Shackles off as upgrade lands benefits

KEY PLAYER:Hamish Watson is expected to be in Wairarapa United colours again. PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa United are determined to make every post a winner in footballing circles now they have a permanent home.

News that work is about to start on the installation of an artificial turf, complete with lights, on the No 1 ground at Masterton's Memorial Park means all the trials and tribulations which beset them for several seasons as they strove to find a facility suitable to fit the requirements of their Central League side are now behind them.

Club officials have made no secret of their excitement at what lies ahead.

The new turf will cater for rugby and football with Wairarapa United planning to have their Central League side playing their home games on Friday nights and their men's youth side and women's teams on Sunday afternoons.

President Phil Keinzley said the move to Friday nights for Central League games would have huge benefits, including allowing those in the football community who were involved in Saturday games the opportunity to attend, and the same with participants in other codes such as rugby, hockey and netball.

"It gives us the chance to showcase our premier side to the biggest possible audience," Keinzley said, adding while there would be a gate charge of, say, $5 for adults, children would be allowed in free. "We want to make it a family occasion, we certainly don't want to price ourselves off the market."

Keinzley is also keen to introduce an innovation he first saw while watching Arsenal play Blackpool in England a few years back. He was hugely impressed at how many people patronised a restaurant/cafe which was open a couple of hours before kick-off time and offered a buffet-type meal. Videos were shown of previous games played by the home team and the coach of that side came in and announced his starting XI to the audience, as well as giving them some idea of how he wanted them to play.

"Memorial Park gives us the opportunity to try something like that and we're certainly keen to explore the possibility of that happening," he said. "Again, it's something which would help draw more people along to the games, and enhance the whole experience they have."

Providing entertainment at the halftime breaks is another part of the planning process, and Keinzley says other sports or community groups could be involved there. "You could have anything from gymnastics to brass bands."

Nobody is more aware than Keinzley, however, that nothing will attract people to the Central League games more than a successful side. Wairarapa United have gone mighty close to winning the league title in recent seasons but have yet to claim the major honours.

Last year's team are expected to be available again and several leading players from all over New Zealand have indicated their keenness to join.

Just who will coach Wairarapa United's Central League side next season is still to be revealed because of circumstances beyond the club's control. Keinzley said players and fans would be "very excited" when the appointment is announced.

"It is a big coup for us," he said.