Demand sees activities increased
Club embraces diversity, expands programmes
Te Awamutu AFC has started several activities this year due to the growing demand for the game of football or other variations of it. The summer five-a-side combined with First Kicks (4-6-year-olds) and now the First Skills Clinic for 12-15-year-olds is evidence of its growth, with Sherwin Park being a hub on Wednesday nights.
That’s not forgetting the girls-only programme, Milo Fantails, for 5- to 12-year-olds on a Monday night, while several senior teams are already well into their pre-season training at Anchor Park.
The winter registration for juniors closes on March 15, followed by a check and adjust session for the registrations in either social or development teams the week after.
The Southern League men have opted to do their pre-season fitness under new Under-23 coach Matt Houlihan from Crossfit Assiduous, who will still be buzzing after his first run-out with his team.
Guilo Bernasconi netted four goals and the young Te Awamutu man did an Italian job to slot his first goal for the U-23 team.
Lots of the sport’s growth is directly linked to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup and the knockon effect will still be felt for years to come.
Bone & Body Blueprint co-owner
Lesley Egglestone reached out to propose to the club that the women’s players get DEXA scans at their business this year.
Egglestone offered them two scans each, the first of which are being completed this week.
The scans, coupled with the ladies’ attendance at F45 Training Te Awamutu sessions and pre-season work, are a huge motivator in balancing the barriers to women’s sport.
After the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, the club put in a successful bid for free gear, including goals, training gear and a whiteboard, which the girls are itching to use.
They renovated their own toilets
at the club in February and they are often at McDonald’s Kihikihi Speedway, collecting money at parking and picking up the rubbish and running BBQs and coaching younger females in the club.
All of these things show that not only are the women eliminating barriers, but they are now the face of the club.
As they look to enter two teams in the WaiBOP league, they are encouraging anyone keen to play to reach out and join them.
Te Awamutu AFC’s activities and contact details can be found at teawamutuafc.co.nz.