Soccer: Youth academies proposed as game's future

New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) franchises have been asked to consider establishing youth academies as New Zealand Soccer (NZS) steps up its fight to regain control of the domestic game.

Changes to the player registration system and the extension of the NZFC season have also been mooted as the national body looks to tackle the widespread practice of player payments by clubs involved in regional winter leagues.

The Dominion Post reported today that NZS fear the soaring sums being offered -- Gisborne City alone have confirmed a budget of $250,000 to rebuild the once proud Childers Road club this season -- will cripple the sport financially and undermine the NZFC.

Waitakere United is one NZFC franchise that supports the youth academy concept providing NZS pledge resources.

United spokesman Rex Dawkins said New Zealand's failure to reach the semifinals of the last Oceania under-20 World Cup qualifiers or send a team to the recent under-17 qualifying tournament was proof NZS needed help with youth development.

"New Zealand Soccer should identify players and we should provide them with the best training...not every franchise may be able to justify an academy but there could be, maybe six, in total," Dawkins said.

"At the moment kids are identified, have a one week camp and are sent on their way to (qualifying tournaments in) New Caledonia or where ever and that's it. They're beaten before they start.

"We're the fifth best team in Oceania at under-20 level, why? Because the game is fragmented. I don't think you can point the finger at anyone in particular, I just think the system needs to be tinkered with."

Dawkins can also see merit in NZFC franchises holding player registrations instead of clubs as it would provide a safety valve against player burnout.

However, Team Wellington issued a statement yesterday insisting it was not in the interests of its 20 feeder clubs to support such a move while NZS boss Graham Seatter has dismissed the idea as impractical.

Dawkins said extending the NZFC to four rounds was a "huge issue" that had many financial implications which required careful consideration.

"But in my view, if we're serious about this, then we've got to extend it to four rounds," he said.

"If New Zealand Soccer want to see the game progress, the way to ensure that is to give the NZFC every possible opportunity to grow otherwise we're all wasting our time."

- nzpa