Top-performing local club earns quality benchmark

BEST PRACTICE: Tikipunga Football Club receives its official plaque recently at the AGM. (From left) Tikipunga President Mark Lett and Vice President Andrew Carvell, Northern Football Chief Executive John Limna, Football Development Officer Dave Alabaster and Game Development Manager Chris Smith.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Tikipunga Football Club are moving with the times becoming just the fifth Northern Football club - and the first in Whangarei - to be awarded NZ Football's Quality Club Mark.

The Quality Club Mark aims to promote continual improvement in the way football is delivered and to support clubs as they adopt standards of best practice.

It assesses a number of factors on and off the field ensuring that the general football community can identify those clubs that are well run and promote a positive environment and to have the opportunity to enjoy the activities and facilities offered.

Kerikeri Football Club was the first club in the area to be awarded the new NZF status and have been joined by East Coast Bays, Oratia United, Ranui Swanson and now Tikipunga.

In the past Tikipunga has been the first to pick up NZ Football initiatives and became the first club to trial a new system of midget football development in 2010 - which was later introduced throughout Whangarei.

Northern Football's Game Development Manager Chris Smith said the club's work with Sport Northland in recent years, and in particular Community Sport Advisor Jason Hannah, left it in a strong position in terms of governance, leadership and "on the field" delivery.

"This is a springboard for the club as they continue to grow, and the committee is already looking to the future and working towards 2-Star," he said.

NZ Football's Community Development Manager Jamie Milne said this is a memorable achievement by the club and its hard working volunteers.

"I am pleased to see the positive working relationship between Northern Football and the Regional Sport Trust, Sport Northland.

"Everyone at Tikipunga Football Club can feel very proud at achieving Quality Club Mark 1-Star status, a great way to end 2014 and usher in 2015."