Age-group talent on show,Hawke’s Bay teams to visit for matches

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FOOTBALL

Federation Talent Centre age-group football is coming to town.

Hawke’s Bay teams will be in Gisborne on Saturday and Sunday for the first game days of a newly restructured FTC (representative) football season.

On Saturday, the girls’ under-12, u14 and 16-and-over teams will each play two games against Hawke’s Bay at Nelson Park.

They have been training well over the past couple of weeks and are looking forward to getting on the field.

Gisborne u12 girls are coached by Erin Sycamore and Haley Pierard. All the players in this team turn out in the local Saturday morning competition against teams with boys and girls, so this is an opportunity to play against all-female opposition.

Most of the squad have played at FTC level before so know what to expect from the weekend games.

Wainui Thunder striker Kya Solomon is one who catches the eye week in, week out with her close skills and eye for goal.

Ilminster midfielder/striker Charley Lepper and Gisborne Intermediate defender Charli Walker could both have a bright future in the game.

The u14 girls are coached by Neil Aitkenhead and Central Football community development officer Blake Mulrooney.

This side has a good mix of talent, with four of the players having Central Football federation team experience — Dara Mulrooney, Tayla Broughton, Grace Levy and Manaia Mill.

Competition is keen among the 13- and 14-year-old girls vying for starting spots in this side.

Women’s football development officer Lizzie Hall coaches the girls’ 16-and-over team.

Hall has a well-balanced side with plenty of experience in the local women’s competition.

Federation player and Gisborne United defender Rubi Perano has had an outstanding season in local football, while Riverina defender Lily-Mae Auckram adds plenty of experience to the side.

Brooke Bennett plays in goal for Taradale in the Federation League every weekend, so Gisborne are defensively solid.

On Sunday, the boys’ teams will play.

Gisborne u12 coaches Matt Pierard and John Hill Jnr have an exciting, attack-minded side. Nathaniel Fearnley shows maturity beyond his years and will be the linchpin of this side. With attackers like Matt Hills and Ziggy Hill, scoring goals should not be a problem.

Boys’ u13 coach Laurie Holmes has had his team training hard and doing the odd team-building exercise, the mud run being an example.

Laurie’s son Kauri is a versatile young footballer with sound technique and an eye for goal. Timuaki Stewart and new addition to the FTC programme, leftback Kaden Manderson, have also impressed.

Eric Barbier and Matt Smith will coach the under-14/15 boys this season. Two Federation players — Jimmy Somerton and Ollie Davies — are in the side. Liam Barbier, Oska Smith and Ollie’s brother Alex are also handy footballers.

Games on both days start at 12 midday and 2pm.