KEY POINTS:
There are plenty (mainly men) close to the game in New Zealand who, for years, struggled to take women's soccer seriously, dismissing it as little better than a social kick in the park for girls wanting to play a sport other than netball.
The national body was always
quick to point out that playing numbers suggested more girls were playing their sport than any other and that one day women's soccer could become the next "big thing" in New Zealand sport.
That day, with the backing of a well thought out strategic plan, is getting closer. Already it appears there is a ready-made support base waiting to be part of the new wave of women's football in New Zealand.
New Zealand Football, under a new management team, can point to six months of, while not great results, plenty of positives which suggest they are well-placed to push on.
The plaudits which followed the hosting of Fifa's inaugural Under-17 Women's World Cup were deserved and led to suggestions from Fifa that further tournaments could well be headed this way.
Such recognition makes the hard work worthwhile but the shop window remains the onfield performance.
While none of the three women's teams in action this year progressed beyond pool play, their efforts drew deserved commendation and showed the carefully planned programmes were on the mark.
In the latter part of 2008, New Zealand women competed in three Fifa tournaments. In nine matches at the Beijing Olympics, the under-17 and under-20 World Cups, they won two, drew two and lost five - four of those by the odd goal. The only blowout came in the 4-0 loss to eventual Olympic gold medallists the United States.
Along the way, luck and some refereeing decisions did not go New Zealand's way, but NZF chairman Frank van Hattum refuses to dwell on what might have been. He, like his board and staff, have their sights set on "higher and better", determined the senior women will soon be a top 10/15 contender.
The national body feels it can count on full support from Sparc and the Government. Early discussions with the funding agency have been positive.
John Herdman quit as under-20 coach after this week's heartbreaking tournament-ending draw with England in Santiago. While he will continue with the senior side through to the 2011 World Cup, the search is on for his replacement for the Junior Ferns.
Herdman is keen to see a woman coach appointed to the role and while Van Hattum will not be drawn on the subject, it appears Herdman's assistant Ali Grant is favoured to step up.
Next month's board meeting will look at that and other appointments and perhaps take the first steps in expressing interest in future hosting rights including the 2013 Under-20 Men's World Cup and the 2015 Women's World Cup.
They must also address the weak women's domestic competitions, giving them a much-needed boost. The only hiccup to that could be the loss of key players overseas, such has been their impact.
The onfield efforts by the women have shown New Zealand are worthy hosts for big tournaments. That would not have happened if New Zealand had turned their back on Oceania and followed Australia into Asia.
As top dogs in the confederation, New Zealand have the chance to continue to play on the world stage.
That is not lost on Van Hattum and his chief executive Michael Glading, who both stress "our future right now is with Oceania". Why wouldn't it be?
Five New Zealand teams will have played at Fifa tournaments this year. Many countries, including Australia, can't boast such a record.
Our women have plenty to thank for that.