1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:13,107 --> 00:00:16,307 Speaker 2: Bill Foley, of course, is the majority owner of the 4 00:00:16,307 --> 00:00:19,067 Speaker 2: football club, but there was an ownership group made up 5 00:00:19,107 --> 00:00:23,587 Speaker 2: of a number of other prominent investors, including former All 6 00:00:23,627 --> 00:00:27,427 Speaker 2: Black and Rugby World Cup winner Alie Williams, who was 7 00:00:27,427 --> 00:00:29,947 Speaker 2: with us. Now, Allie, thanks for popping in for a 8 00:00:29,947 --> 00:00:31,867 Speaker 2: bit of a chat. Take us back to the start 9 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 2: of all of this. How did you get involved? 10 00:00:34,627 --> 00:00:37,107 Speaker 3: Look, it's a long it's a long story, but Anna 11 00:00:37,747 --> 00:00:39,587 Speaker 3: herself actually asked me, why do we not have a 12 00:00:39,627 --> 00:00:42,787 Speaker 3: professional football team in Auckland, And I said, well we did. 13 00:00:42,907 --> 00:00:47,347 Speaker 3: It's it's been a long time between drinks and Anna, 14 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:49,787 Speaker 3: being the person that she is, proactive, got straight up 15 00:00:49,827 --> 00:00:52,227 Speaker 3: onto the A League and rang them and said, mate, 16 00:00:52,267 --> 00:00:56,187 Speaker 3: where's your expansion documents? Anyway, long story short, they send 17 00:00:56,187 --> 00:00:58,067 Speaker 3: them through and you know, we looked at other people 18 00:00:58,067 --> 00:01:02,347 Speaker 3: and other partners around the world around that, and you 19 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:05,747 Speaker 3: know we've we've ended up in a partnership with Bill Foley, 20 00:01:06,587 --> 00:01:10,787 Speaker 3: Winston Reed, Steve Adams, Noah Hicky and Tim Brown and 21 00:01:10,787 --> 00:01:13,347 Speaker 3: and we're having a lot of fun and the fruits 22 00:01:13,587 --> 00:01:17,987 Speaker 3: are today right seeing everyone together and feeling the excitement 23 00:01:18,107 --> 00:01:22,347 Speaker 3: leading up to it and also the it's almost an 24 00:01:22,427 --> 00:01:25,267 Speaker 3: unknown you know, how is this all going to turn out? Well, look, 25 00:01:25,267 --> 00:01:26,547 Speaker 3: we're not going to go away. We're going to have 26 00:01:26,587 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 3: some fun. We're going to make some mistakes, we can 27 00:01:28,787 --> 00:01:31,907 Speaker 3: guarantee that, but we're going to have, you know, one 28 00:01:32,907 --> 00:01:35,827 Speaker 3: the people, the communities forefront of our decision making in 29 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,587 Speaker 3: terms of making this fun, getting some excitement. And then 30 00:01:39,627 --> 00:01:43,467 Speaker 3: the player pathway, how do we give kids, younger kids, 31 00:01:43,507 --> 00:01:49,227 Speaker 3: both women, girls, boys and men an opportunity to achieve 32 00:01:49,267 --> 00:01:51,627 Speaker 3: their dreams and higher honors. And that's not just playing 33 00:01:51,667 --> 00:01:55,427 Speaker 3: for the all whites. That's playing for bigger and better 34 00:01:55,427 --> 00:01:57,547 Speaker 3: clubs than this one. And we're quite happy to be 35 00:01:57,827 --> 00:01:59,667 Speaker 3: a stepping stone. Two bigger things. 36 00:02:00,307 --> 00:02:03,107 Speaker 2: What is your day to day involvement in the football club. 37 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:07,507 Speaker 3: I've just been at Pony Club with my daughter, so 38 00:02:07,907 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 3: basically the first priority as being a dad and a husband, 39 00:02:12,627 --> 00:02:15,987 Speaker 3: and then you know, we'll turn up and have some 40 00:02:16,067 --> 00:02:20,107 Speaker 3: fun with everyone else. You know, there's a little bit 41 00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:21,387 Speaker 3: of a bit of stuff that you've got to do 42 00:02:21,427 --> 00:02:24,867 Speaker 3: commercially to support the people that have helped us right 43 00:02:24,947 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: and believed in the vision. So a bit of that, 44 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:29,867 Speaker 3: but then it's about excitement, like it's about energy, and 45 00:02:29,907 --> 00:02:33,307 Speaker 3: it's about enjoying enjoying something because I think it gets 46 00:02:33,307 --> 00:02:35,467 Speaker 3: hard to motivate yourself day in and day out to 47 00:02:35,947 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 3: help out and to make change if you're not seeing 48 00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:42,187 Speaker 3: and appreciating the little successes that you get. So today 49 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:44,507 Speaker 3: is one of those moments where we can really sit 50 00:02:44,587 --> 00:02:47,147 Speaker 3: back and have a bit of fun with everything. And 51 00:02:47,147 --> 00:02:49,347 Speaker 3: then obviously you go back to drawing book holds and 52 00:02:49,387 --> 00:02:52,467 Speaker 3: look at where we can get better. But today, yeah, 53 00:02:52,467 --> 00:02:54,027 Speaker 3: today is about having fun with everyone else. 54 00:02:54,427 --> 00:02:56,747 Speaker 2: How has Bill Foley been to deal with? 55 00:02:58,067 --> 00:03:01,987 Speaker 3: Pretty straight shooter? Jumping a room with Bill and Anna 56 00:03:02,027 --> 00:03:03,747 Speaker 3: and I tell you what, we're not mucking around and 57 00:03:03,747 --> 00:03:07,307 Speaker 3: when it comes to decision making or or their drive 58 00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:11,147 Speaker 3: to be successful on all elements, right, not only winning, 59 00:03:11,227 --> 00:03:15,107 Speaker 3: but but making this club a success all around the world. 60 00:03:15,227 --> 00:03:20,107 Speaker 3: So pretty pretty simple. I love I love working with 61 00:03:20,107 --> 00:03:22,707 Speaker 3: with with him. He's a great human and you know, 62 00:03:22,907 --> 00:03:26,547 Speaker 3: got some excitement the guys, you know, almost pushing eighty 63 00:03:26,587 --> 00:03:28,707 Speaker 3: and he's got energy like a like a young fourteen 64 00:03:28,747 --> 00:03:31,387 Speaker 3: year old. So yeah, really really really great human. 65 00:03:31,667 --> 00:03:33,867 Speaker 2: On the grass Allie. On the football side of things, 66 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,667 Speaker 2: What are your expectations for the side on the field 67 00:03:37,067 --> 00:03:37,947 Speaker 2: in season one. 68 00:03:38,787 --> 00:03:40,867 Speaker 3: I don't think any sports person in the world goes 69 00:03:40,867 --> 00:03:44,787 Speaker 3: out to lose, right, so very clearly, every every game 70 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:47,427 Speaker 3: they want to win right every game. As individuals, they 71 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:50,987 Speaker 3: want to play their best. What does success like look 72 00:03:51,067 --> 00:03:53,907 Speaker 3: like as a club? It's it's about fan engagement, it's 73 00:03:53,947 --> 00:03:56,147 Speaker 3: about getting a buy and it's about getting a belief 74 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:59,827 Speaker 3: that we're not here for a short term. We're here 75 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:01,947 Speaker 3: for a long term. We're here for a you know, 76 00:04:01,947 --> 00:04:04,707 Speaker 3: we're here to make a change in football in this country. 77 00:04:04,747 --> 00:04:09,787 Speaker 3: We're also here to propew and create youth passes, path pathways. 78 00:04:09,787 --> 00:04:12,027 Speaker 3: We're also here to tie in communities of Auckland, and 79 00:04:12,707 --> 00:04:17,107 Speaker 3: we're here to turn turn football and sport into into 80 00:04:17,107 --> 00:04:20,347 Speaker 3: a fun and entertaining element. And that's success. How do 81 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:22,067 Speaker 3: you measure that? Well, A lot of people are going 82 00:04:22,107 --> 00:04:23,827 Speaker 3: to try and do it on the field with the results. 83 00:04:24,147 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 3: For us, it's not so much about that. Hey, I'm 84 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:28,107 Speaker 3: not going to lie. We want to do well and 85 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:32,187 Speaker 3: you know, like anything, we want to win cold herds, 86 00:04:32,227 --> 00:04:33,747 Speaker 3: So that's where it's at. 87 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:36,547 Speaker 2: It'll be easier though, want to engage with fans to 88 00:04:36,547 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 2: get some momentum behind this football club if the team 89 00:04:39,027 --> 00:04:40,147 Speaker 2: is winning football matches. 90 00:04:40,227 --> 00:04:44,227 Speaker 3: Right, Okay, we've got two options. Right, you can go 91 00:04:44,307 --> 00:04:46,667 Speaker 3: down the success path, which is all about what's on 92 00:04:46,707 --> 00:04:49,067 Speaker 3: the field, or you can go down what happens between 93 00:04:49,427 --> 00:04:54,067 Speaker 3: Sunday and Saturday. Right, and for us just looking success 94 00:04:54,107 --> 00:04:56,867 Speaker 3: on the field, then do we even need fans? Well, 95 00:04:57,147 --> 00:04:59,707 Speaker 3: that's not success for us. Right, So success for us 96 00:04:59,787 --> 00:05:02,227 Speaker 3: is buying in the whole community, buying in the people, 97 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:04,707 Speaker 3: getting them excited, talking about it week to week, getting 98 00:05:04,787 --> 00:05:05,787 Speaker 3: energy around it. 99 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:08,467 Speaker 2: And you can create energy. 100 00:05:08,507 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 3: You can succeed And I know that's going to sound weird, 101 00:05:11,587 --> 00:05:14,467 Speaker 3: but you can succeed by failing, right, You can succeed 102 00:05:14,507 --> 00:05:17,387 Speaker 3: because you learn from your mistakes and you move forward. Right, 103 00:05:17,587 --> 00:05:20,267 Speaker 3: what aims if we finish last and we get four 104 00:05:20,307 --> 00:05:22,827 Speaker 3: people into the English Premiership? Is that a failed season? 105 00:05:23,107 --> 00:05:24,427 Speaker 3: Or in my eyes it wouldn't be right? 106 00:05:25,267 --> 00:05:25,707 Speaker 2: Whatams I? 107 00:05:25,787 --> 00:05:29,307 Speaker 3: We finished first, win the champion our first year and 108 00:05:29,347 --> 00:05:33,107 Speaker 3: then next year we finish fourth? Is that failure to 109 00:05:33,147 --> 00:05:34,707 Speaker 3: win or not? So you know what I mean? So 110 00:05:34,747 --> 00:05:37,947 Speaker 3: it's not in our eyes, it's very much it can't 111 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:42,707 Speaker 3: be about results. We give that responsibility and that privilege 112 00:05:42,747 --> 00:05:45,187 Speaker 3: to the players and they take that how they want 113 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:49,267 Speaker 3: to and you know the coaches, those guys they don't 114 00:05:49,307 --> 00:05:53,107 Speaker 3: want to lose. So it's really, really, in my eyes, 115 00:05:53,147 --> 00:05:55,067 Speaker 3: a silly question to ask what does it look like 116 00:05:55,187 --> 00:05:57,747 Speaker 3: and is it just based around results from our point 117 00:05:57,787 --> 00:06:00,587 Speaker 3: of view? No, it's not just based around results from 118 00:06:00,587 --> 00:06:03,707 Speaker 3: the players point of view. Yes, it's based around results. 119 00:06:03,947 --> 00:06:06,267 Speaker 2: Very good, very good, good approach on and off the field. 120 00:06:06,467 --> 00:06:10,467 Speaker 2: So this afternoon, any of your high profile former rugby 121 00:06:10,467 --> 00:06:11,907 Speaker 2: teammates coming along to game one? 122 00:06:12,987 --> 00:06:16,507 Speaker 3: Yep, yeah, No, if you put some invitations long and wide. 123 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:20,227 Speaker 3: You know, typical rugby guys, they want everything for free, 124 00:06:20,267 --> 00:06:21,707 Speaker 3: and they want a car park and they want me 125 00:06:21,707 --> 00:06:24,347 Speaker 3: to almost carry them in there. But we've got a 126 00:06:24,347 --> 00:06:26,707 Speaker 3: few of the lads upstairs and you know, like anything, 127 00:06:26,747 --> 00:06:28,107 Speaker 3: they just want to have fun. They want to see 128 00:06:28,227 --> 00:06:33,707 Speaker 3: people succeed. I think generally most of us kiwis we 129 00:06:33,747 --> 00:06:35,667 Speaker 3: want to see success and we want to see people 130 00:06:35,907 --> 00:06:38,707 Speaker 3: having fun and excitement around things, because you know, it's 131 00:06:38,747 --> 00:06:40,227 Speaker 3: not easy out there. At the moment, we will feel 132 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:42,027 Speaker 3: for everyone, right and we've we've got to stick in 133 00:06:42,067 --> 00:06:46,027 Speaker 3: and moments like this to get some excitement is just 134 00:06:46,107 --> 00:06:49,107 Speaker 3: really really special for everyone, So good to have them 135 00:06:49,107 --> 00:06:51,267 Speaker 3: all here and good to see the smiles and good 136 00:06:51,307 --> 00:06:53,987 Speaker 3: to see a whole wide range of sports men and 137 00:06:54,027 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 3: women come out to watch. 138 00:06:55,627 --> 00:06:57,987 Speaker 2: And I know we're game by game with Brisbane this afternoon, 139 00:06:58,027 --> 00:07:00,667 Speaker 2: but a couple of weeks down the track, your first 140 00:07:00,747 --> 00:07:03,867 Speaker 2: visit to Wellington for the derby. Then early December it'll 141 00:07:03,907 --> 00:07:05,987 Speaker 2: be Phoenix coming the other way for the first derby 142 00:07:05,987 --> 00:07:07,827 Speaker 2: at Mount Smart. How much you're looking forward to those 143 00:07:07,907 --> 00:07:09,307 Speaker 2: games against Wellington Phoenix. 144 00:07:10,387 --> 00:07:14,387 Speaker 3: The rivalry between the Phoenix and Auckland f C is 145 00:07:14,467 --> 00:07:18,267 Speaker 3: going to be huge. They are a great supporter club, 146 00:07:18,307 --> 00:07:20,627 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, They've been in this league 147 00:07:20,667 --> 00:07:22,947 Speaker 3: for a long long time and we just want to 148 00:07:22,987 --> 00:07:26,147 Speaker 3: see a great old rivalry. But you know it's slightly different, 149 00:07:26,227 --> 00:07:29,227 Speaker 3: right You've got the Phoenix there and Wellington, but then 150 00:07:29,267 --> 00:07:31,507 Speaker 3: you've got Auckland f C. But it's not really Auckland 151 00:07:31,547 --> 00:07:34,547 Speaker 3: f C. It's more the nation's team. So you've got 152 00:07:34,987 --> 00:07:38,547 Speaker 3: people from Dunedin, people from christ Church, people from all 153 00:07:38,587 --> 00:07:42,547 Speaker 3: over New Zealand supporting Auckland against the Phoenix. So you 154 00:07:42,587 --> 00:07:44,787 Speaker 3: know that derby is going to be really, really good. 155 00:07:44,827 --> 00:07:47,707 Speaker 3: And I promote everyone from all over the country to 156 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:50,107 Speaker 3: where blue and Black against the Fois. 157 00:07:50,427 --> 00:07:53,427 Speaker 2: It's the way to stoke the embers. You must expect though, 158 00:07:53,467 --> 00:07:57,107 Speaker 2: that there are some Aucklanders who have supported Wellington Phoenix 159 00:07:57,147 --> 00:07:59,627 Speaker 2: for what close to twenty years now who are going 160 00:07:59,707 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 2: to stick with them. They're going to remain Phoenix fans 161 00:08:02,107 --> 00:08:03,827 Speaker 2: and not jump across. 162 00:08:04,387 --> 00:08:07,187 Speaker 3: They'll be jumping over and supporting the blue black of 163 00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:10,307 Speaker 3: the Black Nights. Mate, that's that simple. I don't think 164 00:08:10,307 --> 00:08:13,547 Speaker 3: they've really got a choice, to be honest. But here's 165 00:08:13,587 --> 00:08:16,547 Speaker 3: the best part about life. You make your own choices, eh. 166 00:08:16,587 --> 00:08:18,507 Speaker 3: And at the end of the day, that's what we want. 167 00:08:18,587 --> 00:08:21,667 Speaker 3: We want people to be fully engaged in this football 168 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:24,347 Speaker 3: team for the right reason and if you're. 169 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:26,467 Speaker 2: In it throughout. 170 00:08:26,067 --> 00:08:29,467 Speaker 3: Thick and thin, that's who we want, right And you know, 171 00:08:29,747 --> 00:08:33,187 Speaker 3: I'm not here to persuade anyone who they want to support. 172 00:08:33,227 --> 00:08:36,307 Speaker 3: I'm just here to make, you know, encourage people to 173 00:08:36,867 --> 00:08:39,507 Speaker 3: have some fun on who they support. But I don't 174 00:08:39,507 --> 00:08:40,707 Speaker 3: see why you wouldn't support us. 175 00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:44,467 Speaker 2: Wonderful, a great day ahead, an exciting day. Alli. Congrats 176 00:08:44,467 --> 00:08:46,707 Speaker 2: on everything you've done to bring this to fruition you 177 00:08:46,787 --> 00:08:48,787 Speaker 2: and the other members of the ownership group. I hope 178 00:08:48,787 --> 00:08:50,707 Speaker 2: it's a fantastic day for you. Thanks for having a chat. 179 00:08:50,827 --> 00:08:53,707 Speaker 2: Cheers buddy and everyone have fun today. Stay safe, yeah, 180 00:08:53,707 --> 00:08:56,227 Speaker 2: you stay safe to Ellie, I know you will. Allie 181 00:08:56,227 --> 00:09:01,147 Speaker 2: Williams there stoking the embers. I'm interested actually in what 182 00:09:01,227 --> 00:09:04,867 Speaker 2: Auckland based fans will do. Auckland based Phoenix fans, that 183 00:09:04,987 --> 00:09:08,187 Speaker 2: is what they will do because up until now, up 184 00:09:08,267 --> 00:09:13,307 Speaker 2: until today, they've only had Wellington Phoenix as their professional club, 185 00:09:13,307 --> 00:09:15,587 Speaker 2: and whenever the Phoenix have brought games to Auckland, which 186 00:09:15,667 --> 00:09:19,467 Speaker 2: they have regularly over the period of their life, which 187 00:09:19,547 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 2: is now eighteen years, they've always been really well supported 188 00:09:22,347 --> 00:09:25,787 Speaker 2: up here. There have always been big crowds to Phoenix 189 00:09:25,827 --> 00:09:30,187 Speaker 2: games at Mount Smart or Eden Park. I think they 190 00:09:30,267 --> 00:09:32,347 Speaker 2: might have played to their play game in Albany. I'm 191 00:09:32,387 --> 00:09:34,067 Speaker 2: going back a little bit. I think they might have. 192 00:09:34,387 --> 00:09:37,987 Speaker 2: There were always a lot of big crowds, big crowds, 193 00:09:38,187 --> 00:09:41,467 Speaker 2: and so there were Phoenix fans in Auckland. What are 194 00:09:41,467 --> 00:09:43,667 Speaker 2: those fans going to do when the derby's here? They 195 00:09:43,747 --> 00:09:46,107 Speaker 2: might come along watch Aukland FC every you know, because 196 00:09:46,387 --> 00:09:49,987 Speaker 2: geographically they're here, right, but what are they going to 197 00:09:50,027 --> 00:09:50,667 Speaker 2: do with the derby? 198 00:09:51,347 --> 00:09:54,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 199 00:09:54,627 --> 00:09:58,027 Speaker 1: to news talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 200 00:09:58,067 --> 00:09:59,587 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio