Auckland FC impress in Australia Cup debut, beating Gold Coast Knights

4 days ago

Auckland FC have made untroubled progress in the Australia Cup.
In their debut in the knockout competition, the reigning A-League Premiers dispatched the Gold Coast Knights 4-0 on Tuesday night.
They led 3-0 at halftime – helped by a rocket start with a goal after 35 seconds– before they consolidated

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Auckland stadiums: Having four separate venues is unsustainable

NZ Herald

a day ago

NZ Herald

Auckland stadiums: Having four separate venues is unsustainable

Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray were backing the proposed Auckland Arena at Western Springs. Photo / Supplied The proposal was curious in that: Auckland FC's debut season averaged 18,101 attendees yet it proposed a 12,500-capacity stadium with TAU acknowledging 'larger games would still require the capacity of Mt Smart or Eden Park'. The location lacked critical infrastructure, including hospitality venues, public transport links, public car parking and crowd dispersal routes for the proposed capacity. A '$200m-$300m' cost estimate presented a substantial $100m gap, suggesting cursory planning. The per-seat cost was significantly below Te Kaha in Christchurch, even accounting for the absence of a roof. It's worth wondering: Why was TAU supporting the building of another stadium when it contradicts 15 years of consistent advice the council has received? In 2020, a review of Auckland Council's resources led by Miriam Dean stated: 'The harsh economic reality is Auckland neither needs nor can afford four stadiums.' The Long-Term Plan 2024–2034 provides for $146.3m of ratepayer money just to maintain (not improve) the aging stadium network. This pattern of inaction isn't new. In 2006, the government offered to fully fund a waterfront stadium. Remarkably, the then-Auckland Regional Council rejected this proposal, turning down what would likely be well over $1b (from taxpayers) in today's money, preferring to maintain four aging stadiums (funded by ratepayers). One key aim of the Super City amalgamation in 2010 was to rationalise water, transport and the four 'main stadiums'. A 2019 confidential presentation to council highlighted issues with the region's stadium stock, noting 'under-utilisation leading to poor financial outcomes'. Councillors were told 'doing nothing is not an option'. In 2023, when the council looked for expressions of interest to develop a new 'Main Auckland Stadium', they reiterated Dean's key point: 'Auckland neither needs nor can afford four stadiums.' We should learn from other cities. Warriors fans at Allianz stadium, where league, rugby and football teams all play. Photo / Photosport In Sydney (population 5.5m), Allianz Stadium is home to the Waratahs (rugby), Roosters (league) and Sydney FC (football). In Brisbane (population 2.8m), Suncorp Stadium hosts four professional sports team across rugby, league and football. In Melbourne (population 5.3m), impressively 10 AFL teams collectively use just two stadiums, the MCG and Marvel. These stadiums also host international matches, concerts and community events. Contrast this with Auckland (population just 1.7m) where, remarkably, we could have seen four professional sports teams across four disparate stadiums (Blues at Eden Park, Warriors at Mt Smart, Auckland FC at Western Springs and Moana Pasifika at Albany). How could any stadium (or business) be fully utilised or financially sustainable with just 13 regular season games (Auckland FC) annually – effectively guaranteed to be 'open for business' less than 4% of the year? These four stadiums also compete with each other for the small number of concerts that come to Auckland. Of course, the condition of the stadiums means many world-class performers simply bypass Auckland entirely, limiting Down Under tours to superior Australian venues. When artists such as Adele have to perform in torrential rain at Mt Smart, Taylor Swift's decision to skip Auckland in 2024 becomes entirely understandable. Adele soaks up the rain at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. In the eight months since it was granted consent for 12 concerts a year, Eden Park has only hosted one artist, Luke Combs. For 2026, only the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been announced. The loss of major events costs Auckland money through the hospitality, accommodation, transport and retail sectors. The financial implications for ratepayers are stark. They face mounting maintenance and operational expenses, while construction costs for any new stadium escalate. Meanwhile, we're counting the lost revenue from those lost events. With Christchurch's world-class Te Kaha Stadium opening in 2026 and already revitalising the city, Auckland will become the only major Australasian city not to open a modern stadium this century. Te Kaha, in Christchurch, is due to open next year. Photo / Christchurch City Council The Long-Term Plan allocates $16b for water, $14.5b for transport, and $4.2b for community and parks. Yet while other cities have invested in this vital cultural infrastructure, Auckland remains held back by the legacy of four disparate, underutilised and ageing stadiums. Auckland generates ample content for a premier venue. Imagine a modern covered stadium hosting Taylor Swift, the Warriors, Blues, Auckland FC and Moana Pasifika, national teams in black, unlimited concerts and community festivals such as the Pasifika, Diwali or Lantern festivals. If situated on the waterfront, the venue could also host the prestigious sailing events that have made Auckland the renowned 'City of Sails'. Hiroki Sakai, Ardie Savea, Taylor Swift, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Michaela Brake The cultural and economic benefits to the city would be transformative. This vision is entirely achievable, as every other major city in Australasia has shown. It's time for Auckland to emulate Wellington, Dunedin and now Christchurch in charting a pathway which reflects a visionary and aspirational Auckland investing strategically for future generations. Rather than remaining constrained by legacy, shoestring maintenance, and decades of inaction, perhaps the rise of Christchurch's impressive Te Kaha Stadium can finally focus Auckland on the advice urged by experts for 15 years. We can emulate Wellington, Dunedin and now Christchurch in charting a pathway which reflects a visionary and aspirational Auckland investing strategically for future generations. Auckland neither needs nor can afford four stadiums... but surely it makes sense to have one great one. Richard Dellabarca was head of the Wynyard Point consortium which proposed a new stadium built on the Auckland waterfront.

Phoenix hire former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns

Otago Daily Times

3 days ago

Otago Daily Times

Phoenix hire former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns

Bev Priestman, the former head coach of Canada's women's football team who was banned for her role in drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics, has been named as head coach of the Phoenix women's team. Priestman, who also guided Canada to Olympic glory in Tokyo, has signed a two-year deal. She replaces Paul Temple who left following the conclusion of the last A-League season. Priestman recently finished serving a one-year ban from any football-related activity for her role in the Canadian team's misuse of drones at last year's Paris Olympics. Football's world governing FIFA suspended Priestman after an investigation revealed that she along with other coaching staff used a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session at the Olympics. Following an independent review of the incident by Canada Soccer, Priestman was permanently stood down from the head coaching role. Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the club was thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. "We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football," Morrison said. "We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. "Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix." Priestman had previously worked as head of football with New Zealand Football and mentored current Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne. In total Priestman has coached at four FIFA Women's World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIFA youth world cups. She's twice been shortlisted for the Best FIFA women's coach award and holds the world's most prestigious coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence. "Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix," Morrison said. Priestman said she was grateful for the opportunity. "Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country," Priestman said. "Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women's team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special. "On the pitch I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats." Morrison said the signing of Priestman was a big move for the club. "Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. "Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia." It is a full circle moment for Priestman, who 16 years ago headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to be New Zealand Football's director of football development and played a pivotal role in the award-winning Whole of Football Plan.

NZ Herald

4 days ago

NZ Herald