The use of Wollongong as a Wellington Phoenix base for the upcoming season could be in jeopardy, with discussions hitting a number of roadblocks.
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The club will spend the early stages of the A-League in NSW as a result of New Zealand's strict quarantine requirements.
The Phoenix have been investigating their options for a number of months, with Wollongong long considered the leading candidate.
Other options include Canberra, Tamworth and the Central Coast.
The majority of players will arrive in Sydney on Sunday, those flying from New Zealand not required to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine. From there, they are expected to travel south to Wollongong.
The club is yet to finalise their plans, with the lack of elite football facilities in the region emerging as a potential stumbling block.
The University of Wollongong is the likely training venue, however it is understood the Phoenix have concerns about sharing the grounds with other sporting organisations.
Wellington are considering spending three weeks in the Illawarra as a test run, before determining if they will remain in the city long term.
The University declined to comment when contacted by the Mercury on Thursday.
Some members of the Wollongong football community are optimistic the Phoenix's arrival will clear the way for a permanent A-League franchise.
Others, however, have raised concerns over whether the costs of their stay outweigh the potential benefits.
Wollongong City Council has been in discussions with the Phoenix, officials pointing to the success of the Gold Coast Suns' visit during the AFL season.
"We understand the Wellington Phoenix are looking to base an A-League squad in NSW for the upcoming season, and that their options include Wollongong," a spokesperson said. "We welcome any opportunity to highlight the many benefits Wollongong has to offer.
"We believe welcoming teams from outside the area offers an invaluable opportunity for local sporting fans or players to have exposure to a range of sporting codes. It also celebrates our reputation as a sports-loving city.''