Youngheart Manawatu

About the ASB PRemiership

 

ASB Premiership  Format

The ASB Premiership comprises eight franchise teams or entities.  From Otago United in the south to Auckland City and Waitakere United in the north, most areas of the country are covered or have some relationship with the competition.

A two-round championship format applies, with the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs at season’s end. The ‘minor championship’ winner will play 4th place for a berth in the final with positions 2 and 3 playing off in a semi final to find their opposition.

Points are allocated in the usual fashion with three for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.

There is no promotion/relegation into or out of the ASB Premiership. Teams are granted a 3-year licence with annual reviews against set criteria. While it is not envisaged that there will be any change, teams do run the risk of losing their licence should they fail in the criteria checks.

THE ASB PREMIERSHIP - 34 YEARS IN THE MAKING

The ASB Premiership was the result of 2 years of development, sparked by a review of the National League that was first signalled in the 2002 NZS Business Plan. The reasons for the review in the first place were many but the number one reason was obvious to all: Too many clubs were going broke trying to maintain national league status or in some cases, in trying to attain national league status.

Since this inception in 1970, Soccer’s National League has been all things to all people. For every champion there was a team of strugglers; for every boom gate there was a pitiful turnout; for every good import there was an overweight liar getting off the plane. In short, the national league through the years has been hit or miss, with an equal share of each.

Late in 2002/03 season, New Zealand said enough and instigated a thorough review of the existing competition. Former journalist Russell Gray, former All White and national league regular through the 70’s Ian Ormond, more recent players in Roger Gray  and Jason New were joined by New Zealand Soccer representatives Bill MacGowan, Andrew Dewhurst and Alex Hayton to once and for all identify the national leagues good and bad characteristics and subsequently the way forward.

The end result was the ASB Premiership, a franchise-based invitation-only competition with strict criteria working to meet clear objectives from the national body’s point of view. Key objectives to the new competition were established:

- Improve financial viability and long term sustainability

- Improve standard of play

- Improve standard of coaching

- Improve standard of facilities for players, fans, media, sponsors

- Improve media profile

- Establish the role of a national competition with regards player development and pathways

THE TEAMS

There are eight teams in the ASB Premiership .

Auckland City - Head Coach: Ramon Tribulietx

Waitakere United - Head Coach: Neil Emblen

Waikato FC - Head Coach: Declan Edge

Hawke's Bay United - Head Coach: Matt Chandler

Youngheart Manawatu - Head Coach: Stu Jacobs

Team Wellington - Head Coach: Matt Calcott

Canterbury United - Head Coach: Keith Braithwaite

Otago United - Head Coach: Richard Murray

THE COACHING STANDARDS

In line with the stated objective to improve the standard of coaching by the way of the ASB Premiership, the criteria states that Head Coaches must have a minimum qualification of the International Team Coaching Licence from the NZF Coaching and Education Scheme.

Given that this course is a year-long commitment, some leeway has been provided in that Head Coaches must at least be working towards that qualification by the commencement of the first season.

Not only does this ensure a high standard of coaching and up to date knowledge right across the league, it will encourage all coaches to aspire to achieve qualifications and in turn pass on the latest techniques and information to players of all ages.

Pathways to the top should not be the exclusive domain of players, NZF has addressed that with a comprehensive Coaching and Education Scheme.

THE DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS

In line with the objective of developing players along an international player pathway, it was established every early in the planning that teach squad of 23 players will be joined by 5 ‘Youth Development Players’.

These players must be ages under 20 and be selected in consultation with New Zealand Football Technical Department. They are not selected as a token gesture, rather they must be identifies by each Head Coach as being able to contribute to the squad on their own playing merits.

By introducing this ruling, New Zealand Football is safeguarding the pathway for talented young players all around New Zealand that have been identified through New Zealand Football player pathway and academy programmes. This is a clear commitment to the young talent and with it the future health of the game at International level. It is expected that many of these players will be candidates for New Zealand Football's FIFA International Age Group representative teams (U17, U20, U23).

For all further information regarding the ASB Premiership, contact Glyn Taylor at New Zealand Football: glyn.taylor@nzfootball.co.nz