Top level youth football will be coming to Wairarapa next year, with newly-formed Heartland Wairarapa set to accept an invitation from New Zealand Football to join the ASB Youth League.
Chairman Bob Francis is delighted there is an opening for Heartland Wairarapa to enter the competition, which he seesas an important step in the quest to have a senior ASB Premiership side based in the region.
"This invitation is great news for Wairarapa sport and shows the strength of football in the area," Francis said. "We have written to New Zealand Football asking for clarification on a couple of points but, basically, we are now moving forward to formalise our organisation, appoint coaches, recruit players and put plans in place ready to kick off in the new year."
Francis said there was already tremendous interest from players based in Wairarapa and elsewhere, and Heartland Wairarapa did not anticipate any major issues in putting together a competitive squad of 30 in good time.
"Some of our local youngsters are certainly talented enough and there are other players who have moved away from the region for one reason or another who will probably be encouraged to return," he said.
Competition rules for the youth league also state each team can field two over-age players, with another three on the bench at any one time, and Francis said this would help add some experience and structure to the side.
And there was also the carrot of Heartland Wairarapa gaining entry to the ASB Premiership after proving themselves in the youth competition and that would be a big drawcard for the players as well.
"Obviously we were disappointed to miss out on the premiership this time around but what we have here is a fantastic opportunity to get the organisation up and running and establish ourselves as a club which delivers on and off the pitch," Francis said.
"There are some great people involved in Heartland Wairarapa and their passion and expertise will ensure that we live up to expectations."
Francis said Wairarapa had tasted national success in football with Wairarapa United winning the Chatham Cup in 2011 and that the formation of the youth team was just the next step in the growth of football throughout the region.
Heartland Wairarapa will play at Masterton's Memorial Park, which meets New Zealand Football's criteria of providing a covered grandstand, along with player and spectator facilities.
The timing of the ASB Youth League works in well with rugby, as the competition concludes in March, well before Wairarapa-Bush's Heartland championship commitments take precedence.
