Wainui Sports Club Pre-Academy football teams a platform to build on

Members of the Wainui boys’ football squad taking part in FTC Pre-Academy game days are, back (from left): Brodi Cox, Kileau Miura, Liukou Miura, Jackson Lynch, Thomas Waide, Sebastian Botima, Bronson O’Neill and Billy Destounis. Front: Hami Pardoe, Oscar Allen, Eli Haenga, Finnian Stewart, Morgan Scott, Jasper Shand and Tyler Lynch.

Wainui Sports Club has two FTC Pre-Academy football teams training to specially adapted programmes and competing against teams from other areas.

KiwiSpan Wainui Girls’ coach Simon Blaker has a 20-strong squad and BM Decorating Wainui Boys’ coach Daniel Waide has a squad of 18.

Head coach Blake Mulrooney designs the training programme, adapting it to suit the participants. Larisa Allan and Maria Waide also contribute to the coaching effort.

These are Wainui Sports Club’s first FTC Pre-Academy teams, and club members hope they will be a platform on which to build for next year.

The FTC (Federation Talent Centre) Pre-Academy is a development programme aimed at male and female players aged 9 to 12. It looks to develop their game technically and tactically.

Players have the opportunity to play teams from other regions across the Central Federation over three game days.

Members of the Wainui girls’ football squad taking part in FTC Pre-Academy game days are, back (from left): Jess Colebourne (manager) and Simon Blaker (coach). Middle: Isla Salmond, Sylvie Whitworth, Nevaeh O’Neill, Zara Green, Faith Evans, Sophie Searle, Nell Alder, Indy-Rose Blaker-Kirkpatrick, Sanya Lawler and Huia Ehau. Front: Gabrielle Kirkpatrick, Summer Evans, Indy Williams, Margot Wilson, Charlize Evans, Hannah Hudson, Maisie Findlay, Claire Sutherland and Tovia Lawler.

The pre-academy is regarded as an introduction for players looking to move into the FTC programme in the future.

The first game day – in Gisborne on August 18 – comprised games between Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne teams.

The second game day – in Hawke’s Bay on August 25 – drew teams from Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki.

In Hawke’s Bay, the Wainui boys’ team, sponsored by Mulrooney, beat Thistle Highlanders 12-0 and Whanganui Red 5-0, and drew 1-1 with Hawke’s Bay E.

Jasper Shand delivered some great crosses and created lots of opportunities, while Waiariki Ehau was solid in defence.

The Wainui girls’ squad, whose kit was sponsored by KiwiSpan Gisborne, all played their hearts out against strong opposition, gained lots of experience and left the field smiling, coach Blaker said.

They lost 1-0 to Manawatū Magic and 4-0 to Hawke’s Bay B, and drew 0-0 with Manawatū Monarchs.

The next game day is in Palmerston North on Sunday when teams from Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki will take part.