“We also included the youth, from 13-year-olds upwards, because that’s where they play the development leagues.”
The change wasn’t easy, especially with rivalry between the clubs, but “we’ve overcome that for the development of football within the region”.
“We still have that local rivalry, from a social perspective, so each club will have their own casual teams as they have today, and play each other.
“But from a tier one football, we wanted it to be everyone, so we can really show the talent from Kāpiti and Horowhenua.”
Another reason was that a lot of youth players were going outside of Kāpiti and Horowhenua, into places like Wellington, “because they feel it’s better quality, better players”.
“We want to stop that and keep those kids here and play for their local team.”
Sturman said there was a working group from each club which met on a weekly basis “to move this forward”.
“We are going to become a separate entity so will be a not-for-profit organisation. When that happens we will create a proper board.”
He said the initiative was “really exciting” but noted not everyone was happy with it, especially because of rivalries, “but we need to look at the bigger picture”.
“If you were going to ask me five or six years ago would this ever happen, my answer would have been no, because there wasn’t the will as well as the rivalries, but we’ve overcome that which I think has been a massive achievement.
“We’ve got fantastic quality coaches that are coaching across the whole club.
“These are high-end, highly trained coaches that will bring fantastic development for our senior and youth players.”
Sturman said a key aim was to “knock on the door of central league” in three to five years time.
“It’s something that wouldn’t have been able to have been achieved if we continued the way we were.”
Kāpiti Coast United chair Tracy Nyhan said, “It’s great to be able to work together with a common goal to support strengthening football on the coast.
“The support we have had from members of all clubs shows the passion for football in our communities.”
Meanwhile, a competition is under way to design a badge for the newly formed HCFC to identify it.
It is seeking a design that references such things as the two districts, or all of the local clubs — Paekākāriki, Kāpiti Coast United, Waikanae, Ōtaki and Manakau, as well as links to football.
Three of the best designs will be chosen and developed with the help of a professional graphic designer.
The three designs will then be put out for people to vote via social media, and the winning design will become the badge of HCFC.
Entries are open for anyone, draw your design and send it through to footballonthecoast@gmail.com or send a message to the club via its Facebook page Horowhenua Coastal FC. Entries close on Tuesday, February 28, 5pm.
