Canadian import Oliver Coren, of Toronto, wanted to venture into the unknown and found traction with Napier City Rovers. Photo/Warren Buckland
Budgetary constraints are always frustrating for any sport when it comes to footing it in the big leagues because, let's face it, more moolah means more of just about everything.
But the prudent will argue the imposing figures on financial statements simply tell clubs what they can't afford but it should never stop players and management from buying into the concept of success.
Push those numbers aside and teams find even modest budgets can easily equate to expressions of values and aspirations. The strength of a chequebook makes way for the size of players' hearts.
Conroy Removals Napier City Rovers player Oliver Coren attests to that before the Blues kick off away against Wellington United from 2.30pm today at Newtown Park in the capital city.
"I think in the end you play the game because you love the club and you love the game," says Coren of the round 15 Lotto Central League soccer match.
"You see some of the clubs have much bigger budgets but once you step on to the field it doesn't really matter and I think we've shown that."
Coren agrees there's no price to passion once players start digging deep for emotional fuel.
It'll be an intriguing encounter between fourth-placed Rovers and Wellington United who are sitting a rung below them on an inferior goal average but on equal 20 points.
The 23-year-old Canadian import is playing the Wellington Phoenix feeder club for the first time this winter after missing the first five games, making his Rovers debut away against Stop Out, a match after the 6-2 loss to Wellington United at Bluewater Stadium in Park Island.
The premier winter league has impressed midfielder from Toronto who is relishing playing in it.
Coren played semi-professionally for Kingston Clippers and Queen's University team in Toronto before graduating with a degree in geography.
"This opportunity came up so playing at this level appealed to me and it was a chance to exploit this part of the world and I'm really enjoying it."
Coren is surprised at how cold it has been in Hawke's Bay in his first trip to the country although he was basking in the 17C weather yesterday.
It was the desire to venture into the unknown that got him to leave his comfort zone but the defensive midfielder, who prefers to be in the engine room, has enjoyed the hospitality and professionalism at the Napier club based at Park Island.
With the Chatham Cup hopes dashed in round three after a 5-4 extra-time loss here to Wairarapa United, he says the Blues are still running out on to the park with the mentality of making it to the top rung of the league.
Western Suburbs are the league leaders on 35 points.
Wairarapa United, who beat Rovers 3-1 a fortnight ago at Masterton, are four points behind while Stop Out, who lost 4-1 at Bluewater Stadium on July 9, are third on 26 points.
"We're gunning for the top so that's our goal. We're also have a squad of guys who are very competitive who want to win every game regardless of the situation.
"I think we all feel we have a lot to play for," he says, revealing the belief is high in reeling in the top three.
The frustration is not having had the full squad when the season kicked off although dwelling on the past isn't their thing.
"I firmly believe that if we had everyone here we would be in the running for the title right now ... but that's the nature of the league."
Coren says so many people at the club here are committed to the cause both on and off the pitch.
"The club has a much smaller budget than a lot of teams they are competing against."
With the Bill Robertson and Stu James-coached imposing a policy of bringing the ball down to play "football" he feels the Blues should beat the opposition today.
The weather, of course, in the capital he confesses is another challenge.
His parents, Michael, a journalist, and Bernadette, a former English teacher, are from London.
Coren, brother Daniel, 28, and two sisters are all born in Canada.
"My parents and my brother and sisters all grew up huge football fans."
He and Daniel had immense rivalry despite the gulf in age with Coren finding mental toughness in his struggles.
Soccer is booming in his country and a professional Canadian Premier League is in the offing next year in their northern summer/autumn season.
WELLINGTON UTD: 1 Keegan Smith (GK), 2 Oliver Valentine, 3 Luke Tongue, 4 Liam Wood, 5 Sam Phillip, 6 Ben Mata, 7 Tinashe Marowa, 8 Liberato Cacace, 9 Willem Ebbinge, 10 Sarpreet Singh, 11 Nick Lane, 12 Luke Johnson, 13 Noah Tipene, 14 Tuyi Byamana, 15 Jake Williams, 16 Tommi-Joe McIndoe, 17 Ollie Whyte, 18 Liam Moore, 19 Thomas Raimbault, 20 Jack Henry Sinclair, 21 Owen Smith, 22 Noah Tipene, 23 Sam Sutton, 24 Ben Waine, Zac Dean (RGK).
Coach: Andy Hedge.
Assistant coaches: Paul Temple, Weijie Lim, Grayson Harwood, Justin Raffan.
NAPIER CITY ROVERS: 1 Ruben Parker Hanks (GK), 2 Blake Koolen, 3 Bradley Perks, 4 Jonny Cox, 5 Matt Bruin, 6 Oliver Coren, 7 Jean-Michel Paulin, 8 Chris McIvor, 9 Angus Kilkolly, 10 Fahad Rwakarambwe, 12 Ethan Ladd, 14 Joshua Stevenson (vc), 15 James Hoyle, 16 Danny Wilson, 17 Fergus Neil (c), 18 Karan Mandair, 19 Bill Robertson, 20 Charlie Yexley, 21 Kyle Baxter (RGK).
Coach: Bill Robertson.
Assistant coach: Stu James.