A guide to premier women's football (part two)

Tikipunga's Amy Campbell fires a ball into the box in this season's round-one game against Madhatters

Onerahi Heritage Homes

Coach: Grant Short

2018 season finish: 1st

2019 results:
R1: Won 7-2 vs Bream Bay United
R2: Won 5-0 vs Kaitaia United

In his fifth year coaching the premier women's side, Grant Short's relief would have been abundant after winning the title last year, something no Onerahi women's team had done in 19 years.

Looking ahead to this season, Short was happy with a squad which included a few new players and felt they could get the job done.

"We are pretty confident again because we kept the core of last season, it's just consistency of numbers which is so important," he said.

Leading figure: Emily Boom (Midfielder)

The goal-scoring midfielder has a fitting last name for the way she has started the 2019 season as she looks in impeccable touch in the early games. Short said making her captain in just her second year at the club would pay off.

"[Boom] is a real driving force in the team so it'll be good to see how she manages the expectations she puts on herself and the team."

Emerging Talent: Freya Doherty (Defender)

A product of Whangārei Girls' High School, Doherty will be a physical presence across the backline, according to Short.

"[Doherty] is not shy of a tackle, she's more than willing to throw herself into a challenge, but she's also got a really good attitude as well," he said.

Kerikeri Fairview

Coach: Russell McCabe

2018 season finish: 6th

2019 results:
R1: Won 7-1 vs Central Brown
R2: Won 3-0 vs Madhatters Stonehaven

Over a number of years, Kerikeri was absent in the premier competition, but now with a second season under way with two wins from two games, coach Russell McCabe is optimistic for the future.

"I think there was a solid core of players from last year who have made the foundations with some new players which has enabled the team to shuffle around a bit."

Leading figure: Phoebe West (Defender)

West is one of many Kerikeri players who acts as a leader and McCabe was glad to have the loyal defender back for 2019.

"[West] just reads the game really well, she's very quick and efficient in her tackle which made our backline very good last year," he said.

Emerging talent: Holly Inwood (Midfielder)

Fresh out of Kerikeri High School, Inwood is new to the team this year, but will be looking to leave some lasting impressions.

"[Inwood's] just got good ball control, great holding capacity and she's fitting in well, she's a really consistent and dedicated footballer," McCabe said.

Tikipunga AFC

Coach: Kezia Holmes

2018 season finish: 10th

2019 results:
R1: Lost 2-3 vs Madhatters Stonehaven
R2: Lost 0-2 vs Bream Bay United

A less than optimal season in 2018 for Tikipunga has not deterred this young squad from coming back strong in 2019. Coach Kezia Holmes said if the team focused on their execution in the final third, their luck would change.

"For us, 2018 was a developing season and we played good possession-based football by the end of the season, so hopefully the results will come with it this season."

Leading figure: Kat O'Donnell (Midfielder)

Tikipunga welcomed O'Donnell back into the team last year after a 10-year absence and Holmes said the captain's inclusion had been a huge boost.

"[O'Donnell] is one of our strongest players, you notice it when she's not there, she controls the game so well and gets the girls working well around her."

Emerging talent: Renee Hayes (Midfielder)

A former Kamo High School student, Hayes was new to the side this year and Holmes was optimistic the midfielder would make her way on to the score sheet.

"[Hayes] just adds another spark to our attacking play, she's a very fit, young player, she learns really quickly and she's eager to get better," Holmes said.

Kamo

Coach: Russell Baddeley

2018 season finish: 3rd

2019 results:
R1: Won 5-0 vs Bay Cosmos
R2: Drew 1-1 vs Central Brown

A heavyweight of the women's game in Northland, Kamo will be aiming for redemption after they saw Onerahi take the 2018 crown. Coach Russell Baddeley said the team's campaign for the title would be helped by a number of young players who have joined the side.

"This year I think we are getting stronger and from what I've seen so far, there are five or six teams with not much between them, it's pretty even."

Leading figure: Cassandra Wood (Midfielder)

A strong and confident leader, Wood was a valuable asset to the team's captain, according to Baddeley.

"[Wood] has got a lot of experience but also she's very good at bringing the ball down and playing football, which is good for youngsters to learn from."

Emerging talent: Keisha Parker (midfielder)

The 14-year-old talented midfielder is playing in her second season with the premier side and Baddeley felt Parker could go a long way in football.

"[Parker] has got real talent, a great attitude, great ball skills, she's a really intelligent little player who is going to be something special I think," he said.

Kaitaia United

Coach: Shane McDonald

2018 season finish: 5th

2019 results:
R1: BYE
R2: Lost 5-0 vs Onerahi Heritage Homes

After taking over as coach late last year, Shane McDonald was hopeful for Kaitaia's future in 2019's season. He said a rise in numbers from 2018 would go some way in pushing them into the top four.

"We've got a really good mix of younger girls and older ladies and with their experience, it should set a good platform," McDonald said.

Leading figure: Leela Brown (Defender)

A good reader of the game and a clear communicator, Brown was growing fast in her role as a leader. McDonald said the Year 12 Kaitaia College student was an impressive prospect for the future.

"[Brown] was a striker three years ago and now she's a defender after we switched the forwards with the backs one day and she was that good we just can't take her out of there."

Emerging talent: Keelay McDonald (Midfielder)

Another Year 12 Kaitaia College student, McDonald was one of the many young players to come through the Kaitaia group who the coach felt had potential.

"Keelay is very strong on the ball, she's another young player who reads the game very well and she's got a very powerful boot," he said.