THE NEWSLETTER OF WAIUKU AFC
August 30, 2007

What an end to the season!

Those of us who have been around Waiuku football a while are struggling to recall a better end to the season for the club as a whole.

While there will always be debate about which team has been the best-ever for the club  - that 1970 cup and league-winning side must go close, as must the side in the late 80s that forced their way into what was then the regional Northern Leagues – for constant performances in a tough league the current generation of Premiers have to sit highly in the rankings.

A quick look at the last few seasons sees them pitted against quality opposition and regularly in the top three, leading the Auckland Super Division for a long while last year, and taking Waiheke right to the wire this year.

Barring some very odd results (like Metro beating Waiheke and us putting 22 goals past Lynn Avon), it looks like the silver medal for the Blues this year.

BUT; this year is not just about the Premiers – let’s have a quick look at Waiuku New World AFC as a whole. For the first time I can remember, every single side has a chance at a podium finish or a trophy this year, and most of it will be well on the way to being settled by Sunday afternoon.

Kentish Premiers

Currently second in the league, playing for the historic Counties Cup on Saturday night at Papatoetoe against Pukekohe, and with the chance to make it back-to-back wins in the Cup for the club for the first time ever! Be there at Murdoch Park for the 6.30pm kickoff and let’s turn the stadium blue!

Mens Reserves

Confirmation of other results has come through, and with some game-time left in the season, Peter’s boys have wrapped up the Auckland fourth division title! They’re playing Fencibles at home at 1pm on Saturday, so get down the club before you head to Murdoch Park and let’s celebrate with the guys. They can win by nine points if they take this match, and when you look at the standings you have to credit their defence. With 44 goals scored, they are ranked only fifth in scorers, but they have only conceded 12 goals in 17 matches – no-one else has conceded less than 20. Hopefully they can finish in style, and the timing of the matches means there’s no excuses for the club to get along and watch…except for….

Mens Thirds

The only guys with an excuse for not watching the Reserves are Mandy’s Men in the third team, who travel to Three Kings United to play the plate final of their combined division knockout. It hasn’t been the easiest season for the lads, but they’ve found themselves in a position to finish with a bang, and bring another piece of silverware to Waiuku.

Womens Premiers

What a difference a couple of players can make to a team! Our Premier girls have been there or thereabouts all season, having some close tussles with some of the top teams in the region, but going down by the odd goal in a number of matches. Lately though, those results have seen matches going our way and it’s a combination of the quality already in the team, some new-found confidence, and the injection of Lara and Lisa Wooles who have arrived from the UK and slotted into the Blues as though they have been there forever. Credit has to go to Cody as well for his great trainings, but these girls are playing as well as any side to take the field for Waiuku.

The signs are there that 2008 could be our year, but first, there’s the little matter of the Federation Womens Knockout Cup. The girls bowled the defending champions, Western Springs a couple of weeks ago, then proved that was no fluke when they beat them again in the league on Sunday.

Now they travel to Pukekohe this Sunday for the second of the club’s big clashes with the Maroons this weekend.

If the lads can claim the Cup on Saturday night, celebrations will be even better on Sunday afternoon if the girls knock over Puke’s Division Two side to make the semi-finals of their Cup.

Womens Reserves

Last, but by no means least, Dale’s ladies have two tough matches to finish their season, but destiny is in their own hands (or should that be feet?). They have a game in hand on most of the league’s contenders and on Sunday travel to Omana Park to take on second-placed Papatoetoe United. The math is simple: Papatoetoe are on 34 points, we are on 31, and they have a three-goal advantage on us. No-one’s going to catch Waiheke, but a win by 4 over Papatoetoe means we can’t finish worse than third. A win on Sunday, followed by a draw or better against Waiheke the following week (at home!) means second place in the division. Third placed Pukekohe play sixth-placed Western Springs, so if Pukekohe lose that would help our cause, but it’s great to be two games out from the end knowing it’s up to us.

Summary: Crystal-ball gazing is dangerous, but potentially New World Waiuku AFC’s trophy cabinet this year could see: Kentish Mens Prems; 2nd in Lotto Super Division, Counties Cup winners, Tom McNabb Champion of Champions winners; Mens Reserves: Federation Championship winners; Mens Thirds: Knockout Cup winners: Womens Premiers: Federation Knockout Cup winners, Womens Reserves: 2nd in Federation Championship.

And this is all before the Copper Eights tournament! On that matter, if you haven’t got your squad sorted yet, get onto it with your manager and get them to collect the entry fee and get it to Nigel ASAP. There’ll be hot competition in the mens and womens events this year so let’s cross our fingers for the weather. Anyone with a tent, marquee or similar, please get in touch with Nigel, plus anyone with some spare time (yeah, right!) is needed to help out. Girls can help Saturday 15th , boys (no doubt with hangovers!) on Sunday 16th.

Our sponsors

I know I mention this every week, but seriously, make an effort to purchase off the guys that support us. Wear your club shirts around the town, mention to the sponsors that you appreciate their support, encourage other people to support them etc etc.
2007 has been the best year ever for local business support but they don’t do it for fun – they see it as an investment and it’s in our hands to make them realize how effective supporting a strong club can be.
While everyone else is looking forward to putting their feet up over summer, your club’s sponsorship committee will be presenting our 2008 contracts to our sponsors.
Make our lives easier (and improve your club) by having happy sponsors when we go in to see them.
(Or we can put subs up to $500 per player and me and Tracey can spend summer on the beach!).

That’s my bit of bossiness for this newsletter, so for now, organise your face paint and your blue outfits and let’s make Murdoch Park a home ground for Waiuku on Saturday night! Bus leaves at 4.30pm from the Kentish Carpark for those with tickets. Right now I’ve only got seven tickets left (I think), so try your luck but be prepared to take your car.

Go the Blues!
Nigel