KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Football insists it is "purely coincidental" that the remaining eight teams in the Chatham Cup are conveniently paired up regionally, thus avoiding hefty travel bills.
But competitions manager Glyn Taylor does admit to having reservations about the future direction of the competition.
Yesterday's quarter-finals draw pits
the two surviving Wellington teams, defending cup-holders Western Suburbs and former winner Miramar Rangers, in one match.
The two South Island teams, Caversham (Dunedin) and Christchurch's Nomads, meet in another.
The four northern teams clash in Auckland, with North Shore United at home to Hamilton Wanderers in the July 21-22 round and Central United hosting Eastern Suburbs.
There had been plans to have yesterday's draw done live on television last night but Taylor said he had been under pressure to make the selections "as soon as possible" and had supervised it yesterday morning "within the confines of the office".
The quarter-finals are the first games played under the "open draw" format after earlier rounds were drawn regionally. There is no funding earmarked for travelling teams but Taylor said there could be some contribution towards such expenses in the semifinals.
A total of 122 teams (down on previous years) - from club and business-house leagues and schools - paid the $150 entry fee to contest one of New Zealand's oldest sporting competitions.
In the absence of any sponsorship, the $18,300 is used "to run the competition" with a hefty portion earmarked for stadium hire and other costs, including entertaining guests, at the final.
"We always hope to have some funding available for travel in the latter rounds," said Taylor who has called for submissions on the future direction of the Chatham Cup which was first played for in 1923.
"For me the Chatham Cup has a huge history ... and can't be allowed to disappear but at this stage there is no provision for NZ Football Championship clubs to enter which means what many see as the best teams in the country aren't able to play.
"There is a need to revitalise the Chatham Cup."
Taylor believes that NZFC clubs should be included in the competition but that is a view not shared by the federations or winter league clubs.
"The challenge is for everyone to think a bit more laterally."
The Chatham Cup has enjoyed a colourful history with games in the 1970s and 80s in particular attracting huge support, a far cry from the small crowds which all too often turn up nowadays to watch ordinary football.
The draw for the women's Knockout Cup quarter-finals was also made yesterday but, unlike the Chatham Cup, the rules provide for regional match-ups at this stage.