The draw for the 2015 Under-19 Youth Championships, to be held in Napier over Labour Weekend, has been announced and we have been placed in Group G of the Satellite Tournament.
We’re in with Havelock North, Manurewa, North Wellington, Onehunga Mangere and Takapuna in what appears to be a wide open group. Only the group winners progress to the knockout stages so we’ll be in for a tough couple of days if we’re to improve on our best effort at Napier of 2nd in our group in both 2011 and 2012. We’ve also finished third in our group in 2008 and 2013 while our only other appearance, last year, saw us finish fourth.
The squad starts preparing for the tournament next week, with twice weekly training sessions running through until Labour Weekend. We also have two pre-tournament games already arranged; against Tauranga City United on October 10 and Pukekohe on October 17 (both 2pm kick offs at the Domain).
We are one of only five WaiBOP clubs heading to this year’s tournament. Hamilton Wanderers will take part in the main tournament, while Melville United, Tauranga City United and Cambridge join us in the Satellite draw.