ASB National League
Dunedin, 2011-12

Footballsouth and Otago United
Rab Smith

Footballsouth and Otago United continued to move closer at a club delegates meeting held this week at Sport Otago on Tuesday evening.

An earlier meeting in August sent clubs away to consider
a levy which would ensure the future of national league football in the Federation which covers an area from Oamaru to Invercargill.

The meeting was totally in agreement that a presence was required in the national competition so that young players could benefit from  national exposure, and in fact Tristan Prattley’s and Darren Overton’s selection into New Zealand’s Olympic training squad was quoted as a good example of that exposure.

An Otago United financial budget was presented to allay fears regarding that clubs erratic finances in recent years, and United’s Chairman Dave Lamont assured the meeting that this season should present no insurmountable financial problems.

Lamont said,’ Our operating budget has gone down from over $400,000 to a third of that.  We still rely too heavily on moneys received as Grants which make up 70% of our budget, and aim to rectify that situation.’

Almost all other football federations support their national league sides with a player levy, and Canterbury was quoted as having had severe financial difficulties until a player levy was applied.

Otago’s financial problems are far from unique, and only two or three of other national league franchises are without financial problems.

Club financial support for the Otago United side has not been good, and in fact this season only 22 season tickets have been sold. However having matches at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium is expected to attract a greater spread of spectators.

( Tickets are still available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or otagounitedfootball@gmail.com )

Otago United board member Phil Cunningham hopes that the season ticket total can rise to 200 or over, and with the anticipated player levy could bring in early funds to smooth the clubs cash flow.

The suggested levy would be $10 for senior and masters players, and $5 for all juniors.

Cunningham said,’ In an ideal world, we should be able to appoint coaching staff by April, then have them scout the winter competition for players capable of achieving national league skills.’

‘ In recent years we have made late coaching appointments, just before the ASB Premiership is due to start, and player preparation has suffered due to time constraints.’

Footballsouth Chairman Dougal McGowan recognized the value to southern football of a national league presence, as the tip of a pyramid of football coaching, which includes extensive junior coaching, clinics and academies,  tours to Singapore for U15s, the Milk Cup for U17s, and on to the ASB National Youth league.

Next years Milk Cup squad which will compete in Northern Ireland in July, is also expected to provide high level opposition, and to that end, the meeting discussed coach Neil Mackenzie’s squad competing regularly in local senior football.

‘ This progressive structure is in place, and it  can only get better. Having a team in the ASB Premiership, gives thousands of aspiring young players a target to aim at,’ said McGowan, ( pic left. )

Footballsouth will examine feedback from clubs in the new year, and make a decision regarding the application of a levy.