North Force juniors
The following is a round-up of results by those North Force youth grade teams featuring various players from the Far North over the weekend with three of the five teams given the opportunity to play at Toll Stadium on Saturday.
Organising the games took quite a bit of last-minute wrangling, said NFF's North Force spokesman Dave Alabaster, with the stadium having originally been secured for the day with the North Force senior men due to play Melville but that match called off while Melville continued their charmed run in the Chatham Cup.
With funding having already been secured from Oxford Trust to have the games played at Toll, Alabaster said it was decided to give as many of the junior sides as possible an opportunity to play on the hallowed turf.
"They loved it," he said, noting all three sides played well with two recording wins in front of the home supporters present.
Under 13s
East Coast Bays 0 North Force Girls 4: Ahipara's Kalani Hewson ran rampant at Bay Park on Saturday in scoring all four goals as the North Force girls continue their unbeaten streak in the AFF Girls 13th Grade Division 2 competition.
The side now has a maximum of 18 points from six games, and a for/against tally of 22/0. Coach Paul Wolt was naturally pleased and suspected the side will play a grade up next year.
"Girls played really good pressure football. That's what I really want them to do, push the ball around, first touch control, pass, play with lots of width." Saturday's standout was Melanie Wills: "Dances around the field with almost ballet like style."
The Force have gone six points clear at the top of the standings and host Eastern Suburbs MacKenzie (sitting in 8th) at Tikipunga this Saturday in round 8 of 11.
North Force Boys 4 Forrest Hill Milford 1: The Force took a nice victory at home and at Toll Stadium to boot in round 7 (of 9) of the AFF Conference 13th Grade. The Force leapt from 8th to 4th place on the 10 team standings with 12 points from seven games; and host Western Springs Blaze (9th place with 1 point) at Tikipunga this Saturday, kick off midday.
Under 14s
North Force Boys 1 Ellerslie Metro 3: North Force remain on the bottom of the standings with this loss in round 15 (of 18) in the Metro Conference 14th Grade at Toll Stadium on Saturday. With zero points from their 15 games played and with a F/A tally of 4/102, the Force travel to play 7th placed Eastern Suburbs Hermans on Crossfield Reserve in round 16 this Saturday.
Under 15s
North Force Girls 3 Forrest Hill Milford Ferns 0: The Force 15s girls won this penultimate round 7 match at Toll Stadium to go into 7th place out of nine teams on the AFF Girls 15th Grade Division 1 standings, with two wins and five losses.
The side travels to play Norwest Diamonds (sitting in 6th) at Huapai Reserve this Saturday in the final week 8 of competition. While it looks like they are will be the first North Force team to complete their season, Alabaster said the side may end up playing a number of friendlies or an informal knockout tournament format, but admitted it remained to be seen how many Auckland sides would come north for their away affairs.
North Force Boys 1 Western Springs Calcio 2: Western Springs were left sitting in third spot after winning away over the North Force in this round 15 (of 18) match in the Metro 15th Grade at Tikipunga on Sunday.
The Force - sitting 9th, second-to-bottom on the 10 team standings with 10 points - travels to play 7th placed Oratia this coming Sunday.
Kaitaia junior draw Kaitaia United AFC junior football resumes this Saturday, round 10, with the draw as follows. Note home teams first but venues advised where not immediately apparent.
Under 6s: all five teams at Ahipara from 9am. Under 8s, all games kick off at 9am: Pamapuria v Eastern Tigers, Paparore v Eastern Stars, Oturu v Kaitaia, bye: Te Rarawa Harrisons Under 10, kick off 10am: Awanui v Eastern 1, Paparore v Eastern 2, Oturu v Kaitaia, bye Te Rarawa Far North Honda.
Under 12s, kick off 11am: Eastern v Tu Kaha, Northern Mustangs v Awanui in Paparore, Te Rarawa Stonecraft v Pompallier in Ahipara, Oturu v Te Rarawa Honda at Kaitaia Intermediate. Under 15s: Eastern v Kaitaia Fire, Outlaws v Rebels at Kaitaia Intermediate.
Senior news It appears there's only one game being played this Sunday as attempts are made to wind up the Northland Women's Premier Championship before splitting the eight teams into top and bottom four competitions. League leaders Kerikeri Siteworx play a catch-up game against Hora Hora at Tarewa Park at 1pm, the Kerikeri High side is involved in an Auckland knockout cup competition, while it appears Bay Cosmos women have no game.
Free referee courseOrganisers are hoping a large turnout will take up the offer of free entry for a referee course in Kaitaia later this month. The Northland Football Federation's club based referee course will be at Kaitaia Primary School from 2-6.30pm on Sunday, August 11. KUAFC spokesman Garth Hutchison wanted to alert all club coaches and parents about this important date which his organisation was covering the cost of entry to anyone interested in taking part.
However, Hutchison asked all interested parties to register online at the NFF website (www.nff.org.nz); click "Referees" then "Referees courses" then "Register Here" and also, "Pay later" when the payment button pops up.
"This is the only way NFF will know who is coming and if we do not have at least 10 people registered they will not come. If you are unable to do so please email your details to me so as I can do it on line," he advised.
He can be contacted at garthh@sportnorth.co.nz.