South Island United have begun assembling their first professional squad ahead of the inaugural OFC Pro League season, holding player trials on Tuesday for footballers from across New Zealand’s South Island, according to NZ Sports Wire. The Christchurch-based club, formerly known as Christchurch United, is set to represent the region in Oceania’s new continental competition, which kicks off in January.
General manager Ryan Edwards said the trials, which featured 14 players from clubs including Ferrymead Bays, Nomads, Nelson Suburbs, and Cashmere Technical, mark an important step toward the club’s goal of representing all South Island teams in the new league. “It has always been our ambition to represent every club in the South Island in this new competition and this trial is the first important step towards creating that vision,” Edwards explained.
Edwards and head coach Rob Sherman, who previously led Fiji’s national team, have been meeting with regional clubs to ensure transparency and collaboration throughout the recruitment process. “We can only be successful if we are transparent and collaborative with the other clubs,” said Edwards. “Before any player is considered or offered a contract, Rob Sherman will work closely with the clubs involved.”
Players selected for the OFC Pro League will return to their home clubs once the season concludes in May to continue competing in the Southern League. Sherman praised the cooperation of local clubs and noted the enthusiasm among players to take part in New Zealand’s first fully professional regional team. “The support from the Southern League clubs has been fantastic,” Sherman said. “We are only looking for players who want to be part of one of the most exciting chapters in football in this country, not players looking for a big pay check.”
The club confirmed that players from Coastal Spirit did not attend the trial due to their National League commitments but remain under close observation by the coaching staff. Edwards added that all players, including those from the current Christchurch United squad, will have to earn their professional contracts on merit.
Under OFC regulations, each team can sign three foreign players and three from within the Oceania region. Sherman said international interest has already been strong but cautioned that the league’s modest scale means expectations must remain realistic. “The OFC Pro League will be the first small step into professional football,” he said. “We’re looking for players who see this as an opportunity to grow and make history.”
With the club rebranded to South Island United earlier this year, the project signals a new era for football in New Zealand’s South Island—a bid to unify regional talent under one banner and compete on the continental stage.
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