Community Football season off to a cracking start
Auckland United FC Division 3 Diamonds.
NRF Community football kicked off Saturday 27 April with a hiss and roar!
At Keith Hay Park we had teams everywhere, last minute uniform purchases and the Clubhouse Cafe was humming.
A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes preparing for over 70 AUFC teams to play this weekend: coaches, team managers, grade coordinators, club facilitators, parents and players, and it all came together in a fantastic weekend of football.
U11G Starlings had a tough but fun start against Onehunga Sport.
Our Community Girls teams all had games this weekend, with our junior girls being at home on Keith Hay Park. It was great to get around to see the girls at their first games of the season. The first few rounds will help NRF find appropriate challenge points for the girls groups.
There was a lot of positive and enthusiastic energy across all the teams. It is lovely to see football being enjoyed by all our girls.
U12G Herons got the better weather and smiling match against Metro.
All of our teams are connected by school, past teams or friendships or interest and some of our players are brand new to the AUFC family.
Our youth girls, U13-U19s, have grading rounds for the next few weeks which will create some bumpy results while appropriate divisions are worked out. They all played away from Pukekohe to North Shore.
U11G Magpies played a tight Eastern Suburbs.
Our NRFL U14 and U16 Girls both drew against Northern Rovers, while our U15 Girls who play in the U14 Mixed Conference division on Sundays got off to a great start against North Shore United.
Senior Social Football kicked off this weekend too, with the Men playing Saturday afternoon and the Women on Sunday.
U11G Pukeko did great with 8 players against Onehunga Sport.
Our Div 3 Diamonds, who were promoted after their great season in 2023, have also lost a number of players to university, jobs and other changes. Reformed under coach Winston, they played a strong match against a very young Metro side on Sunday. They have a tough game coming up.
Having lost some of last year's players who have gone off to university and jobs around the country (good luck!), U19G Isabellas played Onehunga Mangere to a narrow win.
So a warm welcome back to all our returning players and a special welcome to all the new players and families who are joining us this year.
U12G Herons player of the day was Harper (above left). This was Harper's first time playing football and she played with confidence and a great attitude! U10 Falcons played Fencibles with flare (above right).
Let's play football!
Nga mihi
Women and Girls Chair
Auckland United FC