In this four-part series, Ryan Murray unravels the complex tapestry of New Zealand football, delves into the nuances which have thwarted the Kiwis’ progress, reflects on whether recent infrastructural changes have had any immediate positive impact, and considers what the future holds for New Zealand’s domestic game.
You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
The vicious cycle
There is almost a chicken and egg style dynamic to New Zealand’s stunted progress. Are the All Whites unexceptional because they represent a country which is burdened by a historically weak league? Or is the standard of football in its domestic league poor because the majority of the national team roster plies their trade outside the borders of their native homeland? In truth, the answer to each question is a resounding yes—both realities have conspired to weaken the Kiwi cause.
