Football: Gritty NBHS among 32 hopefuls in NZ premier tourney

Napier Boys' High School will use the memorable Super 8 title-winning effort to lift them for the NZ premier secondary schoolboys' soccer tourney in Napier from Monday. Photo/file

Napier Boys' High School will be among 32 teams vying for the bragging rights as the best New Zealand secondary schoolboys' soccer team in Napier from Monday.

Park Island in Napier is hosting the premier boys' tournament but fans have been urged to be there early as parking space will be tight with the city also hosting the secondary schoolgirls' hockey tourney at the adjacent stadium.

Last year's winners, Sacred Heart College, from Auckland, will be among the contenders the Marty Akers-coached NBHS will have to overcome to make it an even more memorable year.

In July, the Napier schoolboys pipped Hamilton Boys' High School 3-2 in a penalty-kick shootout at the Hastings Boys' High School ground to become the Super 8 champions.

In that game NBHS showed where they lacked a little composure they made up for it with gritty determination to take the hapless Hamiltonians into extra time.

The Grant Hastings-coached HBHS, who didn't fare so well in the Super 8 tourney as hosts, have a great chance to redeem themselves at the nationals next week but will have to have more players step up rather than rely on a couple.

Last year's bowl winners, Lincoln High School, and the plate winners, Waimea College, will be in the same boat.

Tournament director Greg Kettle says they are introducing a new format this year.

"In previous years a team's position from pool play largely determined what eight each team would be in and then their final position was found from here.

"This year sees the top two teams from each pool [eight] go into the top group of 16 and the bottom two teams into the bottom 16. This gives teams a better chance of reaching the top eight if they find themselves in a tough pool," says Kettle.

He says Park Island looks in excellent condition because Napier council park staff have done a wonderful job in preparing the fields.

Referees from the NZ academy and Central Football stable will offer three-point control in most games.