Kerikeri to get NRFL opener

Local football supporters are being giving a rare and historic opportunity to see the provincial side in action here when Northland FC take on Takapuna in a NRFL regional league game at Waipapa on Good Friday.

Owen Liiv, general manager of Northland Football, noted that Northland coach Dan Johnston was intending to bring a strong side north to play the season opener, with the match shaping up to be one of the toughest games of the 2018 campaign.

Both the Northland FC first and reserves teams have traditionally played their home fixtures in Whangarei, Liiv said.

“But with football on the rise in the Far North and a willingness by Northland FC management to promote the game throughout the region, this match has been scheduled for Kerikeri.”

Bringing the game to the Far North had not been without its challenges. Takapuna FC had requested that the extra travel north to be subsidised before they would agree to play in Kerikeri and this had been achieved thanks to some very generous support of local businesses in Kerikeri and Waipapa.

Liiv said everyone was becoming very excited at the prospect of seeing an actual NRFL game in Kerikeri and all were looking forward to seeing a strong turnout of local supporters there to cheer the home team on.

“We’re all excited about playing this game in the Far North, it’s a great opportunity to show everyone that Northland FC is truly a regional football team. It’s been a long time coming and I hope we can put on a good show for the people that come out to support us.” ■ Northland FC Reserves play Takapuna Reserves at 12.30pm, with the main event, Northland FC vs Takapuna, kicking off at 3pm. Both games will be played at the Kerikeri FC fields at the BaySport complex on Harmony Lane, Waipapa on Good Friday, March 30.