Big day for Juniors

Wanganui Athletic's Under 11 players Ollie Hutchins with Jacob King finding a way around their bigger Ashurst opposition at last year's Open Junior Tournament.

Wembley Park will be buzzing again this Sunday as the Wanganui Athletic Football Club will hosts another Open Junior Tournament.

Last year's tournament, the first of its kind since 2009, attracted 21 club, school and composite teams, and proved so popular that this year there will be 32 entries.

A under 16's grade has been added to the under 9, 11 and 13 divisions of last year, with games being played in round-robin format across ten fields, compare to seven at Wembley last year.

As well as the local clubs and school teams, visiting sides will be coming from nearby regions including Hunterville, Hawera, Ashurst, Kapiti, Wellington, Upper Hutt, Tawa and Hokowhitu.

Three will be coming from the strong Wellington-based club Western Suburbs, many of whose players have been nurtured by the much-regarded Ole Football Academy in Porirua.

Suburbs won the under 11-13 grades last year.

The under 9 title was won by the Wanganui East Phoenix, who went on an undefeated run across their six games.

A notable entry to the event will be Wanganui Athletic's own all-girl team the Athletic Starlets, the only all-female team in the tournament.

WAFC tournament organisers have been working hard to lift the standard and improve on last year's efforts.

This year will see 13 qualified referees, medals awarded to both winners and runners up, and running results posted as they come in.

Event manager Gary Johnston is pleased with the 50-50 mix from local and visiting sides.

"For kids that aren't involved in representative teams, this tournament is a great chance to size themselves up against their peers in a higher level of competition.

"The tournament was open to all players, so every kid had an opportunity to be involved."

The Wanganui Athletic FC leadership is hoping to make the tournament an established event on the football calendar.

All rounds kick off at 9am, with a prizegiving ceremony to be held at approximately 4pm.