KEY POINTS:
It's been about as constant as Saturday morning kick-arounds and oranges at halftime: disunity in New Zealand football.
It was the scourge of the 1980s, when football had its best opportunity to flourish and again threatens to derail the football landscape in this country at one of the most important junctures of recent history.
Three weeks ago chief executive Graham Seatter resigned after being at loggerheads with the board.
Furthermore, the seven federations are autonomous and have the power to call the shots. They can't agree on what is best for the game - so act in their own interests. They do not deliver what clubs want, as evidenced by the demise of the northern league, and are seen as a block between clubs and NZ Football.
There's a view they'll be more powerful after June, when they elect a board unlikely to include current chairman John Morris. The federations called for his head this year but were persuaded to let him resign with dignity ahead of the congress.
Frank van Hattum, the only board member guaranteed a place, is said to be running the show and there's speculation a new chief executive will have to pander to the board. As more than one observer put it, "the lunatics are running the asylum".
NZF's structure has not escaped the attention of Fifa, who said they don't know of any other football association where the regions don't have to report to head office.
"We need to get our act together and show some unity," says Morris, who, when elected chairman in 2002 spoke about the need for harmony. "I'm not sure if it's entirely possible because it's a passionate game and it's parochial still. But what has changed in the last four months is a feeling that for the first time, maybe, we are going in the same direction. We have to communicate better and the federations need to understand they can't be lone rangers."
Why this time is so important is that NZF have dispensed with their five-year plan implemented in 2006 and are putting together another ahead of the congress.
Seatter's reign ushered in a new era of unprecedented international activity at all levels. But it was costly and brought about his downfall on the back of four years of consecutive losses. This was despite revenue topping $9 million last year, twice the level of only two years previously.
Seatter's predecessor, Bill MacGowan, is often exalted for his ability to balance the books but he was also accused of not driving the game forward. It's hard to argue that playing six international games in 2005 (73 were played last year) and withdrawing teams from Oceania qualifying tournaments is progress.
Seatter issued something of a plea last week to the board that their new strategic plan not be based solely around money.
"It's about football and football decisions have to be made," he says. "I understand the financial challenges, and I'm not absolving myself of those responsibilities, but they have to get the balance right between football and strategic decisions.
"There are huge challenges but there always have been and always will be. At this time they are more significant and I only hope they work for the good of the whole game."
Morris is an optimist. The Auckland Grammar headmaster is also a realist and knows they can't afford to get things wrong.
Sparc helped them secure a $1.5 million bank loan as well as $300,000 to help pay the interest on the loan and providing them with $300,000 of additional funding. NZF received extra finance from Oceania because of the financial burden of being top dogs in the confederation.
"We cannot make any mistakes from here on in," Morris says.
"We can't slip up. We have done well over the last four months to become viable but we won't get another chance.
"The first thing we have to do is become financially sustainable, otherwise we won't have a future. We also have to become internationally competitive. We are participating now, which is a big plus, but now we need to get competitive. And we have to find harmony within the game."
NZF have already moved to become more 'sustainable' and aim to cut staff from 15.5 to between eight and 10. As well as Seatter, as many as five others have resigned.
Morris believes they can outsource work but some question if NZF will cope with a significantly reduced staff. One suggestion being examined is for the franchises to run the NZFC. The national championship, though, has degenerated in quality and a competition dominated by two teams (Auckland City and Waitakere United) is not healthy.
Like many, Morris supports a return to a club-based competition - "the club is the hub" - complete with promotion/relegation. At present, each of the eight franchises are guaranteed a spot every season.
It would be popular because club football has almost died, illustrated by events in the northern league.
Another major decision is how active teams are internationally.
Seatter set the aim of qualifying for 14 world cups in five years and they are at present eight for eight.
While playing at the world tournaments is unlikely to be sacrificed, preparation for these is. Teams are unlikely to go on warm-up tours quite so regularly as in the past three years but this will affect their ability to be competitive, No 2 on Morris' list of priorities.
There's no question it's a difficult balancing act. New Zealand have the advantage/burden of being Oceania's best but without the broadcast rights, sponsorship and gate takings this position in other territories.
For this reason, NZF are keen to see Oceania absorbed by Asia and Asia then split into two - Middle East and East Asia - which would provide a better competition and financial opportunities.
Football is clearly seen as a sport of value by Sparc, otherwise they wouldn't have put so much time and money into it.
It's just a question now of whether football can actually grasp that opportunity or whether they will do what they did following the 1982 World Cup and let egos and agendas get in the way.
