Napier City Rovers defender Luca Barclay (inset) is loving being back at the Bluewater Stadium-based club, a side he made his senior debut for aged 16, before taking his footballing talents elsewhere. Photos / NZME
For four seasons, Hawke’s Bay football product Luca Barclay said he endured some “horrible” moments fronting up at Bluewater Stadium.
The 22-year-old defender has quickly emerged this year as one of the most reliable and consistent players in Napier City Rovers’ line-up.
It’s a team he made his Central League debut for back in 2021, aged just 16.
But between 2022 and 2025 Barclay, has lined up in an opposition strip – most regularly that of Wellington club Waterside Karori – whenever he has strode on to Bluewater Stadium.
He will once again line up for Napier City Rovers on Sunday at Bluewater Stadium – with the crowd firmly behind him – as they take on FC Western in round nine of the 2026 Central League.
Barclay – a junior accountant – said while the challenge of trying to beat Napier City Rovers on their home ground was something he had relished, it wasn’t his favourite game of the season.
“I loved battling them and trying to beat them at their own game, because it is horrible coming here,” he said.
“Every team hates it ... you have to travel and then play them on a Sunday.
“Everyone gets up, the crowd is up for it and it’s never fun playing against Napier City Rovers at Bluewater Stadium.
“But now I’m back, I’m certainly enjoying being back at Bluewater Stadium. I’m on the right side of it [the crowd reaction].”
Barclay has started all seven of his side’s league matches so far this season, including last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Miramar Rangers on the road.
His return has seen him form a staunch defensive unit alongside the likes of captain Jim Hoyle, Liam Schofield and Jack Albertini.
Before the game against Miramar, it was a defence that had been broken for a solitary goal in the earlier 2-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.
His return to Napier City Rovers has allowed him to reunite on the pitch with two of his best mates; fellow Hawke’s Bay local players Albertini, aged 22, and Sam Lack, aged 21.
“I’m loving being back, playing with some of my best mates,” Barclay said.
“I’ve been playing with those two since I was 10 years old. And outside of football, they’re also my best mates as well.
“So it’s quite good to play with them for once, instead of against them.”
The return to Hawke’s Bay had also been special as he can play in front of his family more often.
His parents come to every game at Bluewater Stadium.
His Gisborne-based grandmother was also a frequent spectator, as was his uncle, who lives in Central Hawke’s Bay.
“It’s special playing in front of those guys,” Barclay said.
“There’s also friends I that I know from high school who come along, so it’s quite cool reconnecting with everyone.”
What they – and other Napier City Rovers fans – have seen from Barclay this season is a young man whose playing maturity and experience exceeds his relatively young age.
Despite turning 22 in January, the defender is closing in on playing the 100th top-flight league match of his career – encompassing matches in both the Central League and the National League.
Since debuting as a teen for Napier City Rovers, Barclay has played Central League and National League football for Havelock North Wanderers, Waterside Karori and Wellington Olympic.
He said reaching the milestone was something he would “definitely be proud of”.
Barclay also doesn’t hesitate in outlining his role at the back.
“I like being hard to play against, being aggressive and just stop whoever my attacker is; giving them nothing the entire game,” he said.
“That’s my favourite thing. Keeping the strikers, the supposed best players on the team, out and not giving them a sniff.”
That is something Barclay and the wider Napier City Rovers defensive unit have done superbly in keeping the opposition scoreless in five of their opening seven matches.
In Hoyle, Barclay is now playing alongside one of the best captains and most reliable defenders in New Zealand Football’s league system.
Barclay – who had a stint captaining Waterside Karori - is a leader in his own right in the way he makes his presence felt on the pitch and the way he encourages less experienced Napier City Rovers squad members on game day and on the training pitch.
“Jim is a great captain,” Barclay said. “Being able to be by his side and be a leader with him is, especially from the back, is something I love doing.”
Before Sunday’s match with FC Western, Napier City Rovers are third on the points table, trailing leaders Miramar Rangers by six points.
But the side have a game in hand after the scheduled third-round clash against Island Bay was postponed because of Cyclone Vaianu.
FC Western sit at the bottom of the league, having lost all seven of their matches and posting a grim -23 goals for and against record.
Like his teammates, Barclay is firmly chasing silverware this season.
Last year, he was part of the Wellington Olympic side who lost the National League final to Auckland City on penalties. Barclay slotted home his penalty attempt.
He was also a key member of the Waterside Karori team who upset the odds to make it to the semifinal stage of the 2023 Chatham Cup.
“At the start of the season we [Napier City Roves] talked about having to make the National League. But now I’m like, we’re in a good place to go do more,” Barclay said.
“Why not go win Chatham Cup as well or win the [Central] league and dethrone Wellington Olympic? That’s what I’m thinking now ... go big or go home.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014, has 34 years of newsroom experience and has covered Napier City Rovers since 2022.
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