Semi-pro league in NZ?

[palmheads]

Does this even exist anywhere in NZ?

I would assume the Auckland Vulcan players who aren't coming down from the NZ Warriors get paid something? Anyone have any idea what? Win bonuses?

What about premier club football throughout the country? I would imagine the better premier club players might get some (small) benefits. Any idea what? Perhaps more likely in Auckland club league? I think in Christchurch there are always rumours of clubs paying players, but generally the sums aren't huge. Do the National Comp players get paid at all?

Always been interested to know.

Old days of league when the "pro" game was actually really "semi-pro", you always heard of "boot" money. Win/loss payments etc etc. Clubs would also find local businesses to sponsor a player.

Actually went as far as to draw up a theoretical conservative semi-pro league payment scheme.

Games played regular season: 14
Finals: 4
Total: 18

Win payment: $200
Loss payment: $100
Finals payment: $400
Finals loss payment: $200

Total money for season (assuming 10 win, 4 loss record plus 4 finals games with 1 loss): $3800
Boot money: $250
Gym money: $500
Petrol money per week: $20pw * 18 games: $360
Sign-on fee: $2000
Total payments: $6910


Dunno what tax bracket it would come under, but getting $7k for 20 odd weeks playing sounds ok & achievable to me, especially as a top-up to your normal job whatever it is.

If you multiplied that over a season, say 17 players getting more or less the same over 18 game season. A clubs salary budget would be:
$117,470, which does seem wayyy to big!

Although I read on these forums the Newcastle comp has a salary cap of $AU160K per club. So maybe its not completely out of the question.

cheers
Dazza

 

[ozenzud]

In Wellington, most clubs you have to pay to play, let alone be paid to play.

Paupers market mate. Which is funny, because League used to be the game the good players came to, to be paid.

 

[tangalife]

Vulcans dont get paid anything except $250 if they win.

And because they dont get paid, and have to travel to Aussie every 2 weeks, no one really wants to play for them.

 

[MKEB...]

Vulcans dont get paid anything except $250 if they win.

And because they dont get paid, and have to travel to Aussie every 2 weeks, no one really wants to play for them.

I didnt realise that was still the case.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Vulcans dont get paid anything except $250 if they win.

And because they dont get paid, and have to travel to Aussie every 2 weeks, no one really wants to play for them.

Mate your about two years late.

It has changed significantly - I think the Warriors in addition to having larger NRL & NYC squads - pay another second of low contract to vulcans players.

Name one local Fox player - who the vulcans want or need? the doesnt want to play

 

[Micistm]

I was saddened to see Bartercard go, though as a fan I have to take some blame for not turning up often. IMO it should have been promoted not disbanded. When you did go to watch a game it was hard going finding out any info on when or where they were on

 

[ozenzud]

I used to go to Bartercard games in Wellington.....I knew absolutely everyone in the crowd by their first name....most of them come in my car.

 

[palmheads]

I guess economies of scale comes into it as well. For NSW Cup for instance, apart from when teams have to fly here for the Vulcan's games, all the travel costs are mostly within the state. They probably just hire a bus when they need to travel a meaningful distance.

In NZ, any semi-pro comp has to be nationwide, immediately making the whole thing expensive for everyone.

cheers
Dazza

 

[ramraider275]

The Auckland Fox comp is going semi pro in 2015 from what I hear, it was voted in last year at the Auckland conference of the clubs; money is being pumped into it from the nrl and ARL; Apparently the top 8 clubs will have a salary cap they can work from. Australian RL sick of kiwis going over there and flooding there comps, which many players are there for the money; Wayne Scurrah was at the meeting pitching the idea to the Auckland clubs, which surprised many clubs, because he sat there and listened to the feedback. the vote was unanimous - yes.

I wasn't at the meeting but my local club's committee members (Mangere East Hawks) were and told us of the new developments. It's positive news for us as we have a production line of quality Juniors but struggle to compete in the seniors because of the player drain for money from the richer Auckland clubs e.g. Mt Albert, Pt Chev, Papakura; We have 41 teams this year, that are top 4 teams in every junior grade, but no big business backers in the area that will feed money into the topside - this initiative will help us keep our players. I can see why they are basing it in Auckland's Fox comp, ARL have $30 million in Assets and they are fronting a percentage of the comp.

 

[palmheads]

Will thee Vulcans still be around if the Fox Memorial goes semi-pro?

 

[tangalife]

Mate your about two years late.

It has changed significantly - I think the Warriors in addition to having larger NRL & NYC squads - pay another second of low contract to vulcans players.

Name one local Fox player - who the vulcans want or need? the doesnt want to play

this is what i was told last year by someone who coaches reserve grade fox, and spoke to michael luck about the topic.

he is obviously wrong then

 

[Izz]

this is what i was told last year by someone who coaches reserve grade fox, and spoke to michael luck about the topic.

he is obviously wrong then

i think that was the case last year, but they changed it all this year.