Levin football in uncharted waters with promotion to Federation League

Promising Levin footballer Tahana Perigo,16, attracts the attention of a Wellington Pheonix Academy player at Donnelly Park.

A brave bunch of young men will either sink or swim as Horowhenua football heads into uncharted waters this season.

Levin Football Club has a senior men's side elevated from the Horizon Premiership to the Central Federation League, taking on some of the best club teams in the lower North Island each week.

And "men" could be a term used loosely. The oldest player and captain of the side Connor Vine is just 24, while the youngest, Tahana Perigo, has just turned 17.

But don't be fooled. Theirs is a team of players that has risen through the age grade ranks together and is the new future of football in the area with a huge amount of potential.

Tahana Perigo.

Levin AFC coach Peter Vine said the majority of the squad has been together for four or five years now and that showed when they won the Horizon Premiership last season, resulting in their promotion to the new league.

"Four or five years ago we had some oldies retire and we had to rebuild. We started at college level by coaching and developing youth," he said.

"And this is where we are now.

"This is the youngest team we've ever put together."

There were some fine players in the team, including Perigo, who as a striker had a bright future in the game, and is also playing for a Wellington age grade side.

Perigo had hit the ground running this year and was also playing for a Levin U17 team against a Phoenix Academy side at Donnelly Park two weeks ago.

Defensively, Levin were looking strong with Keegan Chapman and Jesse Skinner back again after a good season last year, as was Luke Spring in the midfield.

The team could take heart from some early pre-season matches where they had been competitive, losing 2-1 late in the game to Red Sox in Palmerston North a fortnight ago, and drawing 1-all with Whanganui last weekend.

Tomorrow afternoon they play Red Sox again at Memorial Park in Palmerston North. Their first Federation League match is against Peggy Gordon's in New Plymouth on March 29.