1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,667 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zb preferred. 3 00:00:13,267 --> 00:00:17,547 Speaker 2: Eight football clubs for the inaugural OFC Professional League have 4 00:00:17,667 --> 00:00:21,707 Speaker 2: been confirmed by Oceania Football. The first ever professional football 5 00:00:21,747 --> 00:00:23,787 Speaker 2: league in the Oceania region will kick off on the 6 00:00:23,827 --> 00:00:26,587 Speaker 2: tenth of January next year. It will also serve as 7 00:00:26,587 --> 00:00:29,947 Speaker 2: Oceanny's qualifier for the twenty twenty nine Fee for Club 8 00:00:29,987 --> 00:00:33,627 Speaker 2: World Cup, providing a direct pathway for the region's clubs 9 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:37,107 Speaker 2: onto the global stage. The clubs were chosen based on 10 00:00:37,227 --> 00:00:42,947 Speaker 2: the recommendations of an independent club licensing committee. The recommendations 11 00:00:42,987 --> 00:00:46,747 Speaker 2: have been approved by the OFC Executive Committee and they're 12 00:00:46,747 --> 00:00:50,027 Speaker 2: still subject to the final stages of the licensing and 13 00:00:50,147 --> 00:00:54,627 Speaker 2: compliance process before full confirmation. The eight sides are the 14 00:00:54,667 --> 00:00:58,507 Speaker 2: Buller Boys FC from Fiji, Hekkarta United FC from Papua 15 00:00:58,547 --> 00:01:02,027 Speaker 2: New Guinea, the Solomon Kings from the Solomon Islands, Tahiti 16 00:01:02,227 --> 00:01:08,347 Speaker 2: United Vandawatu FC, South Melbourne FC representing Australia, and two 17 00:01:08,347 --> 00:01:12,307 Speaker 2: New Zealand sites, A League club Auckland FC and Southern 18 00:01:12,427 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 2: League club christ Church United. Ryan Edwards is christ Church 19 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,107 Speaker 2: United general manager and coach of the first team he 20 00:01:19,187 --> 00:01:21,787 Speaker 2: joins us. Now, congratulations on this, Ryan, How big a 21 00:01:21,907 --> 00:01:23,547 Speaker 2: day is this for your club? 22 00:01:24,267 --> 00:01:27,587 Speaker 3: Oh, this is massive for us. This is excuse me, 23 00:01:28,107 --> 00:01:30,187 Speaker 3: thanks having me on the show. But yeah, this is 24 00:01:31,427 --> 00:01:35,307 Speaker 3: eleven years in the making. Slaver started the academy here 25 00:01:35,307 --> 00:01:40,987 Speaker 3: in twenty fourteen and here we are even years later 26 00:01:41,067 --> 00:01:41,867 Speaker 3: with pro Football. 27 00:01:42,787 --> 00:01:45,427 Speaker 2: What were the main features of your pitch to be 28 00:01:45,507 --> 00:01:46,987 Speaker 2: involved in this new competition. 29 00:01:48,707 --> 00:01:53,987 Speaker 3: Our main pitch was collaborating with the South Island and 30 00:01:54,107 --> 00:01:58,107 Speaker 3: creating a South Island team that unites the whole of 31 00:01:58,107 --> 00:02:02,347 Speaker 3: the region together and a team that collaborates with the 32 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:06,107 Speaker 3: whole Oceania region as well, and hence our partnership with 33 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:09,827 Speaker 3: sc IS to crap pathways to the Oceania region. 34 00:02:11,467 --> 00:02:17,187 Speaker 2: How will you ensure the collaboration in South Island terms? 35 00:02:18,267 --> 00:02:20,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, so a big thing for us is working with 36 00:02:20,907 --> 00:02:23,147 Speaker 3: them to get with all the clubs in the South 37 00:02:23,147 --> 00:02:25,827 Speaker 3: Island to get their ideas around what collaboration looks like 38 00:02:25,867 --> 00:02:29,467 Speaker 3: from their perspective, as opposed to us dictating what collaboration 39 00:02:29,547 --> 00:02:34,987 Speaker 3: looks like. So we had a zoom call with every 40 00:02:34,987 --> 00:02:37,867 Speaker 3: club in the South Island yesterday before the announcement was 41 00:02:37,907 --> 00:02:42,107 Speaker 3: made around what this opportunity might look like for the 42 00:02:42,147 --> 00:02:44,747 Speaker 3: South Island. Then got their thoughts around what they would 43 00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:46,507 Speaker 3: like to see and we're going to continue a dialogue 44 00:02:47,147 --> 00:02:50,187 Speaker 3: over the next mixed six months and then into the 45 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:53,987 Speaker 3: future around what this league means, what this opportunity means 46 00:02:54,027 --> 00:02:54,707 Speaker 3: to the South Island. 47 00:02:55,387 --> 00:02:57,347 Speaker 2: What do you think it could mean for the South Island? 48 00:02:57,347 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 2: Are we talking about you know, players from all of 49 00:02:59,427 --> 00:03:03,787 Speaker 2: those clubs coming to trial to play in this new league. 50 00:03:04,187 --> 00:03:07,947 Speaker 2: Are there wider collaboration areas possible here? 51 00:03:08,987 --> 00:03:11,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's so many different things that we can do 52 00:03:11,507 --> 00:03:14,707 Speaker 3: in the space to really ignore the football in this region. 53 00:03:14,867 --> 00:03:19,707 Speaker 3: So from player opportunities working with clubs to build a 54 00:03:19,787 --> 00:03:22,707 Speaker 3: South Island team where homegrown talent in South Island can 55 00:03:23,347 --> 00:03:25,427 Speaker 3: all come to one place and play football at the 56 00:03:25,467 --> 00:03:30,467 Speaker 3: professional level, but also coach development opportunities, club development opportunities. 57 00:03:31,267 --> 00:03:34,387 Speaker 3: We want to do a road show and take the 58 00:03:34,467 --> 00:03:38,787 Speaker 3: team and the players and the club around the South Island. Yeah, 59 00:03:38,787 --> 00:03:40,627 Speaker 3: there's so many different things that we can do in 60 00:03:40,627 --> 00:03:42,827 Speaker 3: the space that I think is quite exciting for the region. 61 00:03:43,867 --> 00:03:47,027 Speaker 2: Is this a step towards potential future inclusion in the 62 00:03:47,067 --> 00:03:48,747 Speaker 2: A League? 63 00:03:49,547 --> 00:03:52,507 Speaker 3: I assain we wouldn't rule that off. The tables. It's 64 00:03:52,547 --> 00:03:55,827 Speaker 3: something that we've i guess not headen for many years 65 00:03:55,867 --> 00:03:58,027 Speaker 3: that we do want a pathway to the A League 66 00:03:58,867 --> 00:04:01,347 Speaker 3: in the future, and now that we have the IFC 67 00:04:01,547 --> 00:04:06,307 Speaker 3: Pro League, that's our focus and where the A League is. 68 00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:09,467 Speaker 3: I think that there's an opportunity for us or someone 69 00:04:09,467 --> 00:04:11,467 Speaker 3: else in the South in their future. I think that's 70 00:04:11,467 --> 00:04:12,907 Speaker 3: an incredibly exciting opportunity. 71 00:04:13,227 --> 00:04:15,667 Speaker 2: Can you just clarify Ryan around the timing of this, 72 00:04:15,787 --> 00:04:19,067 Speaker 2: So it starts in January early January next year, therefore 73 00:04:19,147 --> 00:04:22,427 Speaker 2: will no doubt run across the front of your winter 74 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 2: pre season and maybe into the Winter league as well. 75 00:04:24,867 --> 00:04:27,227 Speaker 2: So what are we talking about him? Is it two 76 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:30,507 Speaker 2: separate sides playing for Christ jes United, one in the 77 00:04:30,547 --> 00:04:32,787 Speaker 2: OFC Professional League in one domestically. 78 00:04:33,867 --> 00:04:35,747 Speaker 3: Yes, that's our intention. We have to work through with 79 00:04:35,787 --> 00:04:39,147 Speaker 3: New Zealm Football exactly how they see things working as well. 80 00:04:39,187 --> 00:04:43,587 Speaker 3: But from our perspective as the league for the Pro 81 00:04:43,667 --> 00:04:46,187 Speaker 3: leagueal start in early January and then go through to 82 00:04:46,187 --> 00:04:51,147 Speaker 3: the end of May, and then we will have another 83 00:04:51,187 --> 00:04:53,067 Speaker 3: team playing in the National League at the same time. 84 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:57,907 Speaker 2: How deep is the appetite for professional football in the 85 00:04:57,947 --> 00:04:59,187 Speaker 2: South Island in your view? 86 00:05:00,067 --> 00:05:06,467 Speaker 3: That's massive. I think clubs are increasingly understanding of what 87 00:05:06,547 --> 00:05:09,947 Speaker 3: professional football can bring to the country. I think you've 88 00:05:09,947 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 3: seen with the Auckland I see and how they explode 89 00:05:11,627 --> 00:05:13,587 Speaker 3: on the scene, all the great things they are doing 90 00:05:13,587 --> 00:05:16,547 Speaker 3: for the Auckland in northern region. The same with the Phoenix, 91 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:21,707 Speaker 3: that it really does propel and excite players as well 92 00:05:21,747 --> 00:05:24,147 Speaker 3: as supporters and just grows the game. So for the 93 00:05:24,187 --> 00:05:28,347 Speaker 3: South Islands, its just an incredible opportunity. I think. Also 94 00:05:28,547 --> 00:05:31,907 Speaker 3: something that I'm passionate about myself is just this idea 95 00:05:31,947 --> 00:05:35,627 Speaker 3: of igniting our young players to see a halfway close 96 00:05:35,627 --> 00:05:37,427 Speaker 3: to home where they don't have to leave the island 97 00:05:37,787 --> 00:05:40,467 Speaker 3: have a shot at professional football. I think it's just 98 00:05:40,507 --> 00:05:45,507 Speaker 3: an amazing powerful vehicle for growth in our young players. 99 00:05:45,627 --> 00:05:48,547 Speaker 2: Yeah, you've landed on such a good point because up 100 00:05:48,547 --> 00:05:51,827 Speaker 2: till now, to play professional football or to get into academy, 101 00:05:52,427 --> 00:05:54,827 Speaker 2: an academy at a professional club, yet to leave the 102 00:05:54,827 --> 00:05:58,027 Speaker 2: island right had to leave the three. The fact that 103 00:05:58,147 --> 00:06:00,787 Speaker 2: now players won't have to do that. I mean that's 104 00:06:00,827 --> 00:06:02,107 Speaker 2: a huge part of this, isn't it. 105 00:06:02,547 --> 00:06:04,107 Speaker 3: It's a massive part of it, and I think it was 106 00:06:04,187 --> 00:06:05,667 Speaker 3: a big part of our bit as well as that 107 00:06:05,707 --> 00:06:08,987 Speaker 3: the whole purpose of this league is to grow professional 108 00:06:08,987 --> 00:06:12,907 Speaker 3: football in areas of Oceana that don't have it. And 109 00:06:13,707 --> 00:06:15,507 Speaker 3: you know, as we said that this is an island 110 00:06:15,547 --> 00:06:18,507 Speaker 3: of one point two million people and there's not professional 111 00:06:18,507 --> 00:06:21,947 Speaker 3: football here, and there's a lot of research being done 112 00:06:21,987 --> 00:06:26,787 Speaker 3: that the closer the pathway is to the young player 113 00:06:27,467 --> 00:06:31,467 Speaker 3: growing and loving the game is the more they believe 114 00:06:31,547 --> 00:06:34,667 Speaker 3: in the opportunity. And so if we have a professional 115 00:06:34,707 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 3: team here in the South Island, with kids from around 116 00:06:37,107 --> 00:06:41,307 Speaker 3: the South Island seeing the players play and being exposed 117 00:06:41,307 --> 00:06:46,307 Speaker 3: to that, than their belief grows because it's attainable for them. 118 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:48,947 Speaker 2: I'm sure you've seen the comments of the Wellington Phoenix 119 00:06:48,987 --> 00:06:53,107 Speaker 2: reacting to their o mission. They've called it nonsensical. What 120 00:06:53,147 --> 00:06:54,827 Speaker 2: do you make of those comments? 121 00:06:57,147 --> 00:07:01,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I think their release kind of speaks for itself. 122 00:07:01,627 --> 00:07:04,987 Speaker 3: But I think the main thing for me is congratulating 123 00:07:05,747 --> 00:07:07,467 Speaker 3: all the teams that have made it. And I think 124 00:07:08,747 --> 00:07:11,547 Speaker 3: also that for me, from what I saw of the process, 125 00:07:11,587 --> 00:07:14,347 Speaker 3: it was I was incredily impressed by the process that 126 00:07:14,467 --> 00:07:18,107 Speaker 3: ifc ran and Stuart Larmon and his team put together, 127 00:07:18,147 --> 00:07:20,587 Speaker 3: I think they've got a lot of experience putting these 128 00:07:21,507 --> 00:07:25,947 Speaker 3: putting processes together for leagues from Asia and Europe, and 129 00:07:26,667 --> 00:07:29,787 Speaker 3: it was a very objective, well won process with the 130 00:07:29,827 --> 00:07:34,027 Speaker 3: criteria being very comprehensive and having an independent panel with 131 00:07:34,067 --> 00:07:37,227 Speaker 3: the experts from around the globe that have no knowledge 132 00:07:37,267 --> 00:07:41,067 Speaker 3: of the New Zealand specific context and just judging it 133 00:07:41,107 --> 00:07:43,867 Speaker 3: on the objectivity in the facts in front of them. 134 00:07:44,627 --> 00:07:49,467 Speaker 3: I think the process was a good one, and you know, 135 00:07:49,507 --> 00:07:51,467 Speaker 3: we were very confident going to this that we had 136 00:07:51,467 --> 00:07:53,347 Speaker 3: a very good but that we've put together. 137 00:07:53,427 --> 00:07:57,267 Speaker 2: Well justified confidence. Indeed. So it's September next week, mate, 138 00:07:58,107 --> 00:07:59,947 Speaker 2: at the clock sticking, what are the next four months 139 00:07:59,947 --> 00:08:00,667 Speaker 2: is gonna look like for you? 140 00:08:02,027 --> 00:08:05,587 Speaker 3: A lot of working, Yeah, a lot to get done. 141 00:08:05,587 --> 00:08:08,267 Speaker 3: It's gonna be crazy. It's such a short time frame 142 00:08:08,467 --> 00:08:11,187 Speaker 3: to get everything together. And I think obviously I a 143 00:08:11,267 --> 00:08:13,427 Speaker 3: now I have acknowledged that from the get go that 144 00:08:13,507 --> 00:08:16,587 Speaker 3: this is a very tight time frame. One year to 145 00:08:16,587 --> 00:08:19,867 Speaker 3: get everything up and running, six months to get your 146 00:08:19,867 --> 00:08:23,427 Speaker 3: submissions to get and then four months to launch into 147 00:08:23,787 --> 00:08:27,787 Speaker 3: pro football is incredibly short timeframe. So it's going to 148 00:08:27,827 --> 00:08:28,467 Speaker 3: be a fun journey. 149 00:08:29,227 --> 00:08:32,787 Speaker 2: Indeed. Well, congratulations on this milestone, very special day for 150 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 2: christ Church United and for football in the South Island. Ryan, 151 00:08:36,267 --> 00:08:37,867 Speaker 2: all the best for the next four months, mate, I 152 00:08:37,867 --> 00:08:39,347 Speaker 2: can't wait to see how it plays out when you 153 00:08:39,347 --> 00:08:41,107 Speaker 2: get underway in early January. 154 00:08:41,547 --> 00:08:43,387 Speaker 3: Appreciate it planning. Cheers mate, No, thank you. 155 00:08:43,307 --> 00:08:47,147 Speaker 2: Mate, Ryan Edwards. Christchurch United general manager and first team 156 00:08:47,467 --> 00:08:51,107 Speaker 2: head coach. So christ Chich United and Auckland FC, two 157 00:08:51,187 --> 00:08:54,987 Speaker 2: of the eighth clubs that will take part. I alluded 158 00:08:54,987 --> 00:08:59,947 Speaker 2: there to a reaction from Wellington Phoenix at their own mission. 159 00:09:00,387 --> 00:09:02,707 Speaker 2: I just want to read from the statement that they 160 00:09:02,707 --> 00:09:06,947 Speaker 2: put out shortly after the eight sides were announced yesterday. 161 00:09:07,827 --> 00:09:11,947 Speaker 2: Club statement on OFC Pro League licensing decision. It says 162 00:09:11,947 --> 00:09:16,227 Speaker 2: the Wellington Phoenix are immensely disappointed to have not been 163 00:09:16,267 --> 00:09:19,987 Speaker 2: selected for participation in the OFC Professional League in twenty 164 00:09:20,027 --> 00:09:22,827 Speaker 2: twenty six. The Phoenix were informed this afternoon that while 165 00:09:22,867 --> 00:09:27,547 Speaker 2: their submission met the minimum licensing requirements, it received a 166 00:09:27,627 --> 00:09:31,307 Speaker 2: lower score than Auckland FC and christ Church United. The 167 00:09:31,347 --> 00:09:33,347 Speaker 2: statement goes on to say, given that the Phoenix is 168 00:09:33,347 --> 00:09:36,427 Speaker 2: the largest professional football club in Oceania, the club is 169 00:09:36,507 --> 00:09:40,867 Speaker 2: digesting OFC's decision and is seeking further information as to 170 00:09:40,947 --> 00:09:44,987 Speaker 2: how both Auckland and christ Church received higher scores. Then 171 00:09:45,027 --> 00:09:48,147 Speaker 2: it quotes Phoenix general manager David dome As saying how 172 00:09:48,187 --> 00:09:51,307 Speaker 2: the Phoenix, as the only professional club in oceany I 173 00:09:51,387 --> 00:09:54,427 Speaker 2: for over fifteen years, could not be included in the 174 00:09:54,427 --> 00:09:59,627 Speaker 2: first OFC Pro League is nonsensical. Says the quote, we 175 00:09:59,707 --> 00:10:03,067 Speaker 2: are considering a judicial review of the process and how 176 00:10:03,067 --> 00:10:06,227 Speaker 2: the licensing decision has been made, and then it says 177 00:10:06,227 --> 00:10:08,227 Speaker 2: the the club won't be making any further comment at 178 00:10:08,267 --> 00:10:10,627 Speaker 2: this time, which is why we can't get comment from 179 00:10:10,667 --> 00:10:15,627 Speaker 2: them on this issue. Since that statement was released, I 180 00:10:15,667 --> 00:10:18,067 Speaker 2: can tell you that the reaction to it has been 181 00:10:20,347 --> 00:10:24,067 Speaker 2: less than favorable. I think in the view of many 182 00:10:24,107 --> 00:10:28,467 Speaker 2: people in the football community, the Phoenix's reaction to their 183 00:10:28,547 --> 00:10:35,867 Speaker 2: own mission has been considered a little bit petulant and 184 00:10:35,987 --> 00:10:39,227 Speaker 2: comes across as being rather entitled. That's the kind of 185 00:10:39,307 --> 00:10:42,387 Speaker 2: the vibe that I'm getting from people who have seen this. 186 00:10:44,067 --> 00:10:50,107 Speaker 2: As Ryan mentioned, they applied for inclusion in this league 187 00:10:50,947 --> 00:10:59,307 Speaker 2: and all applications were considered by an independent club licensing committee. 188 00:10:59,827 --> 00:11:02,467 Speaker 2: All of the bids were scored on a range of 189 00:11:02,507 --> 00:11:07,027 Speaker 2: criteria and at the end of that Auckland and christ 190 00:11:07,107 --> 00:11:11,027 Speaker 2: Church United had higher scores than Wellington. Now that's just 191 00:11:11,107 --> 00:11:17,667 Speaker 2: the broad empirical data level of this. There's clearly other 192 00:11:17,707 --> 00:11:20,947 Speaker 2: things at play here and the Phoenix are right, I think, 193 00:11:20,987 --> 00:11:26,747 Speaker 2: to question their exclusion, but I think what it has 194 00:11:26,827 --> 00:11:28,867 Speaker 2: done is diluted what is a very special day for 195 00:11:28,907 --> 00:11:32,467 Speaker 2: Christchurch United and a very special day for a professional 196 00:11:32,507 --> 00:11:35,987 Speaker 2: footballing pathway in the South Island which up till now 197 00:11:36,307 --> 00:11:40,507 Speaker 2: has not been there. Anyone who had professional aspirations and 198 00:11:40,587 --> 00:11:43,187 Speaker 2: lived in the South Island had to move if they 199 00:11:43,187 --> 00:11:46,987 Speaker 2: were to continue down that path. Now they won't have to, 200 00:11:47,627 --> 00:11:49,027 Speaker 2: certainly not out of the South Island. 201 00:11:49,027 --> 00:11:49,387 Speaker 1: Anyway. 202 00:11:49,587 --> 00:11:50,987 Speaker 2: There's more to come on this, and we don't have 203 00:11:50,987 --> 00:11:55,507 Speaker 2: time to get into it today, but suffice to say 204 00:11:55,547 --> 00:12:01,107 Speaker 2: that I'm not sure Wellington Phoenix have covered themselves in 205 00:12:01,147 --> 00:12:04,467 Speaker 2: glory with their reaction to this. I think it would 206 00:12:04,507 --> 00:12:08,587 Speaker 2: have been a lot more noble and showed humility if 207 00:12:08,627 --> 00:12:14,707 Speaker 2: they had at least congratulated the two successful applicants. Anyway, 208 00:12:14,787 --> 00:12:16,067 Speaker 2: There'll be more to come on this. 209 00:12:16,907 --> 00:12:20,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 210 00:12:20,187 --> 00:12:23,467 Speaker 1: to News Talks at b weekends from midday or follow 211 00:12:23,507 --> 00:12:25,107 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.