Napier City Rovers new recruit Adam Hewson on work-life balance and his friendship with Jonny McNamara. Video / Neil Reid
Footballer Adam Hewson is making the most of his shift north to Napier. He spoke to Neil Reid.
Juggling work and top-level domestic football commitments – the latter while being classified as an amateur player – is all part of a day’s work for Adam Hewson.
A new recruit for Napier City Rovers for the 2024 season, the 25-year-old is like the majority of his teammates in holding down a fulltime job five days a week, then training three times a week during the increasingly chilly autumn nights under Park Island’s floodlights.
Hewson and his teammates have to play as amateurs under New Zealand Football’s regulations for the Northern, Central and Southern Leagues; the trio of regional leagues that are battling it out for spots in the 10-strong National League.
For the clubs that abide by the rules, it means players can only receive a maximum $150-a-game payment.
Napier City Rovers striker Oscar Faulds walks off Bluewater Stadium after his side's 2-1 win over Petone, a match he scored his 12th goal of the season in. Photo / Neil Reid
A minute later, substitute Lack – who has impressed all season either in the starting XI or off the bench – struck to secure his side a sixth win on the trot.
Earlier in the first half, Napier City Rovers goalkeeper William Tonning pulled off a brilliant penalty save; his second of the season and one of several crucial saves in a man-of-the-match performance.
Forward Jonny McNamara also put in another industrious performance, continuing his strong start to the 2024 Central League.
Napier City Rovers teammates Adam Hewson (centre) and Jonny McNamara (right) have struck up an impressive bond on and off the pitch. Photo / Neil Reid
McNamara is a player who combines well with Hewson both on and off the football pitch.
“I work at Reece Plumbing, I sell plumbing supplies,” Hewson said.
“And he’s a plumber, so I sell him plumbing supplies. Every morning he comes in, gets his coffee, gets his plumbing supplies and then goes for the day. I probably see him three or four times a day.”
The pair’s banter at training is comically brutal.
Jonny McNamara is hugged by teammate Adam Hewson after scoring during Napier City Rovers' 3-0 win over Stop Out on April 14. Photo / Neil Reid
Hewson said it was a friendship he enjoyed, with the pair’s infectious personalities coming together “for the good” of the duo and also those around them.
Hewson signed on with Napier City Rovers after several seasons with Dunedin side Green Island, including impressing in the Southern League.
He switched to Napier City Rovers for a change of scenery, having enjoyed previous trips to Napier to play at Bluewater Stadium.
He was also able to secure a job transfer with Reece Plumbing.
Napier City Rovers players Stephen Hoyle (from left), Fergus Neil and Adam Hewson put in the hard yards during a training session in the lead-up to the 2024 Central League. Photo / Neil Reid
But he had welcomed the increased level of competition across the Central League – as opposed to the Southern League, which is dominated by two Christchurch clubs.
“Dunedin doesn’t have a lot of a footballing mindset compared to what Christchurch does,” he said.
“Christchurch has got a lot more people, a lot more talent, and you can kind of see that with the top two teams in the Southern League... [in Dunedin] getting numbers to training was always difficult, sometimes you would only have five or six [players].”
It wasn’t just the football he was enjoying since his move north.
Left wing Adam Hewson battles for possession during Napier City Rovers' opening 3-0 Central League loss to national champions Wellington Olympic. Photo / Neil Reid
He was a big fan of Hawke’s Bay weather and had also found several good fishing spots.
Adam Hewson has been warmly welcomed by Napier City Rovers supporters after his move north from Dunedin. Photo / Neil Reid
“As much as you’re trying to create an environment with your mates, at the end of the day, they’re people you’re competing for spots with... that’s probably [what] the hardest part is,” Hewson said.
“Whether or not it’s your mate, he’s also keeping you out of the team.”
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.
