South Island United FC
| Full name | South Island United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Southerners | ||
| Short name | SIU | ||
| Founded | 7 October 2025 | ||
| Ground | United Sports Centre | ||
| Capacity | 1,000 | ||
| Coordinates | 43°30′53″S 172°31′43″E / 43.5148°S 172.5286°E | ||
| Owner | Christchurch United | ||
| General Manager | Ryan Edwards | ||
| Head coach | Rob Sherman | ||
| League | OFC Professional League | ||
| 2026 | TBD | ||
| Website | southislandunited | ||
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South Island United Football Club is a men's professional association football club based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Established in 2025, the club is owned and operated by Christchurch United and first competed in the OFC Professional League (OFCPL) 2026 season. It is the third professional football club in New Zealand after Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, and the first in the South Island.[1]
History
South Island United was formed in 2025 as the professional branch of Christchurch United, one of New Zealand’s most successful football clubs. The creation of the new club followed Christchurch United's successful bid for entry into the newly established OFC Professional League, announced by the Oceania Football Confederation in August 2025.[2][3]
The professional franchise was launched to represent the entire South Island region rather than a single city or club, aiming to unify the island's football community and provide a development pathway for young players. Club officials described South Island United as a "team for all South Island footballers", highlighting collaboration with clubs across the Southern League and Mainland Football region.[4]
The club unveiled its name and branding in October 2025, confirming that South Island United would operate under the ownership of Christchurch United but maintain a distinct identity, kit, and management structure.[5]
Sponsorship
On 14 December 2025, South Island United announced that Go Media would be the club's first official front shirt sponsor for the 2026 season.[6] The next day on 15 December 2025, the club announced their first ever kit producers New Balance.
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2026– | New Balance | Go Media |
Stadium
South Island United plans to use the United Sports Centre in Christchurch as its training and administrative base. The venue is owned by Christchurch United and serves as one of New Zealand’s premier football facilities.[4]
The club plans to play in the Te Kaha stadium, once completed.[7]
Organisation
The club operates as the professional extension of Christchurch United, with the parent club retaining control of its academy and community programmes. South Island United will recruit players primarily from South Island clubs, while also signing overseas and Oceania-based players in accordance with OFCPL roster regulations.[3]
League
South Island United participate as one of eight founding clubs in the OFC Professional League, which began on 17 January 2026. The league will determine the Oceania representative for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[2]
Coaching staff
Technical officials
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Rob Sherman | [8] |
| Assistant coach | Adrià Casals | [9] |
| Goalkeeping coach | Callum Kennett | [9] |
| Team manager | Coen Lanmers | [9] |
| Physiotherapist | Michael Peterson |
Management
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| General manager | Ryan Edwards | [10] |
Players
First-team squad
- As of 15 January 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Professional League record
| Season | Round | Club | Home | Away | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Circuit series | Auckland FC | 0–3 | |||
| Bula FC | 0–0 | |||||
| Vanuatu United | 2–1 | |||||
| South Melbourne | 3–3 | 1–4 | ||||
| Solomon Kings | 0–0 | |||||
| PNG Hekari | 4–1 | 2–1 | ||||
| Tahiti United | 2–2 | |||||
See also
References
- ^ "Christchurch United rebrand South Island United new OFC Pro League". Stuff.co.nz. 8 October 2025.
- ^ a b "New Zealand's newest professional club will compete as South Island United". Friends of Football NZ. 8 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b "South Island United to play in new pro football league". Otago Daily Times. 8 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Christchurch United: 'We're ready to bring professional football to the South Island'". Friends of Football NZ. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "South Island United: What does it mean for you?". Christchurch United. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Our new foundation partner…". South Island United. 14 December 2025. Retrieved 14 December 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "South Island United: What does it mean for you?". cufc.co.nz. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ^ "Christchurch United appoint Rob Sherman as coach for OFC Pro League". Friends of Football NZ. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "South Island United tug hometown heart strings to lure players to new Oceania Pro League club". The Press. 20 December 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
- ^ "New coach to take charge as Chch United joins pro ranks". The Press. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.