Page 7 - NUAFC EBook

thought we had cracked it. We started as usual with 9 football. This is because it has been a long time since we
th
players and went 1-0 up after 10 minutes! We got a 10 had some decent youth coaches, rather than just (non
th
and then an 11 player, but ultimately went down 1-10 playing) parents of the kids.
with Shimo getting 5 – bugger! I’d like kids to be taught at Ngaruawahia United AFC
• Other teams of highlight was the successful wooden- by people like Webby, who was ahead of his time, he
spooners of the Federation league in 2011, our “third taught skills years ago and whilst I haven’t been the best
team”, competing with the best in the rest of the player in my family, he was the best Coach I ever had in
federation! We had so much fun, parking the Bus, terms of teaching technical skills.
moving the Mini, and all the other shenanigans that we It would also be great to have Marty Kerr-Bell also
got up to! It was never about the football, true Narra passing on his expertise. There are so many past players,
style it was about the comradery you had with the lads who can do more to help us get back to where we should
and whilst we lost almost every game, those that were be by being part of our Youth Development programme.
part of it. I remember it fondly. I’d encourage you to consider this, as it is only a
• We then progressed to entering into the Waihi couple hours a week to contribute to make a big difference.
Tournament, a truly social tournament, who we all have Well that’s enough of the serious stuff. Thanks to
come to make a pilgrimage to for the last 6 years, everyone for being part of our great history and my
drinking our weight in beer, playing in the latest knockoff memories! I don’t know what the future holds, but please
kit, playing more drinking games than football…it should make sure you are a part of ours.
be said, we won it once… then followed it up with last Jared Williams
place the year after! Club President
2014-18
Then I grew up – all of a sudden, I had my
th
st
18 Birthday party there, my 21 , my Engagement
th
party, Lisa and my combined 30 Birthday party.
I have celebrated many a milestone at this
place, it really is a home for me – dragged there as a
kid but drawn to it as an Adult. I constantly strive to
make it a place for my kids and everyone else’s that
ensures that they enjoy it as much if not even more
than me as a kid.
And for the last 5 years I have been
President. A job that, to be honest – I never wanted.
But, I have always been taught, if you don’t like how
things are done, or you want them to be done a
particular way – don’t “Moan” –Get involved and do
something about it.
It has been a really tough 5 years.
Obviously the History books won’t be kind
about the on-field success that we have had as a Club
with me at the “Helm”. But I’d like to think we have
really pushed the facilities along in terms of
improving them. We have got a new Kitchen, some
new training lights, a new paint job, some new
dugouts and soon to be a new facility over by the
playground that will be not only a new toilet block,
but also storage for Junior equipment and additional
changing facilities. Good things take time.
The focus going forward from now is to
restore the Pride in the club. That might sound silly
as everybody is very proud of this club, but it was
heart wrenching when we made the decision to
withdraw from the Northern League.
I want us to get back to punching above our
weight like we have for over forty years. Where
people chose to come and play because Narra was
the place where you work hard - play hard. But it
starts with our Youth and our investment in them.
Too many parents take their kids into Hamilton for
Lisa and Jared, 2013.
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