Clubs unite in Force

BRIGHT FUTURE:Players like Fernanda Toscani, seen here playing for North Force Women last season, will benefit from the vast changes in the North Force pipeline.PHOTO/ MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

FOR THE first time in more than 15 years Northland senior football clubs are poised to unite under the North Force banner.

After 18 months of planning the current North Force owners - the Kamo and Tikipunga football clubs - have finalised plans to share the ownership and governance of Northland regional football equally between local senior clubs.

"It's a group of people with big visions and big ideas able to overcome their historical differences," North Force AFC club captain, Laurence Berry said of the merger.

"This initiative will bring real changes to the governance and management of football in the North. We want this elite entity to have full inclusion for all."

Major players in the club football scene such as Bream Bay, Central Brown, FC Whangarei, Kamo, Kerikeri, Onerahi and Tikipunga have agreed to jointly own and govern the Northland regional football entity known as North Force AFC at this point, and it is hoped Madhatters will join the co-operative later in the season.

"The relationship between the clubs hasn't always been easy," Berry said.

"There's always been a real disconnect between top players and club players.

"[But] the way they've opened up to the idea is great. By having all directly involved as North Force we hope they'll take a bit more pride."

One development which is hoped will come into fruition through the move is that player retention will improve across the clubs.

"We really do understand most talented players will have to move out of the region to progress their football or go to university," Berry said.

"We have been losing them and the trouble is when we lose them they stay lost.

"The idea of this is that [now] youth players right through to senior players will have an opportunity to grow."

Under the envisioned North Force banner, another bonus will be the inclusion of a permanent Northern Football Federation representative on the board.

"It's an interim board, it hasn't been ratified yet, but the plan is to have an NFF representative," Northern Football Federation development officer, Dave Alabaster confirmed.

"It's an interim step, but yeah it's a good move.

"It's exciting. This is a huge move for football in Northland," he added.

While Berry mentioned the process of completing the legal documentation was still occurring, as well as seeking a principal naming rights sponsor, he added that the resolve and commitment of the clubs to move forward is significant.

An AGM will take place on February 10, where it is expected that the "nuts and bolts" of the joint ownership will be discussed.

Berry said advice and involvement from the wider community is welcome. He can be reached on: 021 062 2696.