Since its inception in 1970, when club founders Fred Haydon and Derek Mansbridge helped pioneer the very first New Zealand National League, Christchurch United has stood as a beacon of footballing excellence and innovation in the South Island.
For over fifty years, the club has created legendary teams, captured numerous titles and set a high standard for player development in the Mainland, that has produced 44 All Whites including FIFA World Cup captains Steve Sumner and Ryan Nelsen.
As the landscape of Oceania football evolves, our club once again takes a defining step into the future.
The announcement of South Island United as the club's professional entry into the new OFC Pro League marks a historic and monumental moment for not just our club, but for the entire South Island football community, providing a professional pathway the region has long deserved.
This new venture is a natural extension of the spirit that created Christchurch United—a commitment to innovation, elite competition and nurturing the best Southern talent.
To ensure all our members—from the First Team players competing in the National League to our thriving Academy and all our dedicated parents—fully understand what this exciting chapter means, we have compiled the following Q&As.
Why did we change the name to South Island United?
The new OFC Pro League team can only flourish with the support for all the clubs and football community in the South Island.
We want to create and entity that can reach beyond existing historical local football rivalries and can appeal to football fans around New Zealand and overseas.
What we want to achieve?
It is our vison to fill the new Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch with football fans from around the South Island to support a football team from their own ranks.
It is our ambition to win the OFC Pro League and reach the FIFA Club World Cup with a squad dominated by South Island football players, who have been given a new pathway to international glory and potentially bigger competitions.
How we are going to get there?
We have assembled a group of experts who have worked with football organisations around the world, and use our partnerships with other organisations and experts who will guide and support us through the transition to professional football.
Many of these experts have long-standing connections with Christchurch United or the South Island football community and are keen to see South Island United flourish.
What is the difference between Christchurch United & South Island United?
South Island United is the new professional branch of the Christchurch United family that also includes the Christchurch United Gymnastics Club.
The Pro League team will run independently from the rest of the Christchurch United structure, including its academy, which will continue to play in the National League and other Mainland Football Competitions.
Some Christchurch United National League players will be invited to the South Island United squad, along with domestic players from other South Island and North Island clubs—as well as up to three international players and up to three squad members from other OFC nations.
Southern League players that sign for South Island United, including the Christchurch United players, will return to their clubs to play in the Southern League, after the OFC Pro League concludes in May.
What does it mean for the first team?
Christchurch United will continue to compete in the Southern League and National League.
Christchurch United players that sign for South Island United will return to play in the Southern League after the OFC Pro League concludes in May.
What does it mean for the academy?
The South Island United franchise offers another pathway and aspiration for our Academy players. We will continue to provide the opportunity to reach the National League with our Christchurch United first team, and we will now also provide the opportunity for international exposure for our "best of the best" Academy players with the South Island United team in the OFC Pro League.
Imagine staying at home and playing professional football—what a dream! This marks the first-ever such local professional pathway in South Island football history. The club is also considering inviting some Academy players along with the South Island United squad on tour to expose them to a professional environment and prepare them for potential future opportunities.
For over fifty years, the club has created legendary teams, captured numerous titles and set a high standard for player development in the Mainland, that has produced 44 All Whites including FIFA World Cup captains Steve Sumner and Ryan Nelsen.
As the landscape of Oceania football evolves, our club once again takes a defining step into the future.
The announcement of South Island United as the club's professional entry into the new OFC Pro League marks a historic and monumental moment for not just our club, but for the entire South Island football community, providing a professional pathway the region has long deserved.
This new venture is a natural extension of the spirit that created Christchurch United—a commitment to innovation, elite competition and nurturing the best Southern talent.
To ensure all our members—from the First Team players competing in the National League to our thriving Academy and all our dedicated parents—fully understand what this exciting chapter means, we have compiled the following Q&As.
Why did we change the name to South Island United?
The new OFC Pro League team can only flourish with the support for all the clubs and football community in the South Island.
We want to create and entity that can reach beyond existing historical local football rivalries and can appeal to football fans around New Zealand and overseas.
What we want to achieve?
It is our vison to fill the new Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch with football fans from around the South Island to support a football team from their own ranks.
It is our ambition to win the OFC Pro League and reach the FIFA Club World Cup with a squad dominated by South Island football players, who have been given a new pathway to international glory and potentially bigger competitions.
How we are going to get there?
We have assembled a group of experts who have worked with football organisations around the world, and use our partnerships with other organisations and experts who will guide and support us through the transition to professional football.
Many of these experts have long-standing connections with Christchurch United or the South Island football community and are keen to see South Island United flourish.
What is the difference between Christchurch United & South Island United?
South Island United is the new professional branch of the Christchurch United family that also includes the Christchurch United Gymnastics Club.
The Pro League team will run independently from the rest of the Christchurch United structure, including its academy, which will continue to play in the National League and other Mainland Football Competitions.
Some Christchurch United National League players will be invited to the South Island United squad, along with domestic players from other South Island and North Island clubs—as well as up to three international players and up to three squad members from other OFC nations.
Southern League players that sign for South Island United, including the Christchurch United players, will return to their clubs to play in the Southern League, after the OFC Pro League concludes in May.
What does it mean for the first team?
Christchurch United will continue to compete in the Southern League and National League.
Christchurch United players that sign for South Island United will return to play in the Southern League after the OFC Pro League concludes in May.
What does it mean for the academy?
The South Island United franchise offers another pathway and aspiration for our Academy players. We will continue to provide the opportunity to reach the National League with our Christchurch United first team, and we will now also provide the opportunity for international exposure for our "best of the best" Academy players with the South Island United team in the OFC Pro League.
Imagine staying at home and playing professional football—what a dream! This marks the first-ever such local professional pathway in South Island football history. The club is also considering inviting some Academy players along with the South Island United squad on tour to expose them to a professional environment and prepare them for potential future opportunities.
