After watching an entertaining summer national league, I was pleased to see again the number of younger players from Sacred Heart College, Auckland that Coach Danny Hay used over the summer season. Better still, Hoani Edwards, Coach of the winter team has carried these players on. The pathways and development strategy formed by the Club towards the younger players has proved very successful and lifted the atmosphere around the Club and supporters. To manage this scheme the Club under Danny Hay, has employed full time quality and specialist coaches, with the result of better young Lilywhites coming through on both men’s and ladies’ teams.

Hoani’s first team squad consists of 26 players which include Michael Built (Coach) and eight players currently attending Sacred Heart College, ages from 16-17 years. The average age for the squad is 20.64 years. Campbell Strong, Kingsley Sinclair, Charles Spragg and former graduate, Kelvin Kalua have all performed very well and have supported to the hilt Tim Payne (Captain) and the older players. They have all contributed to the good standard of football that the team have been playing, hence their second position on the ladder.

Credit must go to Hoani and Kane for their great efforts in coaching and preparing the lads for battle. Keep up the good work and give us old supporters something to cheer about!

by Paul Rennell