Christchurch United will enter the Oceania Professional League under a new name: South Island United, aiming to represent all 95 football clubs across New Zealand’s South Island.
“It is our goal to truly represent the entire football community in the South Island and provide a pathway to professional football for all young players in the South,” said general manager Ryan Edwards, as quoted by Stuff and NZ Herald.
The club secured its Pro League license in August 2025 under the Christchurch United name, as only registered clubs were eligible. “It was not realistic to register a new club at short notice,” Edwards explained, adding that “it was always our intention to be a South Island club.”
To achieve that goal, the team has begun talks with Mainland Football, Football South, and regional clubs to ensure collaboration in building the squad. Edwards emphasized transparency and cooperation: “We can only be successful if we are transparent and collaborative with the other clubs.”
South Island United will first hold trials for Southern League players before considering recruits from the North Island, other OFC nations, and overseas. Each squad will include up to three OFC and three international visa players within a 21-player roster. Players joining from Southern League sides will return to their home clubs once the inaugural season concludes in late May 2026.
Newly appointed coach Rob Sherman, formerly involved with professional setups abroad, will lead the team. Edwards praised the appointment: “We are lucky to have signed an experienced coach with Rob, and we have recruited a number of other staff who have worked in professional football around the world.”
The club has enlisted a North American sports branding firm to design its logo and kit. Edwards confirmed the new colours would differ from Christchurch United’s traditional blue: “We want to create a stunning strip that can represent all 95 clubs in the South Island on the international stage.”
The OFC Pro League, set to launch officially on October 29, 2025, will kick off its first season on January 10, 2026, featuring eight clubs from across Oceania — including Auckland FC, South Melbourne, Hekari United, Solomon Kings, and Tahiti United. Each side will play at least 17 matches in a circuit-style format leading to playoffs.
The league will also serve as Oceania’s qualifier for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, offering a potential multimillion-dollar prize.
Edwards said the rapid four-month buildup had been “an exciting challenge,” but expressed confidence: “We will be ready to make an impression when the season kicks off.”
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