Soccer's future assured in the Waimarino

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 1, 28 May 1985, Page 36

Soccer's future assured in the Waimarino

The long term future of soccer in the Waimarino looks assured after Sunday's local derby match between Ruapehu College and Waimarino United.

Waimarino came from two goals down to claim an emphatic 8-2 victory witb seven of them coming from the boot of James Waera. Prior to the match, the President of the OhakuneKarioi Rugby Sports and Social Club, Ron McDougall, announced that the club's committee had approved, in theory, the amalgamation of Waimarino United Soccer club with his rugby club. "We have a few more points to settle such as how many representatives the soccer people would have on the committee, although at this stage it will probably be two," said Mr McDougall. The question of playing strips would also need to be discussed as Waimarino currently play in a red jersey while Ohakune-Karioi's colours are primarily blue. "In the first couple of seasons, the soccer side could use their old strip but when they need replacing, they would have to change to a blue one." Mr McDougall is pleased that the soccer club is making the move to Rochfort Park. "The more people we can involve in this club, the better," he said. It is also understood that a women's hockey side has indicated that they too are keen to use Ohakune-Kar-ioi's facilities. Assistant manager/coach of Waimarino United, David Archibald, is also looking forward to the move. "We have been banging our heads against a brick wall with no real ground or clubrooms," he said. Rochfort Park has a spare

ground which needs clearing but could be used for soccer games. "We would also be able to have regular practice sessions which would be a great help." Mr Archibald said that the soccer side would be looking to having a more professional approach and that long term plans could involve moving into Northern league competition and entry into the Chatham Cup. "We are having a special meeting within the next week to discuss the move and what it involves for us," he said. "As far as I am concerned thqugh, I believe that as a ge^ture of good faith, we should adopt a blue playing strip right from the word go." Should the meeting decide to take this action, then fund-raising would need to begin immediately as replacement strips are quite costly. The club is also looking at the possibility of obtaining a sponsor whose logo could be used on the playing jersey.

Meanwhile, soccer in the region struggles from week to week due to the inclusion of the College team in the Tongariro league thisseason. Last year Waimarino United finished second in the league and were able to field five or six college students in their team on a regular basis. This year, when it was

discovered that there was room for an extra team in the league, school teacher John Laurenson, who had been a valuable member of the Waimarino side, decided that a College team should be entered to gain valuable experience. Although this has weakened Waimarino this year, long term it can only be beneficial as these players,

when they leave school, will be an important gain for the club. "It has given us the opportunity to introduce new players into our side," added Mr Archibald. The club is keen to hear from anyone who is interested in playing soccer as some weeks they are finding it difficult to field 1 1 players.

Sunday's local derby at Ruapehu College proved one thing, that the region has the players for the future who alongside today's more experienced players, would make a team to be reckoned with. Final score: Ruapehu College 2 - Glenn Journeaux, Richard Hamlin. Waimarino United 8 - James Waera 7, Tom Ball 1.