Football: NZF charts course for new competition in 2018-19

New Zealand Football has set the course for a revamp of the nation's top domestic competition but it looks like a long and involved trip to get there.

The national body released a statement yesterday after concluding a six-month review focusing on the future of the competition.

With the licences of the current premiership and youth league franchises set to expire at the end of the coming season, New Zealand Football is set to roll out a detailed change strategy over the next four years.

With the ultimate aim of holding a 10-team 30-round competition from the 2018-19 season onwards, the first stage will see clubs from around New Zealand invited next month to express interest in obtaining one of up to 10 two-year licences from 2016-17.

Priority would be given to the current premiership franchises, which include Southern United.

Southern United chairman Aaron Joy could not be contacted yesterday.

New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin says the detailed review, which sought feedback from every stakeholder group in the football community and beyond, provides a clear mandate to initiate the changes required to raise the bar for top-level domestic football.

''We have consistently stated our primary objective over the next several years is to work to reposition the game of football in New Zealand,'' Martin said.

He said it was critical to have a successful, sustainable national league competition that inspired the next generation of players to reach their full potential.

A new domestic league would provide linkages from the grass roots to the national sides.

With six different competition formats used at the top level of domestic football since 1970, the new competition will allow promotion and will continue to be played in the summer.

The youth league and women's league will still be played in the three months before Christmas.

A requirement of the first two-year licence period will be that each club also fields a team in a second-tier under-19 competition to act as the feeder for the top competition.

New Zealand Football community director Cam Mitchell said the start point for the new vision took note of the feedback and experiences gathered as part of the review.

''One of the important learnings from the review has been that under the various league structures we have had, a number of franchises or clubs have experienced great success while others have struggled,'' Mitchell said.

''As we set the way forwards we are providing the opportunity for flexibility within the supporting structure of the individual entrants, as long as they align to the strategic vision and requirements we need.''

New Zealand Football stressed the new broadcasting deal signed with Sky television, which will show more than 20 premiership games this season, was vital for the league and the sport's future.

Football supporters had to watch the game for the broadcasting and, in the end, the sport to be successful.

Mitchell said ultimately it was about creating well-run clubs where the most talented players, coaches, referees and administrators could thrive.

 


New league
Key points

• Maximum of 10 two-year licences to be issued before December 2015 to cover 2016-17 & 2017-18 seasons

• Winter clubs from top leagues around New Zealand able to express interest

• Licences granted only to clubs with national and youth league teams initially

• Applicants must meet set criteria in line with OFC and Fifa standards

• One-season, 10-team, 30-round open competition the ultimate aim in 2018-19


 

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