Not a bad team. How Clapham can't get a Nix deal but gets AW spot is beyond me.

Not a bad team. How Clapham can't get a Nix deal but gets AW spot is beyond me.

No Daniel

Hows kosta going in russia Kiwichick?

Jewel in Serepisos' empire for sale

HANK SCHOUTEN
PROPERTY REPORTER Last updated 12:33 23/05/2012

A huge chunk of Cuba Mall, previously owned by bankrupt developer Terry Serepisos, has been put up for sale by receivers.

The Farmers/Deka block, described as the largest redevelopment site in central Wellington, covers almost one hectare of land between Cuba and Victoria streets and includes a large part of Cuba Mall.

The combined buildings have a rateable value of $28.6 million.

The sale has been ordered by Grant Thornton receivership specialists David Ruscoe and Richard Simpson.

They reported last year that Serepisos' company Century City Holdings owed nearly $59 million on the properties - a $36.4m mortgage to the Bank of Scotland International and another $22.46m to South Canterbury Finance.

Serepisos had plans for a $60m redevelopment but they never came to anything.

Colliers International director Richard Findlay said the properties were being sold by deadline private treaty closing on June 26.

The 4555sq m Farmers property runs through from Cuba Mall to Victoria St.

The 3961sq m former Deka store is on the corner of Cuba and Dixon streets.

Findlay said zoning allowed for a wide range of commercial and residential uses, although Wellington City Council's Cuba character area design guide required new developments to complement the character of the precinct.

The Farmers property consists of three buildings. The three-storey building fronting Cuba Mall, which dates back to 1914, is registered with the Historic Places Trust.

The former DEKA building, built around 1925, is also a registered heritage building.

Ground floor tenants include Wild Pair, Hardings Furniture, Rodney Wayne and Valley Girl. The property includes a newer building leased to Penny Farthing Cycles.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/commercial-property/6971567/Jewel-in-Serepisos-empire-for-sale

Phoenix star's infant 'like a baby bird'

The son of Phoenix star fought for survival

BRONWYN TORRIE
HEALTH REPORTER
Last updated 17:11 14/06/2012

Cameron Sigmund came into the world fighting for his life and weighing less than two blocks of butter.

Now, the son of Wellington Phoenix and All White Ben Sigmund is a healthy, happy two-year-old thanks to a series of life-saving blood transfusions.

He was born at 24 weeks at Wellington Hospital and spent the first four months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with his mum Deanna at his side.

"He looked like a baby bird without feathers. He was bright orange like baby birds and transparent, you could see pretty much all his veins.''

Mrs Sigmund, 30, could fit her engagement ring over Cameron's wrist. The tiny infant weighed just 715 grams.

While in hospital he received 10 small blood transfusions which enabled his body and organs to grow so he could survive on his own.

"That, at the time for me was quite scary because obviously you think oh God someone else's blood. But obviously it saved his life. He's gone from strength to strength because of somebody giving up their precious time. To go in and anonymously donate blood and not even think anything of it ... that's a pretty amazing gift for us.''

Babies are given 15 millilitres of blood for every kilogram they weigh, so Cameron's first transfusions would have been less than that.

A week after the birth Mr Sigmund, 31, flew to South Africa with the All Whites to play in the Football World Cup.

"The hardest part was actually leaving, saying goodbye but when you know there is a job to be done as well for New Zealand it was quite tough to focus on both things.''

While away at the six-week long world cup, Cameron had heart surgery to open a valve that was closed.

Apart from being slightly smaller than other kids of his age and having chronic lung disease, which he will grow out of, Cameron is a healthy, bubbly, character.

Speaking at the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Blood Service, the Sigmunds urged people to spare an hour or so to give blood and save a life.

Every 12 minutes a New Zealander receives a life-saving blood transfusion or blood product, but the number of people donating is declining.

About 2000 voluntary donors had dropped off the blood service register, which aims to have at least 90,000 donors throughout the country.

Throughout the year, staff had re-enrolled more than 8900 people who had dropped off and added a 14,500 new donors, spokesman Paul Hayes said.

"With just weeks to go before our official year-end on 30 June, we are recording a net loss of around 2,000 people from our donor register, which we'd like to recoup.

"Doing so ensures a larger group of donors are available to share the load of supplying more than 140,000 units of life-saving blood to our health services in the year ahead.''

Ad Feedback Each year about 42,000 New Zealanders need blood or blood products, which means the blood service needs to collect about 3000 donations each week.

There is no alternative for patients in need of blood or blood products - blood donors save lives, Mr Hayes said.

Less than 4 per cent of eligible New Zealanders currently donate blood.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/7104919/Phoenix-stars-infant-like-a-baby-bird

Phoenix Youngsters Named Wednesday, 20 June 2012 11:52 AM

Gareth Morgan’s vision for a footballing school of excellence at the Wellington Phoenix moved a step closer to fruition today with the announcement of its first participants.

Eight young players were invited take part and all accepted which delighted Morgan, who is one of the Phoenix ownership group.

“That was very encouraging because it shows they have the ambition to be successful within the game,” Morgan said.

Morgan said that from the moment he became involved with the club it was obvious a youth development programme was needed.

“It was quickly apparent that there wasn’t a pathway between amateur and professional football in New Zealand,” Morgan said.

“Young players had to look beyond New Zealand which wasn’t the best situation.

“What we are establishing is a two-way street. It gives the Phoenix a pool of talent and enables young players to become familiar with the Phoenix training methods and the team structure.

“It also exposes them to a high level of coaching and is a win-win situation for everyone.

“What amazed me was that football is the biggest code in the world and the largest participation sport in New Zealand yet the All Whites have been so lowly-ranked internationally.

“Anything that helps to change that is good for football in this country.”

To find suitable candidates for the programme the Phoenix has gone through a rigorous selection process, consulting coaches from throughout New Zealand, along with national age group coaches and ASB Premiership head coaches.

Some of the players have been selected with an eye on the specific positional requirements at the Phoenix.

The group selected is the start of an on-going programme to ensure there is a dedicated pathway for young players who have a strong desire to make a career in professional footballers.

Players selected for the Phoenix footballing school of excellence are:

SCOTT BASALAJ, 18: 2011 New Zealand U-17 World Cup goalkeeper emanating from Lower Hutt and St Pats Silverstream. Capable young keeper who has attracted interest from clubs in Europe.

LUKE ROWE, 20: Former Birmingham City youth player. Had a fine season with Team Wellington last year playing at left back.

ALEC SOLOMONS, 18: Centre back from East Coast Bays. Strong candidate for the 2013 Under 20's national team. Alec was also a part of the ASB Challenge team from 2010-11.

TOM DOYLE, 19: Left sided midfield player who was previously with Auckland City. Came to Wellington to study and play for Miramar.

JUSTIN GULLY, 19: Versatile midfield player who has come through the federation programme, alongside Stop Out. Joined Team Wellington in the summer and was a vital part of the team that reached the Grand Final.

TOM BISS, 19: Out of Hawkes Bay United and a product of their academy, Tom has matured into a midfield player with a good range of pass and ability to impact at both ends of the field. Tom has recently been playing in Perth's Premier State League.

LOUIS FENTON, 19: A local Boy from Tawa, more recently playing in the Victorian Premier League, Melbourne. Louis is becoming a dynamic and creative midfield player with an eye for goal as he displayed playing for Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership

TYLER BOYD, 17: The youngest player in this group, Tyler is an attacking player either wide or central. He spent last year plying his trade under the watchful eye of Declan Edge at Waikato in the ASB Premiership

[quote]“It was quickly apparent that there wasn’t a pathway between amateur and professional football in New Zealand,” Morgan said.

“Young players had to look beyond New Zealand which wasn’t the best situation.

Wellington Phoenix hope for match reschedule
The Wellington Phoenix believe they have a strong case to force Football Federation Australia to reschedule two of their A-League matches.

Phoenix fixtures in October and March fall during a FIFA international window, when the All Whites are scheduled to play World Cup qualifiers.

The Phoenix are expected to lose at least half a dozen players and Phoenix general manager David Dome says it's not feasible to have them play for both teams.

"It won't do any programme any good to have people you know, sifting around, in that period. The only possible option is to move the two games from the middle of the window to after the window's closed."

David Dome says they'll send a formal letter to the FFA today.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/spsoc/782868205-Wellington-Phoenix-hope-for-match-reschedule

A new look... but still no roof

KATIE CHAPMAN
WELLINGTON REPORTER
Last updated 05:00 29/06/2012

Westpac Stadium is getting a $29million facelift - but hardy fans will still have to endure Wellington's wind and rain because a roof won't be part of it.

Details of a new "masterplan" for the stadium, which opened in 2000, are being published today, and include a covered entrance area and landscaping along the walkway, new mezzanine bars with harbour views as part of a revamped concourse, and a complete recladding of the outside.

Behind the scenes, the changing rooms, media areas and match offices will also be revamped.

The work – which will begin in stages from next year – will be funded from the Westpac Stadium Trust's cash resources, and will require no ratepayer money.

Trust chairman Paul Collins said the stadium had to retain a competitive edge against the revamped Eden Park and Dunedin's new Forsyth Barr Stadium. "If we sit back and do nothing, over time the quality of the facility will deteriorate ... It's making sure we stay relevant."

Changes to the concourse will include more windows, and two mezzanine bars where fans can gather before games. The first is planned for the 2013-14 financial year.

"We're not talking about something for members or corporates – this is something for the public," Mr Collins said. There will also be renovations to the members-only areas and corporate boxes.

Stadium chief executive David Gray said the redevelopment would help the stadium retain key events such as the rugby sevens while also making sure it was ready for two world cup events in 2015 – the Cricket World Cup and the Under-20s Fifa World Cup.

The final look of the reclad stadium had not been decided, but one option was to use the plastic cladding used on Beijing's Olympic Aquatic Centre, which can be lit up in different colours.

However, a roof was not on the cards, Mr Collins said. It would cost up to $80m, which the trust could not afford without asking ratepayers to chip in.

"You could debate that the money would be better spent on funding a purpose-built 12,000-seat indoor arena to attract the concerts that are currently touring and bypassing Wellington."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/7189987/A-new-look-but-still-no-roof

Not so fussed about the changes (though they do look nice), what I would like to see is the concourse covered and the stadium with a roof. Also realign the stadium to a rectangular stadium, there at most 2 games of cricket a year and attract a crowd the basin can hold and probably better hosted there.

on what i actually wanted to say. My mate's father became friendly with Bruno Cazarine when he was here. Told the mates dad that he was returning to Brazil to sort out some family issues before looking for a new contract but was said to be very keen on returning to the A-League.

I know you guys are looking for another striker and was just thinking he could be exactly what u need. Proven A-League goal scoring record and could work as a target man for Totori and Ifil to play off. Also wouldn't demand big coin. What would you guys think if you did sign him?

Any Nix fans wanting to be a part of Terrace Talk just DM me. At the moment I have no one.

Cheers

My mate's father became friendly with Bruno Cazarine when he was here. Told the mates dad that he was returning to Brazil to sort out some family issues before looking for a new contract but was said to be very keen on returning to the A-League.

I know you guys are looking for another striker and was just thinking he could be exactly what u need. Proven A-League goal scoring record and could work as a target man for Totori and Ifil to play off. Also wouldn't demand big coin. What would you guys think if you did sign him?

Only a SFC would say this about Cazarine. What makes someone a proven goalscorer anyway? It's so vague.. Cazarine scored 17 goals in 50 games. Berisha got more than that in one season.. What would you guys classify as a proven goal scorer? I've never fully understood the term.

Herbert juggling roles as he jets off
By Terry Maddaford 5:30 AM Wednesday Jul 11, 2012

Ricki Herbert flew out to Japan with New Zealand's Olympic men's soccer team with three hats in his bag.

First off he will be "technical advisor" to under-23 coach Neil Emblen and his assistant, former All Whites captain Chris Zoricich; secondly he will be casting his All Whites eye over all players with upcoming World Cup qualifiers in mind and thirdly he will continue his hunt for a player or two to complete the roster at the Wellington Phoenix.

"I am going with the team fundamentally in my role as national coach," said Herbert.

"I will be with the team in Japan and Korea for the games against their under-23 teams who will also be playing at the Olympics. "

The game against Japan at Tokyo's National Stadium will be played tonight (kick-off 10.30pm) with the game against Korea on Saturday.

The team will then travel to London and spend two days in the Olympic Village before flying to Austria to play the United Arab Emirates in their final warm-up game on July 19. They will then fly direct to Coventry to prepare for their first Olympic match against Belarus on July 26.

Herbert will not go to Austria instead he will watch the game between the Great Britain and Brazil Olympic teams and will also watch Belarus in another warm-up game. Belarus are New Zealand's first Olympic opponent and Brazil their last. They play their second game against Egypt at Old Trafford.

While team selection will be with Emblen, Herbert sees his scouting role as important.

"Just as seeing these players in action is important," said Herbert. "We will be naming an All Whites squad of 18 players immediately after the Olympics for the World Cup qualifiers and there could be up to nine players from this squad named for the World Cup games."

The three over-age players, Ryan Nelsen, Shane Smeltz and Michael McGlinchey are certainties for All Whites selection as are Tommy Smith, Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses and Marco Rojas.

Herbert also continues to juggle the Phoenix ball as he prepares for the new Hyundai A-League season. He has already confirmed a three-match tour to play club sides in India and will also play the Newcastle Jets next month.

Tim Brown, Chris Greenacre, Daniel Cortes, Nicky Ward, Brent Griffiths and Nik Tsattalios have gone from last year's squad while Jeremy Brockie, Benjamin Totori and Glen Moss have come in.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=10818680

With Boxall confirmed it leaves the 'Nix needing only 2 youth players to get to the minimum 20 (most likely from within the academy). Still think we are a striker and FB short. Otherwise I'm reasonably happy with the squad. Main issue for me is Manny into midfield rather than at RB.