New league offers another chance

The recent re-organisation of the football leagues in the upper North Island has given FC Whangarei the opportunity to once more represent Northland in the regional federation's top division.
The club has entered a senior men's side in United Soccer 1's new "Champions League" - a new name for the league - which will replace the now defunct US1 Premier Division as the top regional league, after the federation's elite clubs have once again been given the green light to play in the Northern League competition.
What that means for FC Whangarei is they will play such teams as Oratia, Te Atatu and Warkworth on a weekly basis.
The new league is a big step up from the Northland Premier competition, which the club has been playing in for the last few seasons.
"FC has played in this league before ... but after US1 restructured, some of the elite clubs went up to the Northern League and that left us a vacancy to step up and that means we'll play against some of the teams North Force played against last year," club president Carl Compaan said.
He said the club had approached other Northland clubs - including North Force - and none of them objected to their playing in the regional league.
"We're still affiliated with North Force and we encourage our players to go and play for them - but some of our players would rather make less of a commitment to travel every week but still play at a higher level," he said.
He said the level would be a good stepping stone for some players between the Northland Premier League and playing for North Force in the Northern League.
Adam Sharp will fill the role of player-coach for the senior side, alongside Ray Mack who will be the head coach and make the calls from the sideline on match days.
Ever since the club began as an amalgamation of the two city sides Whangarei City and Rovers, it has been one of the bigger clubs in the northern region, boasting top facilities and grounds as well as a large player base and a family atmosphere.
The importance of women's football to the club has increased in recent years and they are hopeful of entering three senior women's teams in this year's Northland senior competition.
The club's 2010 Junior rally day is  tomorrow at Morningside Park between 9am and 1pm and will include games and spot prizes.

 The senior Club Day will be held on Saturday, March 20.