 'Major Event' with the 24 nations and 52 matches, the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ and is the international football body’s second largest tournament behind the senior men’s event, and rivals the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ as its next most important.

Our All Whites did our tiny nation proud at the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ in South Africa and we acknowledged that with the team winning the most coveted New Zealand sports award, 'The Halberg Award'.

There are a number of All White players' who are also contracted players to our one and only Professional football club, the Wellington Phoenix FC owned by Mr Terry Serepisos and it is this club and this man that in my opinion aided in reigniting the 'Passion for Football' [soccer] in New Zealand aka Aotearoa.

The truth is there are more football[soccer] players as in, school-aged children than there are rugby players at that level.

Most definitely, 'The Beautiful Game' has gripped the Hearts of many Kiwi's and I am sure involvement from our young youth talent will give our national game players' a run for their money.

Hei kona (Stay well).
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Another comment by a reader was interesting

Daniel Robinson wrote:

Kiaora Siena

I was surprised by this article but this line did it for me the most :
- New Zealand's national soccer team, the All Whites, captured the country's imagination—and about three million television viewers in a nation of just over four million—as it nearly advanced to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. -

http://www.throng.co.nz/ratings/tv-ratings-15-june-2010

NZ V Slovakia - 455,150
NZ V italy - No Rating Given
NZ V Paraguay - 384,150

R16
Fifa WC 2010 R16: 33,090 (6:30am - 9:00am)
Fifa WC 2010 R16: 41,480 (6:30am - 8:20am)
Fifa WC 2010 R16: 44,450 (6:30am - 8:30am)
Fifa WC 2010 R16: 40,540 (6:30am - 8:25am)

QF (Those which were listed)
Fifa WC 2010 QF: 43,470 (6:35am - 9:15am)
Fifa WC 2010 QF: 43,730 (6:30am - 8:20am)

SF
Fifa WC 2010 SF: 69,000 (6:30am - 8:25am)
Fifa WC 2010 SF: 73,440 (6:30am - 8:20am

Final
Fifa WC 2010 Final: 513,120 (6:30am - 9:00am)

Total - 1,741,620

This is not too bad for soccer in NZ and shows the sport has some appeal and is growing but lets compare it to the opening round of the Rugby World Cup - NZ V Tonga

NZ V Tonga - 1,635,780

Total NZ Viewership of all 2011 world cup games so far
10,975,630

Soccer has a long way to go before it over takes Rugby in New Zealand - It also shows the article is badly researched both about the status of Rugby as the no.1 sport in New Zealand and the 3 million figure quoted in the article.

Hei kona ra
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AllWhitebeliever · Nov 13, 2011

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1310&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=6d550b4c29

Football community welcomes Christchurch stadium plans
New Zealand Football has welcomed news of plans to convert Christchurch’s Rugby League Park to an international-quality multi-code venue.

November 8, 2011

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Football has welcomed news of plans to convert Christchurch’s Rugby League Park to an international quality multi-sport venue.

With AMI Stadium badly damaged by earthquakes in September and February the 20 million dollar facility will serve the city’s needs for the three to five years once construction is completed in March 2012.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh said the 17,000 seat venue – capacity can be increased to 25,000 with temporary seating – would be a welcome addition to options for future All Whites and Football Ferns matches as well as the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“Combined with the opening of ASB Football Park last month, the new stadium means Christchurch will have the football infrastructure to enjoy all aspects of the game, from Whole of Football initiatives at junior and youth level, to local and national league matches and now high-profile international fixtures as well,” McKavanagh said.

"It’s also an important step in Christchurch being able to host matches during the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, an event which will give the city valuable world-wide exposure.”

The Wellington Phoenix, who last year attracted a bumper crowd for Christchurch’s first A-League match, also looked forward to a chance to re-connect with South island fans.

“We would welcome a return to playing in Christchurch at a venue with international standing, and the chance to show our support for the city,” said Wellington Phoenix CEO Nathan Greenham.

“We have a huge number of fans in the South Island and our past games in Christchurch have attracted great crowds. We look forward to this venue being developed."
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AllWhitebeliever · Nov 13, 2011

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1313&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=2274c6fae7

FIFA turf set for Petone
A new state-of-the-art FIFA football turf in Petone will add up to 600 more matches to the winter football calendar in Wellington and will form the basis for a lower North Island football hub.

November 11, 2011

AUCKLAND - A new state-of-the-art FIFA football turf in Petone will add up to 600 more matches to the winter football calendar in Wellington and will form the basis for a lower North Island football hub.

The $2 million upgrade of Memorial Park is funded by $550,000 of FIFA Goal Project funding, a $500,000 investment from Hutt City Council, $450,000 from Capital Football with the balance to be made up from community funding or sponsorship.

Work on the redeveloped ground, which will house New Zealand Football’s Central Technical Centre and the headquarters of Capital Football Federation –could begin before Christmas.

Memorial Park will be the third FIFA Goal project to be facilitated by New Zealand Football, following successful turf redevelopments at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium in 2007 and Canterbury's ASB Football Park which was completed last month.

“Access to facilities is the major constraint to football’s growth not just in numbers but also in terms of quality,” said New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum.

“Projects like Memorial Park remove that barrier to participation but also act as hubs for the roll out of key Whole of Football initiates that help to keep our kids active as well as develop better footballers in the long term.”

Van Hattum said collaboration with local government and federations was the key to bringing new facilities to life.

“Working with councils like Hutt City, who have been instrumental in developing Memorial Park is essential to the health of New Zealand’s largest participation winter sport,” said van Hattum.

The Mayor of Lower Hutt Ray Wallace said the success of the project was the result of close collaboration among sporting organisations and the city.

“The decision to install the all-weather pitch followed a lot of work by many people and I am very proud of the outcome and I am looking forward to the work getting under way.

“The new turf will be a great asset for the city providing an all-weather facility and a focal point for regional activities.

“Lower Hutt has some of the best sporting facilities in the Wellington region and the new development is a welcome addition.

FIFA Vice President and OFC President David Chung said the project is another example of how FIFA is catering to the specific needs of every national association.

"Across the Pacific, OFC's 11 members face unique challenges and in New Zealand Football's case it is evident that the rapid growth of the game is putting a strain on the number of facilities available," said Chung.

"I would like to thank FIFA for responding to these needs with confirmation that New Zealand's third Goal project is set to get underway.”

The all-weather pitch will be accompanied by lights and will sit alongside three other full sized pitches. Capital Football Chair Jim Murphy said it will quickly become a regional football hub.

“It really will be a home of football in the region,” said Murphy.

“We’ve had to turn away new teams in some leagues the past because we just couldn’t accommodate the growth, while access to grounds to play or even train on during bad weather has long been a major issue.”

“Memorial Park will be an international standard dedicated football facility, situated at the heart of three of our federation’s biggest districts. It increases overall capacity, allows us to provide more Whole of Football development programmes and have a match-ready facility for national league and Chatham Cup matches or national tournaments.”
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http://www.ausleisure.com.au/default.asp?PageID=&ReleaseID=4867&Display=True

FIFA BACKS CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE REBUILD
11-11-2011

SPORT - VENUES - FUNDING - EARTHQUAKE - DEVELOPMENT
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and New Zealand Football have both welcomed the news that world football governing body FIFA will commit a further US$300,000 to the rebuilding of sports facilities in earthquake affected Christchurch.
A 'solidarity grant', recently approved by FIFA's Finance Committee after a proposal from OFC President David Chung, is set to be used for renovating, restoring and constructing football facilities within the earthquake-affected city.
The grant will add to the hardship fund of over $140,000 established by Mainland Football Federation in June with donations and grants from Mainland, New Zealand Football, OFC and the Japanese Football Association.
It also follows on from the FIFA Goal project to transform what was formerly English Park into a new state-of-the-art all weather turf, which officially opened last month.
ASB Football Park, now the home of Mainland Football, was made possible through the FIFA grant of NZ$535,000 as well as a significant investment of NZ$1.065 million from the Christchurch City Council.
President Chung says he is delighted to see the continuing commitment from football's international governing body, stating "the rebuilding process is a long road for the people of Christchurch who continue to display unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.
"FIFA has shown its support by helping to fund the new-look ASB Football Park – one of the first major construction projects to be completed in Christchurch – and is now backing that up with a USD $300,000 grant to continue developing facilities. It is a welcome injection for the football community in Christchurch."
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter is pleased to announce the new funding, adding "I would like to send my best wishes to the people of Canterbury.
"We have been working closely with OFC and New Zealand Football to identify the needs of the community following these devastating earthquakes. I am honoured and delighted to confirm the new funding and trust that it will be used effectively to show once again how football can help bring people together thanks to the fair play and friendship that it promotes."
The show of generosity also won plaudits from New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum who stated "FIFA's steadfast commitment to development, and the knowledge that they stand ready to support Christchurch, is further testament to the huge difference a major sporting body can make to communities."
Mainland Football Chairman Mark Stewart says the grant will help significantly in the rebuilding of facilities that were damaged by the earthquakes in February and last September, concluding "football in Canterbury was hit hard (by the 22nd February earthquake), with the damage to 40 or so grounds leading to over 1,500 players missing out on football this past season.
"The opening of the FIFA Goal Project at ASB Football Park will go a long way to getting those players back into football and this latest gesture will have a huge impact at key football facilities all around the Canterbury region."
The fund will be administered by the New Zealand Football Foundation with Mainland Football handling grant applications.
To watch a video of last month's FIFA Goal project inauguration at ASB Football Park in Christchurch click here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5N5kNWK7EQ
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Dazzzza55 · Feb 16, 2012

Hi NZ football fans...we are trying to grow our Facebook page to make our local football team here on the North Shore more attractive to sponsors. Support local sport, and North Shore United by visiting and 'liking' our page. Thanks
www.facebook.com/NorthShoreUnited

msilverstein47 · Jan 8, 2013

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/new...news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10857922

AllWhitebeliever · Mar 27, 2013

Soccer: NZ Football in dark over Durante

By Michael Brown

7:14 PM Wednesday Mar 27, 2013

EXPAND
Andrew Durante in action for the Phoenix. Photo / getty Images
New Zealand Football got the result they wanted on the field yesterday when the All Whites beat the Solomon Islands in their final Oceania World Cup qualifier but they are in dark about whether they got a positive result off it around the Andrew Durante eligibility saga.

Durante made his All Whites debut in the 2-0 defeat of the Solomon Islands in Honiara and NZF were hopeful his eligibility would be questioned by either the Oceania Football Confederation or the Solomons after the match. They are confident the Australian-born defender qualifies to play for New Zealand but have not received a definitive answer from Fifa and hope a challenge will bring certainty.
They want the matter resolved before November's intercontinental playoff with the fourth-placed team from North and Central America and the game against the Solomons was the best chance to do this. Any successful challenge would see that 2-0 result overturned and the All Whites lose 3-0 but they had already guaranteed progression to the World Cup playoff.
NZF high performance manager Fred de Jong tried all day to contact Oceania head of competitions David Firisua to see if Durante's inclusion was included on the match commissioner's report - if it was, Fifa would need to look into the matter - or if the Solomons appealed Durante's participation.
Firisua also didn't return calls made by APNZ.
"It's a waiting game for us," de Jong said. "We are waiting to see if anything has come out of the game that would instigate an investigation into Durante's eligibility. We are trying to get hold of that information through OFC.
"Our view is that we would hope OFC would help us to clear up his eligibility because OFC represents us at Fifa.
"If nothing pops up, we will review the situation again. I think we would probably go back to Fifa and highlight that Andrew played and ask whether that changes anything."
As they waited for a response, NZF kept a close eye on World Cup qualifiers played in North and Central America today. Panama beat Honduras 2-0, Mexico and the US played out a 0-0 draw and Costa Rica beat Jamaica 2-0.
It means Panama lead with five points after three of their 10 games followed by Costa Rica, USA and Honduras (all on four points), Mexico (3) and Jamaica (2).

The first leg of the intercontinental playoff will be hosted by the Concacaf country on November 13 or 14 followed by the return match in New Zealand on November 20.
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AllWhitebeliever · Mar 27, 2013

. . . to be honest I thought that I read in some FIFA document that if a player plays before he was eligible, he risk not being able to represent his adopted country ever. Not that I have recall anyone being in that situation. But I think that there is a cause for some concerns for the player himself rather than the results of a game. I just don't get why player eligibility takes so long, the documents should have been received by the FIFA from OFC and NZF. It's like the Fallon episode all again.

dinamo_zagreb · Mar 28, 2013

Why NZF insisted on him playing in that match? They could have waited and field him in some friendly game.

AllWhitebeliever · Apr 8, 2013

dinamo_zagreb said: ↑

Why NZF insisted on him playing in that match? They could have waited and field him in some friendly game.
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Go figure . . . I guess NZ wants to prevent Australia from calling him up for their training squad and then toss him to aside while NZ wants him in their team or on the bench at least with a more active role. Now with him actually playingin the All Whites, the Socceroos can't touch him and ruin his chance to play internationally regularly.

msilverstein47 · Aug 6, 2014

new head coach:

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/...son-quits-bahrain-to-take-over-in-new-zealand

AllWhitebeliever · Aug 7, 2014

Yeah an interesting development. FYI, Hudson was the reserve coach at Tottenham Hotspurs in 2010 prior to his Newport County Appointment and Bahrain coaching stints. Coaching Experience under Jose Mourineo and Harry Rednapp. Not a shabby appointment at all. And wait for it . . . he loves attacking football.

msilverstein47 · Aug 11, 2014

AllWhitebeliever said: ↑

wait for it . . . he loves attacking football.
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you do happen to need some forwards who can play in order to attack...but I'll be cheering for you!

AllWhitebeliever · Aug 13, 2014

Captain Tommy Smith requested non-selection for the national team for the next 12months

http://www.3news.co.nz/Tommy-Smith-...break/tabid/415/articleID/356719/Default.aspx

To be honest, it's no different to what Ryan Nelson or Winyton Rufer had to do when they play top flight professional leagues making a big deal over a small injury. At least he was forthcoming with the request, unlike the previous players.

Some players have to focus and fight hard for their places on the club first team and it does depends on the managers that the club they play for as well. I think in Tommy Smith's case, he was man handled off a club game by officials and was shoved on a plane to be frustratingly sitting on a bench in the game against Mexico with no game time at all. So there may some personal issues that he wants to be straighten out with the NZ Football.

msilverstein47 · Aug 13, 2014

AllWhitebeliever said: ↑

Captain Tommy Smith requested non-selection for the national team for the next 12months
...players have to focus and fight hard for their places on the club first team...
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and I will predict that Ipswich Town (Tractor Boys) will win promotion to the Premier League...you heard it here first!

fridge46 · Oct 4, 2014

Huh... Wellington Phoenix are going to field a team in this seasons (2014-2015) ASB Premiership.

Unlikely to field a full strength side, but no mention if they will be reserves, academy, youth...

Will we see Wellington Phoenix representing OFC at the 2016 Club World Cup?

Radu Razvan · Oct 5, 2014

hmm, they will play also in A-League..

dinamo_zagreb · Oct 5, 2014

It's a Wellington Phoenix reserves team. They will field mostly youth players.

msilverstein47 · Sep 16, 2015

http://www.npsl.info/home/891295.html

Cunningham, who has already traveled more than 7,000 miles in his soccer career, will now move on to playing professionally in New Zealand, something which “came at somewhat of a surprise.”
But it was a good surprise for a player that developed a great deal during his time in the NPSL.
“One day I was randomly thinking about playing in New Zealand, and seemingly the next I’m signing a contract to play professionally in New Zealand,” Cunningham concluded.
Cunningham said he is excited for his new opportunity and is ready to embrace his soccer journey, wherever that might take him.
“I’ve already traveled 7,000 miles, what’s 7,000 more?”

msilverstein47 · Jan 20, 2016

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/footba...oach-sam-wilkinson-says-talent-gap-isnt-great

"Perhaps the biggest drawback is the New Zealand coaching set-up doesn't maximise this potential and in that respect coach education is critical. But we've seen players come through despite the system rather than because of it, so imagine what would be possible if we had a system which was fully nurturing the talent."

KiarashM · Jan 21, 2016

So what happened on New-Zealand potentially joining AFC?

dinamo_zagreb · Jan 21, 2016

Nothing, FIFA has other problems now, unfortunately. Ain't good for New Zealand football. I hope new president (my vote goes to that guy from Jordan) will do something about it, FIFA has to make something as NZL is in toughest position of all footballing nations and they can't solve it by themselves.

In other news from Kiwi country, NZL league is expanding to 10 teams next season. Auckland is getting new team, Hamilton and Nelson (finally ) also. Hamilton comes in place of WaiBOP United (same region, Waikato).

theFOOTBALLlover · Feb 2, 2016

Should either split the AFC into West and East (including the OFC) or get the OFC to join with the AFC. It's embarrassing that this confederation is still allowed to exist on its own.

msilverstein47 · Aug 1, 2017

http://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/0...e-quest-to-take-new-zealand-to-the-world-cup/

8/1/2017
Anthony Hudson and the quest to take New Zealand to the World Cup