Hawkes Bay Today
  • Hawke's Bay Today home
  • Latest news
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology

Locations

  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Havelock North
  • Central Hawke's Bay
  • Tararua

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Gisborne

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Hawkes Bay Today

‘Not making up the numbers’: Rovers’ recruit aims high in football’s National League

Neil Reid
By Neil Reid
Senior reporter·NZ Herald·
17 Oct, 2023 07:58 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Ry McLeod has impressed throughout Napier City Rovers' National League campaign to date, with the side sitting just outside the top two four games in. Photo / Neil Reid

Ry McLeod has impressed throughout Napier City Rovers' National League campaign to date, with the side sitting just outside the top two four games in. Photo / Neil Reid

Taking the step up to the National League is not fazing Napier City Rovers’ teenage recruit Ry McLeod.

The 19-year-old was picked up from Melville United by coach Bill Robertson for the 2023 National League after his Hamilton-based club – who reached this year’s Chatham Cup final – failed to qualify for the country’s top-tier domestic league.

And McLeod has taken his opportunity, starting in the side’s four games to date; including last Saturday night’s 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the capital.

Ahead of Sunday’s fifth-round clash against Manurewa AFC at Bluewater Stadium, he opened up about his motivation for heading to Napier for the National League and his confidence in his new team to keep rising up the points table.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“I always have the mindset of going out to win,” McLeod said.

“Like, I want to win this.

“When I came here the first day I met Bill, I was like, ‘We’re not coming here to be participants’. And he agreed, so, that was really good.”

Ry McLeod has hugely impressed for Napier City Rovers in football's 2023 National League after relocating from Hamilton. Photo / Neil Reid
Ry McLeod has hugely impressed for Napier City Rovers in football's 2023 National League after relocating from Hamilton. Photo / Neil Reid

Four rounds into the National League and Napier City Rovers are showing they definitely aren’t there to make up the numbers.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The side is in fifth place, just two points off second spot. And on current standings, just two of their remaining five games are against sides above them on the standings.

Last weekend’s winner was scored by Deri Corfe, with his 49th-minute penalty meaning he is the only player in this year’s National League to have scored in each of their club’s matches.

Outstanding import Deri Corfe's goalscoring streak in the National League continued in the 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix Reserves last Saturday night. Photo / Neil Reid
Outstanding import Deri Corfe's goalscoring streak in the National League continued in the 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix Reserves last Saturday night. Photo / Neil Reid

Corfe didn’t just stand out on attack; he was also one of his side’s most mobile players in the win and constantly tracked back to help stymie opposition attacks and offer support to his teammates.

In a second successive complete team performance from Robertson’s team, McLeod was one of many Rovers standouts in a line-up which against Wellington Phoenix Reserves was depleted due to suspensions and other unavailabilities.

Earlier in the year McLeod impressed for Melville United in both their Northern League campaign and their Chatham Cup run, the latter of which saw them agonisingly lose the final to Christchurch United on penalties.

In mid-August he won a New Zealand Football Goal of the Week award following a curling shot from outside the penalty area that beat Bay Olympic’s goalkeeper.

Congratulations to Ry Mcleod of @MelvilleUnited for winning this rounds goal of the week with his fantastic curling effort at the weekend. ⚽️⚽️🔥🔥#NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/306RhX1mLp

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) August 10, 2023

Melville United’s ninth-placed Northern League finish meant it missed qualification for the 10-team National League.

National League clubs were able to pick up two under-20 players for the current campaign.

Napier City Rovers were one of several clubs who did make the cut from the Central and Northern leagues who tried to sign him.

Ry McLeod receives treatment after being fouled in Napier City Rovers' National League-opening 3-0 win over Petone. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid
Ry McLeod receives treatment after being fouled in Napier City Rovers' National League-opening 3-0 win over Petone. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid

“A few teams reached out to me, and Bill definitely sounded the best offer,” McLeod said of his shift to Napier. “It sounded really good to me and I’m, really happy with my choice.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

McLeod has wasted little time in impressing both teammates and Napier City Rovers with his work rate and skills in his first four games.

That included his debut in Napier City Rovers’ league-opening 3-0 win over Petone, where McLeod was a constant menace for the defence when on the ball.

Ry McLeod says he is under no illusions that he sees his future as a professional footballer. Photo / Neil Reid
Ry McLeod says he is under no illusions that he sees his future as a professional footballer. Photo / Neil Reid

The Tauranga-born player said his Melville United teammates weren’t surprised he had been signed up elsewhere for the National League.

But they were equally adamant they wanted him back in Hamilton next year, and not extend his stay in Napier into the 2024 season.

“I don’t think they were too surprised,” he said.

“I think they were kind of warning me before it happened that it was going to happen and, they were happy for me to get the opportunity. But they were definitely trying to keep a little eye on me and they want me back obviously.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It would not be surprising if Napier City Rovers want him for the duration of 2024.

Another club likely to chase him next year is former club Tauranga City who earned promotion to the Northern League. But Napier City Rovers seems the most likely club to offer him a realistic chance of qualification to the 2024 National League.

Ry McLeod, pictured second from left, has been warmly welcomed by his new teammates at Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid
Ry McLeod, pictured second from left, has been warmly welcomed by his new teammates at Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid

Robertson said he had been impressed with what McLeod had shown on and off the pitch since arriving days before the National League kicked off.

He said he had been a “great addition” who had a strong “work ethic” and who had also quickly fitted in well with his new teammates.

McLeod has started in each of Napier City Rovers’ four National League matches to date, with Robertson saying it was great that the club was able to provide such a talented youngster from outside the region with the chance to play in the highest domestic league in New Zealand.

Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says he is impressed with what Ry McLeod has contributed both on and off the pitch for Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid
Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says he is impressed with what Ry McLeod has contributed both on and off the pitch for Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid

“We want to bring good people into the club,” Robertson said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“We’re not just bringing anyone into the club.

“He’s a young player who’s very driven, he’s ambitious, he wants to get better and wants to develop.

“He’s technically a good footballer and hopefully we’ll see more of that to come in the next five games.”

Teenager Ry McLeod is again set to line up for Napier City Rovers in their National League clash against Manurewa AFC at Bluewater Stadium on Sunday. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid
Teenager Ry McLeod is again set to line up for Napier City Rovers in their National League clash against Manurewa AFC at Bluewater Stadium on Sunday. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid

While McLeod has rapidly made a name for himself around the domestic football scene this season, if he has his way, he will be playing on pitches further afield in seasons to come.

“There’s no doubt in my mind, and there never has been, that I want to be professional ... anywhere in the world,” he said.

“That’s my life goal.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“I don’t have a backup plan really. It’s something I want to do, just the label of being professional [is my goal].”

>> Napier City Rovers v Manurewa AFC

Kick-off: Sunday, 2pm

Bluewater Stadium

Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Sport

Premium
Hawkes Bay Today

Black Ferns: Tui pair on the big bird for matches in South Africa

Premium
Hawkes Bay Today

Two CHB wins on finals weekend at McLean Park

Hawkes Bay Today

Club rugby stars announced in Magpies NPC squad


Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Premium
Premium
Black Ferns: Tui pair on the big bird for matches in South Africa
Hawkes Bay Today

Black Ferns: Tui pair on the big bird for matches in South Africa

The two started their senior women's rugby for Hawke's Bay while still at school.

17 Jul 04:00 AM
Premium
Premium
Two CHB wins on finals weekend at McLean Park
Hawkes Bay Today

Two CHB wins on finals weekend at McLean Park

15 Jul 06:00 PM
Club rugby stars announced in Magpies NPC squad
Hawkes Bay Today

Club rugby stars announced in Magpies NPC squad

15 Jul 06:00 PM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Hawke's Bay Today e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Hawke's Bay Today
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • NZME Events
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP