United Soccer1 under-16 boys snatched their third back-to-back victory at the National Age-grade Tournament in Napier on the weekend.
Coach Dean Wheatley has been in charge of the same group of boys for three years, who have claimed the under-13, under-14 and now the under-16 titles.
A proud Wheatley spoke highly about
the side who have been training since October for the event.
"It was testament to the hard work this team have put in over the last few years," he said.
"This group has only lost one game in that time - and winning three championships in a row is virtually unheard of."
The championships kicked off last Wednesday, concluding on Sunday.
US1 were too strong for their regional counterparts, beating Capital by one point, and grabbing the title off their Auckland neighbours.
North Force reserves players Murray Wootten, Tom Taylor and Mitch Hill were part of the winning side.
But success for Northern zone, encompassing players from Waitakere, North Shore and Northland, did not stop there. The under-14 boys also claimed their age-group title. Northland's 13-year-old Daniel Ridgely was voted most valuable under-14 player of the tournament.
Ridgely, who plays for the North Force youth side was among several Northland footballers spotted by New Zealand Football scouts at the tournament as players with high potential.
Wootten, 15, and Northland Development Squad member Jessie Innes, in action for the US1 under-15 girls' team, were also identified as rising stars and their progress will be monitored throughout the year, Wheatley said.
US1 under-15 boys and girls sides both finished third. The under-14 girls US1 side including Michelle Tanley and Ariana Kake, who are also part of the Northland development squad, finished fifth.
The under-16 girls made use of North Force's Nicci Couling and completed the competition in fourth spot.
For their efforts, the United Soccer1 were awarded the Federation Trophy, capping off a highly successful tournament.
