Under pressure to attract larger crowds, Wellington Phoenix will play their round 20 A-League match against Sydney FC at Campbelltown Stadium.
Anxiety over home crowd numbers has prompted the Wellington Phoenix to take their February A-League match against Sydney FC to Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney.
The round 20 clash on February 23 couldn’t be staged at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium because of a Kapa Haka festival, forcing Phoenix management to seek alternative venues in New Zealand.
General manager David Dome said despite an exhaustive search, no Kiwi venue could provide a viable business model.
An average crowd size of 6229 through five home games this season is a disappointing return for the Phoenix, who are under pressure to improve that figure.
Football Federation Australia have set down targets, including crowd numbers, which will determine whether it extends the Kiwi club’s licence beyond 2019-20.
“Despite the excellent results that head coach Mark Rudan and the players have delivered recently, we are still struggling to get the crowds to come back to Westpac Stadium,” Dome said in a statement to club supporters.
“This is hugely concerning for all at the club as crowd attendance is one of our key metrics that we need to meet, plus it’s a fundamental part of the ongoing sustainability of the club.”
The Phoenix hope all their metrics will be boosted on February 15 when they host Melbourne Victory at New Zealand’s largest venue, Eden Park.
Dome said the club was attracted by Campbelltown Stadium officials’ pledge to draw a large crowd, which will comprise mostly Sydney FC fans.
The Phoenix have offered reduced-cost packages for fans wanting to travel to Sydney for the game.
It will be the sixth A-League game staged at Campbelltown Stadium. The others have been home games for Sydney FC and, more recently, Western Sydney Wanderers.
jamesb
Roar Guru
I didn't think Troisi was ever a chance in the squad. The one name i was looking for was Antonis. Antonis may still be in the squad if Mooy doesn't come through. As for Deng, it was a toss up between Grant and Deng. Victory are playing great football because of one man. And it's not Troisi. As a player, Triosi was past it before the world cup. Now he is bitter.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
JamesB Have you had a look at what the clubs are proposing? I'll give a link to the AAFC Championship briefing notes, you need to click next to advance. http://www.thechampionship.com.au/in-a-nutshell.html Selection criteria for the clubs to enter is toward the back. Salary cap of $1mil It looks quite achievable I'd have thought, minus the bit about an ACL spot - they should aim for a spot in a lower AFC competition. My local club, Redlands United FC has listed its aim is to gain entry to the national second division. That's a realistic aim for them.
Punter
Roar Rookie
See Troisi's comments today, must be something bad in the water in Melbourne to make them so SALTY!!!!
jamesb
Roar Guru
Having a second AFL team in Sydney is more ambitious.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
A second division with Darwin, Townsville and a Perth teams sounds a bit ambitious.
jamesb
Roar Guru
If the FFA dropped the Nix, I reckon that would benefit the A-League. Why do we have a NZ side in the comp? So the new sides in the future: West Melbourne- locked in South West Sydney- locked in Canberra to replace the Nix Wollongong Dandenong Tasmania Brisbane 2 That's a 16 team comp, 30 rounds home and away. And have a second division. Gold Coast Nth Qld North Sydney South Melbourne Perth 2 Adelaide 2 Geelong Sunshine Coast Darwin Sydney 5 Second division, 10 teams, 27 rounds. Then introduce promotion/ relegation, bottom 2 down from A-League, top 2 up from second division. And when that all happens, we can all live happily ever after..
Kangas
Roar Rookie
We can realistically see by 2021 that Wellington will be replaced by Canberra. ( nothing against this current nix team ) but we cannot have n z team stopping a Aussie team participation in this current climate. Adding to the arrival of Macarthur-South west ghosts and west vic rabbits Wsw back at parramatta No doubt this will bring some good feeling to the game in Oz . On the back of that, they should be providing a pathway for Dandenong and the gong , south and Brisbane 2 by 2023 . Please Ffa show some courage and initiative
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes to improve their metrics, by playing in your opposition team's city to improve their metrics.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Doesn't augur well for the Nix's future in the A-League. Currently average home attendances of 6,229. I'm confident a Canberra team would be able to attract at least 6,500.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
So your point is that they are playing Sydney.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Jordan, why Sydney, read the first line of article.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Brookie is 10 mins walk for me, make is so Kangas.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Why Sydney? What about Tasmania
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Why Cambelltown Why not play at Leichhardt or kogarah Cronulla or even test out the northern beaches and play at brookvale which are in Sydney fc catchment. Work with Sydney fc to arrange free tickets for kids who are registered in February to play 2019 season in the local comps .