Time to register for 2009 season

The 2009 soccer season will be starting in just over two months, with the first games of the season in the last weekend of April (Sunday 26th, because of ANZAC Day).

Please note that we have had to increase the fees this year to $50 per player. The national body, New Zealand Football, has increased its registration fees by between $40 and $120 per team, depending on the age group, and we have to pass that on. It now costs us an average of $35-$40 per player (depending on age group and number of players in the team) to register teams in the competition. This leaves us very little to use to buy uniforms and balls, and send coaches on training courses. In fact, there is never enough money to cover all our costs in a season, and we always need to get grant money or donations to get through the season. However, it is important to keep the costs as low as possible so that children have the opportunity to play. (Other Porirua/Mana clubs - with the exception of Porirua Leste - charge between $70-$100 per player.)

You can download our 2009 registration form here.

Key dates for season:
20 March — teams finalised by club
27 March — last day to register teams with Capital Football
26 April — first game of season
11 July — no game in middle weekend of school holidays
29 August — last game of season

There are 18 games scheduled for this season. Let's hope the kids get to play all of them (and not seven, as one team had last season).

Draw for 16 August

8th GRADE
Pukerua Bay Dolphins vs Onslow Kims, Greenmeadows (10am)
Pukerua Bay Skinks vs Onslow Raroas, Greenmeadows (11am)

10th GRADE A
North Wellington Mariners vs Pukerua Bay Stingrays, Redwood 2 (P) (11am)

11th GRADE C
Pukerua Bay Barracudas vs IBU Marlins, Postgate (11am)

12th GRADE B
Pukerua Bay Sharks vs Karori Rappers, Elsdon (10.45)

15th GRADE B
Bishop Viard College vs Pukerua Bay Rangers, Bishop Viard (9am)

Results for 9 August

8th Grade
Pukerua Bay Dolphins defaulted to North Wellington Chaos
North Wellington Impact 1 Pukerua Bay Skinks 3

10th Grade
Pukerua Bay Stingrays, Bye

11th Grade C
North Wellington Sharks 2 Pukerua Bay Barracudas 2

12th Grade B
Pukerua Bay Sharks vs Karori Rappers Cancelled

15th Grade B
Pukerua Bay Rangers 3 Wellington College D 0

Capital Football's plans for the weekend

Keith Palmer sent an email to clubs today with Capital Football's plans for this weekend. According to Keith, all the local councils report the same conditions with their grounds; very wet, with little chance of much play this weekend. Optimistically, even the better grounds will handle only one or two games. However, true to their word, Capital Football are giving the youth grades priority this weekend. According to Keith:

"The priority for this weekend is to try and find some game time for those worst hit by the cancellations this year - that means juniors, especially the 12-17 age groups in the Combined (Wellington/Western Zone) grades. We'll also look to play Hutt Valley juniors and King Toyota Super 6s if the grounds are good enough. Priority will continue to be given of course to Central League, Champs Premier League and Capital 1 and 2 as well.

We are hoping to play a lot of junior football this weekend for 11th grade and younger (i.e. not played on full-sized fields) but the big factor here will be how much rain we get on Friday."

So, that's welcome news for the youth teams. Of course, Capital Football will try to play as many of the younger juniors - 11th grade and younger - on the smaller fields they don't share with seniors.

Draw for 9 August

8th GRADE
Pukerua Bay Dolphins vs North Wellington Chaos, Greenmeadows (11am)
North Wellington Impact vs Pukerua Bay Skinks, Churton 3 (11am)

10th GRADE A
Pukerua Stingrays vs Olympic Kronos, Ngatitoa 1B (9am) FRIENDLY

11th GRADE C
North Wellington Sharks vs Pukerua Bay Barracudas, Raroa Inter (11am)

12th GRADE B
Pukerua Bay Sharks vs Karori Rappers, Elsdon (10.45)

15th GRADE B
Pukerua Bay Rangers vs Wellington College D, Adventure 2 (10.45)

Results for 2 August

8th GRADE
Pukerua Bay Dolphins 2 North Wellington Fever 10
This was one muddy game! The Fever were a player down so we are very grateful to Meredith for volunteering happily to be a Fever team member for the game. Meredith scored two goals for Fever and showed some real tactical play and positioned herself during corners to score, which paid off. Reece scored the two Dolphin's goals with some well positioned big kicks. Lewis Wyatt and Tabitha Huxford both did sterling work in the goal, preventing many more goals than were scored and not being afraid of the mud. Reuben, Alex and Louis Bailey were all over the field working hard. Bruce played the most connected game he has had this season and got to the ball first several times.
Overall it was a really good exciting game and it is clear to both Stu and I at this game and the practice that the kids are really starting to make sense of the skills and tactics and also to work much more as a team.
Players of the day Reece Wyatt and Meredith Metcalfe.

Wests Suns 7 Pukerua Bay Skinks 2
The Skinks had a competitive game against the Suns this week. Their fitness was tested on a bigger field than they were used to. However, they started well with some impressive passing and excellent running on to the ball. Maia scored a good goal in the first half and the Suns scored two.
We started the second half strongly on attack. Courtney S had a couple of strong attempts at goal, which were well defended. Amy then made a lightening run from half way to score a sensational goal! This brought the score to two-all. Unfortunately, after this the Suns dominated and we ran out of legs. Final score 2-7.
Player of the day: Courtney Spence for her energy and ability to run all day. Excellent work all over the field. Special award: Mary Lynn Huxford for working hard all game and also attacking well.

All other games were cancelled.

Cancellations!

Once again, the combined league games (11th to 16/17th grades) were cancelled because Wellington City Council closed fields. These teams have not played since June 21st - one month ago. We have complained to Capital Football about these older teams always being the first ones cancelled. It's particularly disappointing for the 15th Grade Rangers as they have taken the initiative and organised the team themselves and run their own practices. These boys are at an age when kids stop playing sport, and they are pretty disappointed at having played only four games so far this season. We think Capital Football should be doing all they can to encourage teenagers to keep playing. Perhaps some of the younger teams or seniors (heresy, I know) could miss out next time Wellington City Council fields are closed?