Football: Links Ave to host key games

The 2014-2015 ASB Premiership begins on October 25. PHOTO/FILE

Wellington Phoenix have been included in a nine-team national league to contest the 2014-2015 ASB Premiership that again includes WaiBOP United.

The Wanderers SC side, a wider group of New Zealand players continuing preparations for the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015, are included for the second year of their two-season placement.

Mount Maunganui's Links Ave has been allocated two games this season, against Wanderers SC on November 22 and high-profile Waitakere United on December 6, with Rotorua International Stadium hosting one game.

WaiBOP United head coach Peter Smith says the news is good for football in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

"It is positive for the league getting the Phoenix playing in there," Smith said. "The players in the ASB Premiership, if they play well, could get an opportunity with Ernie Merrick's team and it is also good for the profile of the league.

"The Wanderers in there for preparation for the (Under 20) World Cup next year, is a good thing as well to get these lads to play against the highest level domestically."

Smith says Links Ave deserves to get an extra game after successfully hosting the Wanderers last season.

"With the game there last year against the Wanderers, we got a good result and a good crowd. Links Ave is one of the best footballing venues in the region so I think it is good to bring games there, but also to get the Bay of Plenty public to buy into that. It is a big plus to be playing there."

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin is excited at the league's key change in requiring 50 per cent of match-day squads come from players eligible to play for the All Whites.

"We're delighted to have reached the position we have on the format of the 2014-15 ASB Premiership season," Martin said.

"The addition of the Wellington Phoenix team strengthens both the A-League franchise and the overall quality of our national competition which is very important.

"You need only take a look at some of the top nations at the World Cup and all of them, to some extent, can point to a strong domestic competition playing a key role in the success of their national sides and New Zealand is no different."

"The end game is to provide a product which serves as a domestic focal point for the game and inspires all of our respective stakeholders."

The nine-team, two-round ASB Premiership kicks off on October 25 with the top four teams contesting the home and away playoffs before the grand final. The preseason ASB Charity Cup fixture between Auckland City and Team Wellington is on October 19.

Meanwhile, the ASB Youth League will also change format for the 2014-15 season with the competition for Under 20 players adopting a full national one-round league set-up. The 12 franchises involved in the 2013-14 season will again contest the competition.

ASB Premiership 2014-15 (Franchises)

Auckland City FC; Canterbury United; Hawke's Bay United; Southern United; Team Wellington; WaiBOP United; Waitakere United; Wanderers SC; Wellington Phoenix.

ASB Youth League 2014 (Franchises)

Auckland City FC; Auckland United FC; Canterbury United; Hawke's Bay United; Heartland Wairarapa; Manawatu United (formerly YoungHeart Manawatu); Nelson Marlborough Falcons; Southern United; Team Wellington; WaiBOP United; Waitakere United; Wanderers SC.