Football
Phil Keinzley admits to being discouraged.
The Wairarapa United Central League coach is struggling to come to terms with the attitude of some of the region's most promising footballing talent who have been turning down the chance to play for the club's premier side.
This is despite the fact they are part of a Wairarapa United seconds team which is leading the Capital third division series.
"We always get flak from people who say we don't do enough to encourage our local players but we've made a real effort to provide pathways for them over the past couple of seasons and you have wonder whether it's all been been worthwhile," Keinzley said.
"There have been four or five occasions already this season where we have asked some of the youngsters to join the premier squad and they have turned us down. You have to ask yourself whether that's defeating the purpose of what the seconds team is all about."
Keinzley said the intention of having the Wairarapa United seconds involved in Capital interclub play was always based around the desire to provide a higher standard of football for their players and under the astute coaching of Central League regular Miroslav Tvaroh the results this season were proof of the benefits of that exercise. However, it was vital for both their own development, and the club, that they were prepared to take the next step when given the opportunity.
"They don't get asked to join the premiers unless we think they are ready to be exposed at that level and you would think they would jump at the chance. Unfortunately, that isn't happening. Their attitude seems to be they would rather play for the colleges and the seconds rather than the premiers. Personally I don't get that, it's very frustrating."
This weekend will see the Wairarapa United Central League squad looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-1 loss to Petone on Saturday with a win over Napier City Rovers in a Chatham Cup elimination match to be played in Napier.
Both Wairarapa United and Napier City Rovers will go into the game with their chances of a league title now virtually non-existent and relying on a lengthy run in the Chatham Cup to keep life in their 2013 campaigns. Consequently Keinzley is anticipating a battle royal in what will be a repeat of the 2011 cup final, won by Wairarapa United 2-1.
"Whoever loses this one doesn't have a lot to look forward to, it's a hell of a big game for both of us," he said.
The main question mark hovering over the Wairarapa United starting line-up is who will partner Seule Soromon up front. The former Vanuatu international has been finding the net on a regular basis in recent weeks and has cemented his spot and the betting before the Petone match would have been that Frenchman Charles Francois Mallman would be the second striker. However, another of the newer recruits in George Jermy was one of the few to come away with his reputation unscathed and Keinzley could be tempted to go with him in an attacking role.
Meanwhile, there was notable success for the three Wairarapa teams contesting Capital interclub competitions over the weekend. Douglas Villa beat Stop Out 3-2 in their second division match while in third division Wairarapa United seconds thrashed Petone 12-0, White Swan Greytown beat Marist 2-1 and Gardner Electrical Masterton defeated Waterside-Karori Cougars 3-0.
Points tables: Second division: Island Bay United 24, Western Suburbs 19, Douglas Villa 18, Naenae 17, Upper Hutt City 12, Stop Out 12, Lower Hutt City 9, Wellington Olympic 6, Wellington United 4, Tawa Bulldogs 3. Third division: Wairarapa United seconds 25, Victoria University 22, Waterside-Karori Cougars 16, Petone Armanis 15, White Swan Greytown 12, Gardner Electrical Masterton 9, Marist 8, Petone 8, Wainuiomata 6 and NW Inglorious White Socks 5.