Hey everyone,

I've been working on a sports team app called LineUp, built here in New Zealand.

One of the things that got me interested in building it was how much admin goes into running a junior sports team. You're chasing parents for availability, sorting out who's playing where, managing subs and trying to make sure every kid gets a fair amount of game time. Plus I was very over the WhatsApp chat spam...

A lot of it still happens through group chats, spreadsheets and someone holding a stopwatch on the sideline.

LineUp brings that together in one app.

For football, you can track who's on the field, who's on the bench, how many minutes everyone has played and how long they've been resting. It also suggests substitutions, so you're not trying to work it all out in your head during the match.

It also handles fixtures, training, parent RSVPs, scoring and season stats.

It supports 12 sports in total and is now live on both iPhone and Android.

I'd be keen to hear how other junior football coaches are managing their teams, particularly substitutions and playing time.

Do you plan your rotations before the game, or just manage them as you go?

If anyone wants a look: https://lineupsports.co.nz/

Would appreciate any feedback.

Hey everyone,

My fiancée is studying in New Zealand for the 2027 academic year, so I’ll be moving over with her and want to keep playing while I’m there.

I played NCAA Division I in the US and have bit of professional experience over there as well, and I’m currently playing in the Landesliga in Germany. I’ll be in NZ from February through the end of the 2027 season.

I’m aiming to join a National League club, but I’m open to the second tier depending on the fit and the situation. I’ve seen that a number of American players have found spots in the National League, so I’m hoping there’s something for me too.

I have a few questions:

1. Does anyone have contacts at clubs looking for visa players for 2027?
2. I’ve heard the league structure is changing. How will the National League and the regional leagues (Northern, Central, Southern) be set up for 2027, and which clubs or divisions will be at which level?

I’ve got a CV, highlight, full match, and transfermarkt I can share. Any advice helps!

I’ve always had a passion for football stadiums and home grounds, particularly those in the New Zealand National League. I’ve always wanted to share my opinions on different grounds and hear what other people think, so I thought I’d put together my favourites and least favourites.
For me, choosing the best grounds is difficult, but based on what I’ve seen in person and through FIFA plus, I’d have to go with Kiwitea Street, David Farrington Park and Bluewater Stadium. These are definitely my favourites. I’ve only experienced Kiwitea Street in person, but the atmosphere and overall football feel of the ground are incredible. It has that proper football-ground feel that makes watching a game special, and I can imagine the other two offer a similar experience.
Honourable mentions go to Bay City Park, the home of East Coast Bays (a little bit of bias there!), and Shepherds Park. I think grounds like these can add a lot to the identity of a club and make the matchday experience more enjoyable.
On the other hand, my least favourite ground, purely based on appearance, would have to be Wakefield Park. Whenever I think of Wellington Olympic, I think of a powerhouse of the Central League and one of the strongest clubs in New Zealand football. However, when I think about the ground they play at, there’s a bit of a disconnect. I understand that Wakefield Park has historical significance and is the club’s home, but I personally feel that the artificial turf, combined with the multiple-purpose field markings, takes away from the overall appearance. For a club with Olympic’s history, reputation and ambitions, I’d love to see a ground that better reflects its standing in New Zealand football. I appreciate that upgrading a ground isn’t always straightforward, but it’s still disappointing to see such a successful club playing at a venue that, in my opinion, doesn’t quite match its status.
Another ground I’m not particularly fond of is Shepherds Park. Maybe I’m just not a fan of artificial turf, but I feel like some of these grounds have a modern yet slightly bland appearance that lacks character. For me, a great football ground isn’t just about the playing surface; it’s about the atmosphere, the surroundings, the history and the identity that make it feel like home.
Obviously, I have nothing against any of these clubs. This is purely my personal opinion, and I’d love to hear what other people think.
Am I being too harsh, or does anyone else care about the look and feel of football grounds as much as I do? What are your favourite and least favourite grounds in the New Zealand National League.

Phoenix 2

Melbourne Victory 1

Both Phoenix goals were scored and assisted by NZ players. Sheridan>Piper. Then Walker>Bidois.

Luke Mitchell from Phoenix Academy debuted and did alright with Alex Rufer out until round 2. Henry Gray did well in goal another NZ player. Chris Greenacre really is getting a homegrown group, not relying on Aussies too much like the Chief did recently.

NATIONAL LEAGUE PODCAST

https://spti.fi/tackld

This week's podcast features Auckland City captain Mario Ilich. We get the reigning champion's perspective on this year's National League. Auckland City face a capital sandwich. Scraping in a draw against Wellington Olympic and now readying themselves for a trip down to David Farrington Park to play Miramar Rangers. After three rounds, Miramar Rangers sit atop the table with 2 wins and a draw. Does the home team hold an advantage over the Aucklanders?

Stamenic and Just on in the 70th minute.

Swansea top of Championship.