Napier City Rovers hit the ground running in their first training session of 2024.
Video / Neil Reid
New Zealand’s only provincial-based club to challenge for national football league honours over the past two seasons has returned to the footy pitch for 2024. Neil Reid checks in with Napier City Rovers
Napier City Rovers have returned to the pitch ahead of football’s 2024 Central League.
And coach Bill Robertson says the focus will very much be around cementing a “winning mentality” - as well as working on tactics and sharpening fitness – over the next eight weeks.
Tuesday marked their return to the training pitch, a session in sweltering heat at Park Island which included seven of Robertson’s 11 recruits for the season.
Napier City Rovers assistant coach Shane McKenzie (left), and head coach Bill Robertson at the first training of the year. Photo / Neil Reid
As well as moulding the new-look squad in, the Central League and Chatham Cup-winning coach said laying the foundations for a winning and healthy culture was also paramount over the next eight weeks.
“The biggest thing taking into the season is a winning mentality,” Robertson said.
“Ultimately, winning is what we’re here to do. We’re in the business of winning games of football.
“And we expect certain things of Napier City Rovers players; high standards and professionalism. We want good people here.
“That’s ultimately what we’ve done in our recruitment as well. We’ve made sure we’ve brought in good people who are also good players.”
The playing roster would have a key part to play in setting out what was expected of Napier City Rovers on and off the field in 2024.
Players and off-field staff listen to a presentation from coach Bill Robertson during the first day of 2024 pre-season training. Photo / Neil Reid
The side launch their Central League campaign with a March 31 clash against deserved National League champions Wellington Olympic at Bluewater Stadium.
“We want the players to probably lead the culture and drive the culture,” Robertson said.
“We’ll do some goal setting during preseason, and again, we want the players to set their own goals and buy into that.”
The majority of the 2023 Central and National League squad is back for Napier City Rovers in 2024.
Defender Fergus Neil (facing) during a drill in his side’s first training of 2024. Photo / Neil Reid
Robertson will also be without the services of outstanding attacking weapon Christian Leopard who suffered a severe knee injury in the National League.
The former New Zealand Under-20 cricket international has undergone a knee reconstruction, with the injury forcing him out of playing for Central Districts in the recent domestic Twenty20 competition, as well as the 2024 football season.
Jonny McNamara prepares to run out for his side’s first training session. Photo / Neil Reid
Doe has been headhunted by Christchurch United’s new coach, Ryan Edwards. The club is owned by Russian multi-millionaire Slava Meyn.
Corfe – a former Manchester City academy member – proved to be a goal-scoring sensation and was well-liked by fans last year at Napier City Rovers but has decided to try and progress his career across the Tasman.
The number of new signings will increase the depth Robertson can call upon throughout the season compared to last season.
The club's Danish goalkeeper William Tonning goes through his paces. Photo / Neil Reid
Depth was sorely tested in the middle to latter stages of Rovers’ 2023 National League campaign.
Those recruits include former Napier City Rover Stephen Hoyle – a two-time Central League winner with the club in 2012 and 2015 – who has returned as both a player and an assistant to Robertson.
Siblings and rival captains Jim Hoyle (left), and Stephen Hoyle were on opposite teams when Napier City Rovers played Eastern Suburbs last year. In 2024 they will be on the same side at Napier City RoversPhoto / Neil Reid
Napier City Rovers standouts Jonny McNamara, left, and Liam Schofield take a breather on the first day of 2024 pre-season training at Park Island. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid
“We were thinking about how we can be efficient and give ourselves the best head start on the following year.
“The planning has been ongoing throughout [the off-season], I’ve had a little bit of a break but not much of one, and we’re looking forward to getting the season going.
“A few players have moved on. And we’ll see a few new faces come to the club as well.
“It’s been a busy period sorting all that out. I’m ensuring the players that are coming are set up with employment or anything else they need after relocating here.”
We have loved having you wear the blue (green) of NCR. We wish you all the best in your next chapter Oscar, but know you are always part of the rovers family. 🧤 💙 https://t.co/s7PBgG9KT6
— ⚽️ Thirsty Whale 🐳 Napier City Rovers (@NCR_fc) January 9, 2024
The focus is very clear even in the opening week of an eight-week pre-season campaign; secure qualification for the National League for a third successive season.
Four Central League teams will qualify for the National League later this year. The Wellington Phoenix Reserves are guaranteed a spot as part of their participation deal; the other places go to the league’s three-highest finishers.
“I’m proud of the players last year, qualifying for National League is not an easy task. We were the only regional club to once again qualify,” Robertson said.
Gear bags set to be handed out to Napier City Rovers players on the first day of their pre-season. Photo / Neil Reid
“We face challenges, but we use that as fuel and motivation. We represented the Hawke’s Bay region with National League football again.
“The challenge for us now moving forward is to continue to do that consistently as we’ve done the last two years. We want to see if can once get into the National League, maybe pick up a few more points and, really start to challenge for some major honours.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
