13th Panthers - AFF Youth 13th Grade Girls Division 2
Coaches: Andrew Dempster & Martin Strange Manager: Judith Rogers
Team Members: Alanis Strange, Amelia Caddy, Isabella Murray, Jamiee Maharaj, Joshayrae Kahui, Katie Bertling, Kelsey Forbes, Kenzie Dempster, Olivia Yuksel, Paije Lusby, Rachael Barron, Sophia Campbell, Zophie Baldwin
Awards: Player of the Year Zophie Baldwin Sportsperson of the Year Rachael Barron Most Improved Player Jamiee Maharaj
Winner of the Youth Sportsperson Trophy – Martin Strange
Winner of the Youth Goal Keeper Trophy – Kelsey Forbes
Team Report
This season, an influx of new players meant we had the necessary talent & numbers to split the Firestars to form the 12th Blaze and 13th Panthers girls teams. Several of the new Panthers followed their coach Andrew from their previous club, who joined with Firestars coach Martin so the team had two coaches who were able to mesh the players into a cohesive unit. It took the best part of the Grading round to achieve this but by the Competition round, the girls were working together as team, playing to each other’s strengths. They are a versatile bunch, with all able to play in at least 2 positions around the field. Having two coaches meld their expertise and differing approaches worked well for the Panthers - they definitely appreciated the introduction of half-time lollies, but weren’t so keen on the introduction of shuttles! Several of the team also attended Coerver training and the improvement this brought was evident, so our thanks to Coach Sam, and to the Club for arranging it and subsidising costs.
In the Competition round, we were undefeated apart from one unexpected loss, which reminded us of the need to be focused & prepared every game as a win is never guaranteed. Despite this, it was a successful round in which we finished 1st. It has been a great season and we look forward to reuniting next year, promoted into Division 1.
It was very pleasing to see how well the girls came together as a united team, the camaraderie and laughter was infectious. We had a fantastic troupe of supporters on the side-line of every game, cheering the Panthers on, and some who went the extra mile by refereeing & running the line (Martin, Brett, Gordon & Hakan). Our sincere thanks to our efficient & organised manager Judith, who kept us updated & informed, and of course to our coaches Martin & Andrew for leading us so successfully through the season.
Angela Yuksel (Team Parent)
POS G13th Grade - Div 1 Town Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Papakura City FC G13/1 Piranhas 7 6 1 0 35 4 31 19 2 Beachlands Maraetai AFC G13/1 Magic 6 5 1 0 16 5 11 16 3 Three Kings Utd G13/1 Perry 7 4 1 2 15 9 6 13 4 Western Springs G13/1 Firebirds 7 4 1 2 9 8 1 13 5 Drury Utd G13/2 Panthers 7 2 1 4 6 13 -7 7 6 Central Utd 13/2 Starlings 6 1 1 4 6 18 -12 4 7 Papatoetoe United FC G13/2 Southern Stars 7 0 2 5 7 20 -13 2 8 Fencibles G13/2 Williamson 7 0 2 5 3 20 -17 2
POS G13th Grade - Div 2 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Drury Utd G13/2 Panthers 7 5 1 1 11 1 10 16 2 Onehunga Sports G13/2 Diamonds 7 4 2 1 8 3 5 14 3 Eastern Suburbs AFC G13/2 Yellow 7 3 3 1 9 4 5 12 4 Ellerslie AFC Girls G13/2 Black 7 3 2 2 14 6 8 11 5 Three Kings Utd G13/2 Green 7 3 0 4 10 14 -4 9 6 Papatoetoe Utd FC G13/2 Southern Stars 7 2 1 4 8 12 -4 7 7 Central Utd 13/2 Starlings 7 2 0 5 10 19 -9 6
8 Fencibles G13/2 Williamson 7 1 1 5 3 14 -11 4
13th Missiles - AFF Youth 13th Grade Division 4
Coach: David Copeland Manager: Carolyn Cossey
Team Members: Aaryan Gupta, Calvin Copeland, Connor de Baugh, Deepak Sharma, Dylan Hedley, Hamza Faisal, Hayden Cox, Hugh Williams, Jack Styles, Joshua McCraith, Kahurangi Woollen, Logan Pio, Luis Coimbra Pinto, Tyler Mercer, Zicco Gallichan
Awards: Player of the Year Calvin Copeland Sportsperson of the Year Tyler Mercer Most Improved Player Deepak Sharma
Team Report
Another season. Another team. 13th Missiles.
We certainly gave it our all but seemed to always come up short. Mid-season we got hit with a lot of bugs and team members were going down left, right and centre. Those still capable played on. We only had to forfeit one game and that was because our committed team player ended up with a stomach bug. His mother had said he hadn’t had breakfast that morning. Half way through the game we knew why!
We had a couple of players join us from rugby and rugby league - brilliant players but always charging up the middle; they ended up being our best goal scorers and even tried their hand at goalie. We also had a few playing up a couple of grades who definitely noticed the difference at this level; they certainly gave it their all.
All in all, a brilliant team to work with, unfortunately we didn’t have the training time needed with a lot of field closures, but it was nice to see fitness improve . It was a big jump going from small fields and goals to adult size. They did well. Here’s hoping they all come back again next year.
David Copeland (Coach)
POS 13th Grade - Div 3 South Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Bucklands Beach AFC 13/3A Navy 7 6 1 0 49 4 45 19 2 Tuakau Soccer Club 13/3B 7 5 0 2 27 18 9 15 3 Manurewa AFC 13/3B Fusion 7 4 1 2 28 16 12 13 4 Bucklands Beach AFC 13/3B Royal 7 4 1 2 14 9 5 13 5 Papakura City FC 13/4 Warriors 7 2 2 3 19 21 -2 8 6 Drury Utd 13/4 Missiles 7 2 0 5 20 27 -7 6 7 Otahuhu Utd AFC 13/4 7 1 1 5 21 27 -6 4 8 Pukekohe AFC 13/4 Red 7 1 0 6 5 61 -56 3
POS 13th Grade - Div 4 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Three Kings Utd 13/4 Dass 8 6 0 2 25 9 16 18 2 Ellerslie AFC 13/4 Yellow 8 6 0 2 18 13 5 18 3 Western Springs 13/4 Ajax 8 5 0 3 24 18 6 15 4 Otahuhu Utd AFC 13/4 8 4 2 2 29 17 12 14 5 Central Utd 13/4 (SPC) Boyle 8 4 1 3 16 12 4 13 6 Papatoetoe United FC 13/4 Cowboys 8 3 2 3 16 9 7 11 7 Papakura City FC 13/4 Warriors 8 3 0 5 19 21 -2 9 8 Drury Utd 13/4 Missiles 8 1 1 6 7 22 -15 4 9 Pukekohe AFC 13/4 Red 8 1 0 7 6 39 -33 3
13th SAE - AFF Youth 13th Grade Division 1
Coach & Manager: Graeme Mc Rae
Team Members: Benjamin Clark, Benjamin Pivott, Bor-Shiuan Ethan Foo, David Grey, Elijah Cathcart, Jaymis Grubjesic, Keannan Van Zyl, Liam Higgins, Mackenzie Biggs, Oliver Jarvis, Renee Ralphs, Ryan Gaskill, Ryan Wood, Saint Lucia Lolohea
Awards: Player of the Year Saint Lucia Lolohea Coach’s Player of the Year Renee Ralphs Most Improved Player Oliver Jarvis
Winners of the Youth Team of the Year Shield
POS 13th Grade - Metro Group 3 Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Greenhithe AFC 13M 8 8 0 0 36 3 33 24 2 Bay Olympic 13M Lions 8 6 1 1 21 3 18 19 3 Western Springs 13M Bullets 8 6 1 1 21 3 18 19 4 Hibiscus Coast 13M 8 3 2 3 12 12 0 11 5 Birkenhead Utd 13C 8 3 2 3 12 21 -9 11 6 Bucklands Beach AFC 13C Yellow 8 3 1 4 13 12 1 10 7 Western Springs 13C Vipers 8 1 2 5 11 27 -16 5 8 Oratia Utd 13C 8 1 0 7 4 26 -22 3 9 Drury Utd 13/1 SAE 8 0 1 7 4 27 -23 1
POS 13th Grade - Div 1 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Drury Utd 13/1 SAE 9 8 1 0 34 4 30 25 2 Fencibles 13/1 Nicol 9 8 0 1 22 6 16 24 3 Manurewa AFC 13/1 Pumas 9 7 0 2 32 11 21 21 4 Bucklands Beach AFC 13/1 Blue 9 4 0 5 15 14 1 12 5 Western Springs 13/1 Regulators 9 3 2 4 8 13 -5 11 6 Three Kings Utd 13/1 Johnson 9 3 1 5 14 18 -4 10 7 Papatoetoe United FC 13/1 Jaguars 9 3 0 6 12 21 -9 9 8 Fencibles 13/1 Ritesh 9 3 0 6 9 29 -20 9 9 Eastern Suburbs AFC 13/1 Yellow 9 2 2 5 9 20 -11 8 10 Bucklands Beach AFC 13/1 White 9 0 2 7 4 23 -19 2
14th SAE - AFF Youth 14th Grade Conference Division
Coach & Manager: Mark Atkinson
Team Members: Bradley Morrison, Cooper Hart, Corey Spankie, Daniel Atkinson, Dylan James, Jackson Mills, Joshua August, Kevin Kedde, La’auli Blakelock, Matthew Saxon, McKenzie Lorraine, Rafe Couillault, Sam Wallen, Tara Murphy
Awards: Player of the Year Kevin Kedde Sportsperson of the Year Matt Saxon Most Improved Player Bradley Morrison
Team Report
The Drury SAE 14's are a resilient group of players. Whether win, lose or draw, they understand that they are in the developmental phase of their football journey and are keen to participate in that process.
Although the players have played to win the competition matches, they have never sacrificed their playing style, which has been admired by many.
The players parents are a big influence on their children and have supported their child’s desires to be the best version of themselves.
As life presents us with many highs and lows, our football season this year has been a great primer for such challenges ahead.
Mark Atkinson (Coach)
POS 14th Grade - Conference Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Forrest Hill Milford 14C Athletico 20 15 1 4 61 19 42 46 2 Bucklands Beach AFC 14C 20 10 4 6 44 35 9 34 3 Ellerslie AFC Boys 14/C Red 20 10 3 7 50 43 7 33 4 North Shore Utd 14C 20 10 3 7 49 46 3 33 5 Western Springs 14C Sonics 20 10 0 10 45 32 13 30 6 Greenhithe AFC 14C 20 9 2 9 61 55 6 29 7 Waitakere City 14C 20 8 1 11 43 51 -8 25 8 East Coast Bays 14C Development 20 6 5 9 46 61 -15 23 9 Eastern Suburbs AFC 14/C White 11 7 1 3 22 16 6 22 10 Drury Utd 14C SAE 20 5 3 12 35 60 -25 18 11 Western Springs 14C Espanyol 20 4 2 14 19 51 -32 14
12 Oratia Utd 14C 11 4 1 6 16 22 -6 13
14th Torpedoes - AFF Youth 13th Grade Division 2
Coaches: Aaron Van Uden & David Pivott Manager: Kristin McCraith
Team Members: Amitesh Deo, Caden Bari, Caleb Anderson, Caleb Nair, Ethan D’cunha, Ethan Copeland, Ethan Frewin, Evan Gadd, Matthew Brady, Michael Land, Michael Winstanley, Osian Croft, Pulkit Bhakoo, Rhodes Sikireta, Xavier Rees
Awards: Player of the Year Ethan Copeland Sportsperson of the Year Rhodes Sikireta Most Improved Player Michael Winstanley
POS 14th Grade - Div 2 Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Bucklands Beach AFC 14/2 Blue 4 3 0 1 7 6 1 9 2 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC 14/2 Jedis 3 2 1 0 15 1 14 7 3 SAR 14/2 TIGERS 3 2 1 0 11 3 8 7 4 Waiuku AFC 14/2 Blue 4 1 1 2 10 8 2 4 5 Fencibles 14/2 Smith 3 1 1 1 4 6 -2 4 6 Bay Olympic 14/2 Buggatis 3 0 3 0 4 4 0 3 7 Drury Utd 14/2 Torpedoes 3 1 0 2 6 7 -1 3 8 Central Utd 14/2 Sonics 3 1 0 2 5 7 -2 3
9 Western Springs 14/2 Corinthians 4 0 1 3 3 23 -20 1
POS 14th Grade - Div 2 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC 14/2 Jedis 8 7 1 0 43 6 37 22 2 SAR 14/2 TIGERS 8 4 3 1 26 16 10 15 3 Bucklands Beach AFC 14/2 Blue 8 4 2 2 18 11 7 14 4 Fencibles 14/2 Smith 8 3 3 2 18 16 2 12 5 Central Utd 14/2 Sonics 8 3 1 4 20 16 4 10 6 Drury Utd 14/2 Torpedoes 8 3 1 4 22 22 0 10 7 Bay Olympic 14/2 Buggatis 8 2 4 2 10 22 -12 10 8 Waiuku AFC 14/2 Blue 8 1 2 5 17 23 -6 5 9 Western Springs 14/2 Corinthians 8 0 1 7 8 50 -42 1
15th Phoenix - AFF Youth 15th Grade Division 1
Coach: Lloyd Peterson Ass. Coach: Jaspreet Gill Manager: Tessa Curac
Team Members: Adin Pio, Akash Nadan, Cameron Airey, Callum Mead, Cristian Maxim, Deen Peterson, Ethan Young, Francisco Gatica Garces, James Curac, Kaenan Gray, Marshall Robertson, Metae Scharnick, Noah Parker, Painand Juanmiry, Shawn Coughey
Awards: Player of the Year Deen Petersen Sportsperson of the Year James Curac Most Improved Player Akash Nadan
POS 15th Grade - Div 1 Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Drury Utd 15/1 Phoenix 8 7 1 0 33 10 23 22 2 Bay Olympic 15/1 Cannons 8 5 2 1 18 12 6 17 3 Fencibles 15/1 8 5 1 2 29 11 18 16 4 Papatoetoe AFC 15/1 Lightning 8 3 3 2 23 16 7 12 5 Three Kings Utd 15/1 Red 8 3 0 5 18 17 1 9 6 SAR 15/1 CHEETAHS 8 2 3 3 11 11 0 9 7 Beachlands Maraetai AFC 15/1 Coasters 8 2 2 4 8 19 -11 8 8 Bucklands Beach AFC 15/2 Blue 8 1 1 6 11 25 -14 4 9 Eastern Suburbs AFC 15/1 White 8 1 1 6 4 34 -30 4
POS 15th Grade - Div 1 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Manukau City AFC 15/1 9 8 1 0 32 4 28 25 2 Drury Utd 15/1 Phoenix 9 7 1 1 22 13 9 22 3 Fencibles 15/1 9 6 0 3 15 8 7 18 4 SAR 15/1 CHEETAHS 9 5 1 3 23 10 13 16 5 Three Kings Utd 15/1 Red 9 3 2 4 10 12 -2 11 6 Papatoetoe AFC 15/1 Lightning 9 3 2 4 9 13 -4 11 7 Bay Olympic 15/1 Cannons 9 2 3 4 15 15 0 9 8 Papatoetoe United FC 15/1 9 2 3 4 15 19 -4 9 9 Beachlands Maraetai AFC 15/1 Coasters 9 1 2 6 6 26 -20 5 10 Western Springs 15/1 Rangers 9 0 1 8 3 30 -27 1
16th Wolverines - AFF Youth 16th Grade Girls Division 2
Coach: Paul Cullum Assistant Coach: Shane O’Reilly Manager: Natasha Bridgeman
Team Members: Ambeer Lawson, Amy Scott, Aria Hoggart, Brierley Anderson, Cailey Coles, Eilidh Groenestein, Enya Fuhlendorff, Faith Leung, Jenna Casterton, Natalya Bridgeman, Olivia Groenestein, Paige O’Reilly, Portia McGuire, Shannyne Stephens, Tiyana Abrahams
Awards: Player of the Year Eilidh Groenestein Sportsperson of the Year Tiyana Abrahams Most Improved Player Faith Leung
POS G16th Grade - Div 1 Town Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Fencibles G16/2 Red 7 5 1 1 24 14 10 16 2 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC G16/2 Phoenix 6 5 0 1 39 10 29 15 3 Papakura City FC G16/2 6 4 0 2 14 12 2 12 4 Drury Utd G16/2 Wolverines 6 3 1 2 17 10 7 10 5 Eastern Suburbs AFC G16/2 White 5 3 1 1 15 11 4 10 6 Manurewa AFC G16/2 Diamonds 5 2 0 3 8 13 -5 6 7 Ellerslie AFC Girls 16/2 White 6 1 1 4 7 18 -11 4 8 Clevedon FC G16/2 Crystals 4 1 0 3 6 18 -12 3 9 Western Springs G16/2 Lisbon Girls 7 0 0 7 9 33 -24 0
POS G16th Grade - Div 2 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Western Springs G16/1 Dragons 9 7 1 1 76 8 68 22 2 Western Springs G16/1 Pink Panthers 8 5 1 2 27 4 23 16 3 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC G16/2 Phoenix 6 5 0 1 18 11 7 15 4 Drury Utd G16/2 Wolverines 8 3 4 1 15 18 -3 13 5 Papakura City FC G16/2 9 2 5 2 19 14 5 11 6 Eastern Suburbs AFC G16/2 White 8 3 2 3 12 20 -8 11 7 Ellerslie AFC Girls 16/2 White 9 3 1 5 12 27 -15 10 8 Clevedon FC G16/2 Crystals 7 2 1 4 19 29 -10 7 9 Manurewa AFC G16/2 Diamonds 9 2 0 7 13 43 -30 6 10 Western Springs G16/2 Lisbon Girls 9 1 1 7 9 46 -37 4
17th Thunder - AFF Youth Grade 17 Division 3
Coaches: Steven McCraith & Rob Cambie Manager: Peta Cambie
Team Members: Alanu Gallichan, Benjamin McCraith, Bhavjeet Walia, Brittany Vatcheff-Bolton, Christian Cox, Croydon Cumming, Dylan Wassell, Jarrod Cambie, Katelyn Winstanley, Logan O’Reilly, Mitchell Ireland, Nathaniel Brown, Nicholas Land, Nicole Ngata, Ravitesh Deo, Rosie Wanoa, Shivam Singh, Tristan D’cunha
Awards: Player of the Year Benjamin McCraith Sportsperson of the Year Nathaniel Brown Most Improved Player Croydon Cumming
Team Report
With a sense of dread this ‘enthusiastic supporter’ vaguely agreed to take on the role of coach of a team that started the season called the Cougars. Just like that magnificent 80’s action programme The ‘A-Team’, it was (coach included) a ragtag bunch on the run from the law (laws of football that is).
With a wide range of skills, age, height, time management abilities, spacial awareness and knowledge of the rules, we stepped on to the field and into the great unknown, with little expectation and (perhaps too much) enthusiasm. With the youngest being 15 years old and oldest being (well, much) older, it was a mixed team in every sense of the word.
From memory, the first game didn’t go exactly to our loose plan – going down 10-0. It was fair to say there was room for improvement. To their absolute credit and with gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) encouragement, this group of young adults slowly became a team, feeding off of each other’s enthusiasm, encouragement and willingness to share skills, knowledge and sometimes simply kind words. Those in the team with existing skills worked with those who were lacking, players who had ‘worked it out’ helped those who were still working on it and players came to practices with game plans for the coming weekend. And in due course, the laughing became louder and longer, the losses less of a hiding and more a lesson to be taken, and the close games (and a win) meant everything.
Watching Nathaniel bounding across the pitch to snuff out yet another attack, Bhavi to somehow come out of contact with the ball with his glasses and his pride still intact, Rosie slamming a long ball up-field while giving the opposition player a death stare, Ben’s silky skills and through-ball a joy to watch (his Dad taught him that you know) and our trio of Tristan, Shivaam and Ravi who clearly live and breathe football on and off of the field bringing energy to the team.
A couple of players deserve special mention: Croydon, for changing from a quiet dormouse who was initially too worried about making a mistake for him to even become involved, to becoming an absolute rock in defence and one of the first names on the starting line-up each weekend; Mitchell similarly took a while to find his slot but became a star in mid-field; Nicole, quieter even than Croydon and uncertain in her abilities, became this coach’s go-to player when a position required fixing, and Dylan who randomly switched between starting as striker and starting as keeper when he sensed his team required it. And with the best Manager ever in Peta, who was somehow able to get us all to the game on time, every time, this team was going places – mainly from one side of Auckland to another, but places nonetheless.
As a parent, it brought immense pride that such a diverse group could go from being largely strangers to a close- knit team who will remain friends; that a group who only had a game in common are now team mates and watching some of these young people emerge from their shells and grow in confidence was extremely satisfying to this grizzled old coach. So, if the authorities don’t catch us up, and we are needed, there’s a distinct danger we’ll be back next season.
Steve McCraith (Coach)
POS 17th Grade - Div 3 Grading P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Manukau City AFC 17/2 9 7 1 1 30 10 20 22 2 Papatoetoe United FC 17/3 Outlaws 9 6 1 2 39 23 16 19 3 Lynn-Avon Utd AFC 17/3 Jets 9 6 1 2 24 10 14 19 4 Papatoetoe AFC 17/3 Gladiators 9 5 2 2 42 17 25 17 5 Pukekohe AFC 17/3 Red 9 4 0 5 22 20 2 12 6 Drury Utd 17/3 Thunder 9 3 1 5 19 37 -18 10 7 Fencibles Utd AFC 17/3 9 1 1 7 15 37 -22 4 8 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC 17/3 Pumas 9 0 1 8 24 61 -37 1
POS 17th Grade - Div 3 Competition P W D L For Agst GD PTS 1 Papatoetoe AFC 17/3 Gladiators 8 7 0 1 30 11 19 21 2 Western Springs 17/3 Solars 8 6 0 2 37 14 23 18 3 Papatoetoe United FC 17/3 Outlaws 8 6 0 2 22 19 3 18 4 Metro FC 17/3 England 8 4 0 4 25 16 9 12 5 Pukekohe AFC 17/3 Red 7 3 0 4 23 21 2 9 6 Onehunga Mangere Utd AFC 17/3 Pumas 8 3 0 5 28 32 -4 9 7 Lynn-Avon Utd AFC 17/3 Jets 7 3 0 4 18 25 -7 9 8 Fencibles Utd AFC 17/3 8 2 0 6 7 30 -23 6 9 Drury Utd 17/3 Thunder 8 1 0 7 7 29 -22 3