Soccer: Brave new world for young North Force

Toll Stadium is set to be called home for more than the Taniwha rugby team this year.

North Force secretary Laurence Berry said the region's football team is proud to be making to the move to Toll as part of a restructuring programme.

"In the past football has been consigned to lesser grounds, supported by the football faithful but lacking the support of our wider public. This move to Toll Stadium will provide an opportunity for the people of Northland to come along and support their young team.

"And young they are," Berry added. "This year the average age of [players in] the North Force squad is 20 years. However, we are building from the ground up and, with the support of the Northern Football Federation's Talent Centre programme, we are constantly bringing the best young talent through the grades to represent their region."

Berry said that approaching each training and game with a determination to win is a major objective.

He said this objective goes hand-in-hand with the on-going development and growth of our players and coaches, hopefully increasing the professionalism demanded of Northland's representative team.

The move to Toll Stadium was also applauded by Whangarei District Council's Venues and Events Manager John Lynch.

"We want Toll Stadium to be the home ground for all of our Northland premier sports teams including football, rugby and league," Lynch said.

"It is vital we play our part in supporting our football community and having North Force here allows the supporters to view the home games on a top-quality pitch from the comfort of the stands and enjoy the facilities we have to offer."

"North Force's move once again emphasises that Toll Stadium is truly a multi-purpose venue that the whole community can benefit from."

The first North Force hosted game at Toll Stadium was last Saturday when North Force took on the Glenfield Rovers AFC Firsts. This Sunday will see North Force take on Metro FC Firsts at 2.45pm, with the reserves kicking off at 12.30pm.