South Island United FC
Men's professional football club in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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| Full name | South Island United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Southerners | ||
| Short name | SIU | ||
| Founded | 7 October 2025 | ||
| Ground | United Sports Centre and Te Kaha | ||
| Capacity | 1,000 | ||
| Coordinates | 43.5148°S 172.5286°E | ||
| Owner | Christchurch United | ||
| General Manager | Ryan Edwards | ||
| Head coach | Vacant | ||
| League | OFC Professional League | ||
| 2026 | OFC Pro League: 3rd | ||
| Website | southislandunited | ||
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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 uses 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
Management
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| General manager |  Ryan Edwards | [10] |
Captaincy history
| Dates | Name | Honours (as captain) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026– | Christian Gray |
Inaugural club captain[11] |
Managers
As of end of 2026 season.
| Name | Nationality | From | To | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Sherman |  Wales |
2 October 2025 | 8 August 2026 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 29 | 36 | 33.33 | [12][8] |
Players
First-team squad
- As of 21 May 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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OFC Professional League results
| Season | Round | Club | Home | Away | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Circuit series | |
Auckland FC | 1–3 | 0–3 | 4th |
 |
Bula FC | 2–3 | 0–0 | |||
 |
Vanuatu United | 2–1 | 2–1 | |||
 |
South Melbourne | 3–3 | 1–4 | |||
 |
Solomon Kings | 2–1 | 0–0 | |||
 |
PNG Hekari | 4–1 | 2–1 | |||
 |
Tahiti United | 3–3 | 2–2 | |||
| Leaders group | |
Auckland FC | 2–5 | 3rd | ||
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Bula FC | 1–0 | ||||
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South Melbourne | 2–4 | ||||
| Knockout Stage | |
Auckland FC | 0-1 | Semifinals | ||
| Season | OFC Professional League | Position | Playoff | Finals | Top goalscorer(s) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2026 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 26 | −2 | 20 | 4th | 3th | Semifinals | Ryan Feutz |
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