01. INTRODUCING AUCKLAND UNITED FC THE CHANCE TO COMBINE TWO CLUBS - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE CHANCE TO COMBINE TWO CLUBS TOGETHER UNDER A SINGLE UMBRELLA AND CREATE A CLUB FOR THE AGES, WAS TOO BIG AN OPPORTUNITY TO MISS.

Over the past 6 months the executive committees of Three Kings United and Onehunga Sports FC have worked closely together to assess the individual strengths and weaknesses of both clubs, and the rapidly changing landscape of football in New Zealand - working on a structure we believe will be best positioned to excel in the future. The outcome of working together is that the executive committees of both clubs believe that the future lies in the creation of a new club that initially will be focused on the talent pathway from ages 9 through to our seniors. Both executive committees have approved the establishment of a new club that will be known as Auckland United FC. We look forward to your support in this exciting development for football in New Zealand. “FOOTBALL IN NEW ZEALAND IS A CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING ENVIRONMENT AND THIS JOINT VENTURE ALLOWS THREE KINGS AND ONEHUNGA SPORTS TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS MEMBERS. CREATING AUCKLAND UNITED IN 2020 IS A GREAT STEP TOWARDS CREATING A SUSTAINABLE CLUB THAT LOOKS AFTER THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL OUR MEMBERS, WHETHER TALENT OR COMMUNITY PLAYERS” MURRAY HOLDAWAY CHAIRMAN - THREE KINGS UNITED MURRAY HOLDAWAY CHAIRMAN - THREE KINGS UNITED MARK BAILEY PRESIDENT - ONEHUNGA SPORTS

• 01. INTRODUCING AUCKLAND UNITED FC

• 02. THE STATE OF OUR GAME

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUBS OF THE FUTURE WILL BE THOSE THAT ADAPT THEIR STRUCTURES TO ENABLE THEM TO SUCCEED IN THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Football is officially the most played game in New Zealand. There are a lot of positives in our game with rising participation numbers, men’s and women’s national teams competing at FIFA World Cup events and a professional player pathway. However, there are some fundamental issues with the model at the club level. New Zealand Football and the regional federations are working hard to ensure club structures are aligned with their objectives, and delivering a quality experience for players, coaches, club members and supporters of the game. Major issues facing most clubs in Auckland right now are;

• Increased demands for NZF Club licensing
• Revised competition model and youth framework
• Incomplete player pathways
• Financially unsustainable
• Demand for qualified coaches.
• Poor facility development
• Too many clubs supporting low player numbers
• Insufficient number of volunteers
• Overused and overcrowded fields.

“AUCKLAND FOOTBALL IS SUPPORTIVE OF ANY INITIATIVE IN CLUB FOOTBALL WHICH AIMS TO DELIVER SUSTAINABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCE FOR CLUB MEMBERS OF ALL AGES AND STAGES. THIS PROJECT CERTAINLY SETS OUT TO ACHIEVE THOSE OUTCOMES, AND I APPLAUD THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH CLUBS IN CREATING AND EXPLORING A CONCEPT WHICH IS PROGRESSIVE AND TRULY COLLABORATIVE IN NATURE” STEVE UPFOLD - CEO AUCKLAND FOOTBALL FEDERATION

• 03. OUR VISION

AUCKLAND UNITED FC’S VISION IS TO BECOME THE BEST FOOTBALL CLUB IN NEW ZEALAND, WITH A FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE MODEL, THAT PROVIDES GREATER ACCESS TO THE GAME FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND A PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY FOR ALL PLAYERS IN THE AUCKLAND REGION.

#1 ACADEMY IN NEW ZEALAND Auckland United Academy will continue the WPSS tradition of producing New Zealand Internationals and Professional Players from every in-take and create strategic partnership with top clubs and academies from around the world. INCREASED PLAYER NUMBERS Drawing on current player numbers from both clubs, Auckland United FC will have the depth to support Men’s and Women’s player pathways from the first kicks program to the NRFL Premier League. Plus having the numbers to sustain meaningful in-house competitions. ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE BEST COACHES AUFC aspires to attract and retain the best coaches in New Zealand who measure up to international standards. BEST FOOTBALL FACILITIES AUFC want to provide all their members with the best football facilities in Auckland. The best pitches, changing rooms and clubrooms providing a great environment for all. LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY By combining Three Kings United and Onehunga Sports FC’s resources we feel we can build a club with long term financial sustainability. COMMUNITY AND FANS AUFC wants to be the best supported club in New Zealand. We want the club to be a social and sporting hub for our local community, its facilities to be used and enjoyed all year-round, and for there to be large crowds of supporters at both junior and senior games.

• 04. CLUB STRUCTURE

AUFC WILL OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF TEAMS FOR MEN, WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS AND SKILL LEVELS COMPETING IN IN-HOUSE, AUCKLAND-WIDE, AND NATIONAL COMPETITIONS. IN 2020 GRADES 5 TO 8 AND SENIOR SOCIAL TEAMS WILL PLAY UNDER THEIR RESPECTIVE THREE KINGS AND ONEHUNGA BANNERS, WITH FULL TRANSITION EXPECTED IN 2021

PREMIER / RESERVE MEN AUFC will have a team in NRFL Premier division along with a Reserves team. COMMUNITY YOUTH (13-17 YEAR OLDS) In 2020, TKU community (AFF Div 1 down) players will play under the AUFC banner, however nothing much else will change. Onehunga Sports' players will continue to play for Onehunga Sports and there will be no change. PREMIER GIRLS (13-16 YEAR OLDS) AUFC will have teams in Premier 13th, 14th, 16th grade girls' competitions. There are some changes coming in 2020, particularly around 14th grade. YOUTH (9-12 YEAR OLDS) Current WPSS players and TKU players will play under the AUFC banner, Onehunga players will stay at Onehunga. Top division teams will be selected from the Auckland United Academy. Most non-academy players will notice little difference in 2020, TKU internal teams will continue as normal. JUNIORS In 2020 there will be no changes for Juniors at Onehunga Sports or at Three Kings United. PREMIER / RESERVE WOMEN AUFC will have a team in NRFL Premier division along with a Reserves team. SOCIAL MEN & WOMEN Onehunga Sports and Three Kings United social mens’ teams will continue to play under their existing clubs in their appropriate leagues. Onehunga social women's team will continue to play as

• Onehunga. Three Kings United Women's

Div 1 team is TBD as it often feeds the Reserves team. METRO & CONFERENCE BOYS (13-17 YEAR OLDS) AUFC will have teams in Metro 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th Grades. We are expecting to be able to field a Conference team in most of those

• grades. Due to Club Licensing Criteria

in 2020 these teams will require participation in Auckland United Academy.

• 05. AUCKLAND UNITED ACADEMY

HAVING BUILT WPSS SOCCER SCHOOL INTO NEW ZEALAND‘S MOST SUCCESSFUL YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME THE TEAM BRING THOSE SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO THE AUCKLAND UNITED ACADEMY.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY For the past 5 years, Wellington Phoenix Soccer School has been New Zealand’s’ most successful youth academy, having produced more than 30 New Zealand age-group internationals. As part of the commitment to the success of Auckland United FC, the current WPSS directors have agreed to re-brand to Auckland United Academy. COACHING PHILOSOPHY The Auckland United Academy will deliver a modern football philosophy with an emphasis on “Aggressive, Intelligent, attacking football”. WPSS delivers this modern and exciting brand of football, underpinned by a fundamental life skills programme to develop young players to achieve both on and off the field. Our full-time elite programme consists of a year-round periodised plan that enables players to develop their individual ability and also team-based tactical awareness. “OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A QUALITY YOUTH ACADEMY AND PLAYER PATHWAY AT ONEHUNGA SPORTS. THE ACADEMY HAS PRODUCED MANY NZ INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS AND

• PROFESSIONALS. WITH AUCKLAND UNITED FC, I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN

TAKE OUR ACADEMY TO ANOTHER LEVEL AND CREATE A NEW ENVIRONMENT THAT EXCITES EVERYONE IN THE FOOTBALL COMMUNITY” HIROSHI MIYAZAWA - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOUR KEY PILLARS PROFFESIONAL COACHES Our coaches are vital in helping young players grow into the players they aspire to be. A developed methodology based on technical, tactical, and cognitive understanding of the game is led by the team. OVERSEAS TOURS Our teams are regularly invited to the best Youth Tournaments all over the world where we have played against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon. PROVEN PATHWAY The Academy has created over 40 New Zealand Internationals across NZ U17, U20, U23 and All Whites as well as 8 Professional players in the last decade. LIFE SKILLS Auckland United Academy is underpinned by a Life Skills programme to ensure we are not only developing good players, but also great people.

• 06. NEXT STEPS AND TIMELINE

THE FINAL STAGES OF APPROVAL PROCESS FOR AUCKLAND UNITED FC ARE:

STAGE ONE New entity approval from executive committee COMPLETE STAGE TWO New entity Incorporated and constitution adopted UNDERWAY STAGE THREE Special General Meeting Announcement COMPLETE STAGE FOUR Amalgamation voting by members MONDAY 18 NOV STAGE FIVE NZ Football and Auckland Football Federation Approval UNDERWAY

TIMELINE NOVEMBER FEBRUARY MARCH

AUCKLAND UNITED FC IS LAUNCHED Club Planning is underway, branding has been completed and consent from NZ Football and AFF is in motion.

2019

AUCKLAND UNITED ACADEMY IS LAUNCHED The Auckland United Academy kicks off in Term 1, 2020 with age groups from 8-18 year olds.

2020

AUFC PLAYS ITS FIRST GAME The 2020 Season kicks off with 9th Grade through to Senior Men representing AUFC for the very first time.

• 07. VOTING

MEMBERS ARE BEING ASKED TO VOTE AT THE SGM TO APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THREE KINGS UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB SIGNING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH ONEHUNGA SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB, TO CREATE A NEW FOOTBALL CLUB “ AUCKLAND UNITED FC” ON SUCH TERMS AS ARE AGREED WITHIN THE MOU.

LIFE MEMBERS All life members can vote PLAYERS < 18 Players under 18 cannot vote, but their parents can vote on their

• behalf. One vote per playing child.

MEMBERS > 18 All members over the age of 18 can vote. This includes players, coaches, managers and registered supporters.

OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR PROXY VOTING

• 08. KIT CONCEPT

CONCEPT KIT, SUPPLIERS AND SPONSORS TO BE CONFIRMED

2020 HOME PREMIER PLAYERS JERSEY 2020 AWAY PREMIER PLAYERS JERSEY KIT SUPPLIER AND SPONSORS TO BE CONFIRMED

• 09. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MEMBERS HAVE PUT FORWARD THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL AND THE INFORMATION EVENING

Why does the club management want to do this?

At the talent level this improves the pathway offerings. As a wider community this improves our ability to be financially sustainable. Within the current football environment members are expecting more and more services to be offered and we believe the economies of scale this will achieve will assist with that. If we don’t do this then under NZ Football requirements we will need to instead become a community club servicing 5-9/10 year olds, community youth and social adults, but with little to offer for any talented players.

Will members get to vote on this proposal?

Yes, 7pm next Monday at the club rooms, but you have to be there in person to vote.

Will this affect the ownership and legal structure of Three Kings Club?

Auckland United FC will be a new club and for next year at least TKU will still exist with the same legal structure, however the long term plan would be for TKU to cease to exist.

Will the Phoenix Academy generate profit (after payment of costs such as wages for coaches)? If so, who will this profit go to - the club and its members?

The Phoenix Academy will cease to exist and will be replaced by the Auckland United Academy. AUA may be part-owned by the club, however it is not envisaged that it will ever make a significant profit (if it did then some of it would go to the club). Instead as it becomes a better business, it will allow for more investment into the academy itself.

Can players attend Academy only once a week? Or is there a minimum requirement?

There will be multiple tiers of academy (nothing is finalised). There will definitely be a once a week option as it is an NZF requirement, however Talent Development Program players will need to attend multiple times per week (the number of times depends on age and level playing)

How will Auckland United work financially – how many players and what will the fees be ?

AUFC will be its own separate entity financially. The subs will be more or less the same as they are now except those players on a Talent Pathway. They will pay additional academy fees - $1400 under 12, $2000 over 12 – with additional club fee on top. Please note that TKU will be charging similar for players in Talent Pathway if AUFC does not go ahead.

Can players who do not attend the Academy still participate in the premier or first division teams for their age group?

In grades 13-17 there will be a new NRFL division. The boys involved in those teams will need to be in the academy. Metro grades will be the equivalent of Conference now, and we are likely to ask for a level

• f commitment to the academy, albeit fewer sessions and at a lower financial level. Below that we are unsure.

Players 12 and under there will be teams formed from academy boys who will compete at the highest level possible (there are proposals from AFF/NZF in this area around not having any level of competitive league). If we have a group of boys who are not willing/able to be involved in the academy, but are at a high level then we do not foresee a reason they cannot play at any level appropriate. There is plenty of precedent for that in the past with multiple teams from a club being in the same grade.

Can you provide details of what will be offered to the wider community of players under this joint venture?

At the talent level this improves the pathway offerings. As a wider community this improves our ability to be financially sustainable. Within the current football environment members are expecting more and more services to be offered and we believe the economies of scale this will achieve will assist with that. The Skill Centre offered by the AUA will benefit the entire community. There will be a wider number of playing divisions available, resulting in more opportunities to play football for everyone.

Will there be a change of uniform? Any other additional costs to players?

There will be a totally new kit rolled out over 2020 and 2021. In 2020 the Senior Premier teams will wear a new kit, and so will players in the talent pathway. Juniors and social men will not. Community youth will continue to play in the existing TKU uniform for 2020.

Will the Three Kings Club name and history be retained in any way? Celebrated in the club house?

The name will be retained in 2020, but it is envisaged it will be phased out beyond that. History (we aren’t a very old club) we are open to suggestions. We still have the honours boards of Eden and Mt Roskill which are planned to be moved to the new club house. We are looking at external naming rights for the clubrooms

Can Metro or Conference teams play under their own club banner ie TKU or OS – or do they all come under Auckland United FC?

They all come under Auckland United FC

• 09. FAQS Continued

Will there be enough players to fill all the Grades and Metro and Conference level ?

Based on current numbers at both clubs, we believe so

Is there a plan to cooperate with school football to stop players having to choose one over the other (school or club football) due to demands on their time ?

The NZF training session model is highly specific, and includes a required, minimum, number of sessions a week, depending on the level of the player. There is the suggestion of a MOU between the club and local schools about a player’s workload, but this will have to fit in with NZF’s training session model.

Will players be restricted from playing for their school due to the number of sessions they are required by NZF at the club?

We will look at this on a case by case basis, depending on a player’s workload. We want to ensure they are successful at school, on the field, and that they get enough rest, so it all has to be weighed up.

With the amalgamation of the 2 clubs, and there being only 1 premier men’s and women’s team and reserves – there will be people who miss out. These people might leave. Have you considered the player attrition, and people who will go to play at other clubs ? And have you talked to AFF about the possibility of having 2 premier teams for both men and women ?

It is not financially sustainable to run 2 x premier men’s and women’s teams. There will be a level of natural attrition- ie going off to university or overseas. We will be working with players to ensure as many as possible can play for AUFC next year. We are very aware of players in these teams that have been with TKU for many years and ensuring that their loyalty is recognised is a priority for us.

Will the current women’s coaches still have a place at the club ? And who will choose the teams?

Coaches are to be decided but any coach will need to be qualified. We will pick the coach and the coach will pick the team, with support from others to make sure it’s done in a way that’s as fair and equitable as possible.

Where will Auckland United be based – at TKU or at Waikaraka Park ?

Initially spread over both venues, especially while the new clubrooms are being built. The intention is that Auckland United will eventually be based at Keith Hay Park once the new clubhouse is complete. There will still be football at Waikaraka Park.

What will happen to our TKU 12th and 13th grade loyal players who don’t get the opportunity to play in the top teams because they are up against Onehunga Sports players ?

There will be a clear and transparent trial process, with 3 training sessions a week in February. The situation is the same for both contributing clubs.

Other players will be attracted to come and play for Auckland United – how do we make sure our own players are looked after?

There is an NZF ‘homegrown rule’ for teams in the talent programme – stipulating only 4 players that haven’t been at the club for 2 years can play in a team. Auckland United will have a strategy of developing our own players.

Will there be an academy for both boys and girls even though there is not one currently for the girls ? And will the academy run throughout each term ?

Yes – our intention is to provide an academy programme for the girls. And both will run over 4 terms.

How do we keep hold of our community culture and playing for the love of the game at TKU and not turn into a win at all costs elite culture ?

We want to retain that and build on it – it’s really important to us. But we also want a talent pathway for players to aspire to.

What about talented players who can’t afford the academy fees ?

TKU already has a hardship fund and OS has player sponsorship schemes

What academy option is there for a community player ?

There will be a skills centre for these players