The path is clear for a new champion to be crowned in the CNS Clinic Cup knockout competition after yesterday's draw for the first round of games on June 25.
Back-to-back champions Katikati United have moved up into the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Federation League, making them ineligible for a repeat performance
in the FA Cup-style competition that pits all 20 teams in the Bay 1 and 2 leagues against each other.
The leading four sides in the Bay 1 league - Ngongotaha, Tauranga City United, Otumoetai and Papamoa - have been handed byes through the first two rounds of the CNS Clinic Cup and will join the competition at the quarterfinal stage on July 30.
The eight winners in round one continue in the Cup, while the eight losing sides move into a plate competition.
Yesterday's draw was made by Paul Shakes, president of Bethlehem College football, who have forged a strong coaching and fitness training alliance with CNS Clinic and its owner, Pat Wigley.
Young Football Ferns international Anna Fullerton has been employed by Wigley and has been based part-time at Bethlehem training students and coaches. Football is by far the most popular sport at the school, with 315 registered players from mini football (4-5 year olds) through to the boys' and girls' first XI, with Shakes saying they were building the base of coaching and playing to complement the infrastructural development being driving by the Bethlehem College Foundation.
"The school, through the foundation, is investing heavily in fields and that development will continue for the next few years, but we're trying to put in some framework around coaching support to lift the quality of coaches and, in turn, our players. We've got lots of willing volunteers but they need the tools to pass on to the players, which is where Anna has been great.
"She's also proving to be a good role model, particularly to our girls' first and second XIs."
CNS Clinic Cup round one, June 25 (home teams first): Old Blues (Bay 1) v AFC Fury (Bay 2), Tauranga City Relics (Bay 1) v Taupo (Bay 2), Ngongotaha (Bay 2) v Otumoetai (Bay 2), Taupo (Bay 1) v Whakatane Town (Bay 1), Old Blues (Bay 2) v Papamoa (Bay 2), Te Puke United (Bay 2) v Tauranga City (Bay 2), Plains Rangers (Bay 1) v Turangi Wanderers (Bay 2), Whakatane Town (Bay 2) v Opotiki (Bay 2).
Bye to quarter-finals: Ngongotaha (Bay 1), Tauranga City (Bay 1), Otumoetai (Bay 1), Papamoa (Bay 1).
The path is clear for a new champion to be crowned in the CNS Clinic Cup knockout competition after yesterday's draw for the first round of games on June 25.
Back-to-back champions Katikati United have moved up into the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Federation League, making them ineligible for a repeat performance
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