Chairman's Corner
 Welcome to the third edition of the Harcourt Herald, a monthly newsletter from The Tararua Sports Club and Upper Hutt City Soccer. Hopefully you have enjoyed the read to date, and this issue is our biggest yet! Remember if there is anything you would like us to cover, or any comments you have to improve the newsletter please let our editor Phil Gorman know, Phil can be contacted on phil@ryos.co.nz
As we head into the last month of the regular season, the action is really starting to hot up, however the biggest issue we are all facing is the weather, with the rain just seeming to never end resulting in lots of cancellations. Many of the kids have not played for a month now, and the prospects do not look much brighter for the next week or two. It does make you wonder whether football here in NZ should follow the lead of many overseas countries where they have a mid winter break, or perhaps move towards all weather pitches so the weather does not wreck havoc with the weekly fixtures. Certainly this is how Hockey in NZ has managed to combat muddy grounds, and this could be a pointer for our future.
I would like to wish all junior players who are involved in representative trials over the next few weeks good luck, I’m sure with the high skill levels and passion of many of our kids we will once again be well represented at the Hutt Valley level, and also congratulations must go to Ian Mawdsley who has been selected as the Head Coach for the Hutt Valley 13th grade rep side. Furthermore, our Director of Coaching Ian Porteous, in conjunction with Kevin Blair are now putting together the planning for our U19’s, who’s season begins at the end of the regular season, watch out for next month’s newsletter for more info on this area of our club.
Finally, with 2008 regular season drawing to a close, let’s go out and enjoy the last few weeks of football (weather permitting!), and I look forward to seeing you all around the junior and senior pitches, and up at the clubrooms.
Go the mighty Orange and Blacks!
Peter Thomas
Chairperson
men’s club captain
Only two games left, the season seems to have flown by, away to Island Bay this week and three points would be great for the team, great effort last week against Miramar the supporters enjoyed it from the balcony.
The support for the 1st team at home games has been outstanding a big pat on the back for all our supporters that turn up week in week out.
With the end of the season looming we will also be saying goodbye to our American imports, both Andy and Brian head back to Missouri the week after the last game and are hoping to get a bit of sightseeing in before they leave.
Both the guys have been excellent in the way they have managed themselves and have been a pleasure to be involved with.
Their attitude to the games and also the time they have spent at TMP with the juniors has been a huge bonus to the club.
If you haven’t met these guys yet we still have 2 home games for you to get to know them.
Andy and Brian, personal thanks for all that you have done for the club in your short time with us, I hope you go home with some fond memories of Upper Hutt and NZ.
Also a special mention to the guys that have put in the extra effort to make their visit work, Shar and Ali, Pete and Nicki, Phil and Mel and also Trist and the crew at T.E.D. Holdings, Trist I’m sure the guys have really enjoyed working with your crew.
All your input has really made things happen...
Just around the corner is the under 19s due to get under way within the next two months, this year’s squad for Napier looks like being quite competitive and I’m sure under the guidance of Ian we will be well represented.
Prior to Napier at labour weekend we have our own u19s tournament, already the background work is taking place and we have a number of teams already entered, this is a big weekend so if you can lend a hand it would really be appreciated.
We are still running the Nursery grade at Harcourt on Saturday mornings and additional coaches are needed, if you can help out for an hour please contact John Blaikie.
Look forward to seeing a big crowd at Harcourt on Saturday!
Tony
director of coaching
From the coaching side the last four weeks have been very frustrating as results have not been what anyone at the Club, including myself, has been after. Our league game at Lower Hutt really put us on the back foot with several serious injuries and a sending off really making things difficult. However, I think we should have picked up points along the way.
It is no big secret what needs to be done to turn things around. We just need to work hard and get back to what we were doing before the Lower Hutt game. Our 1st team squad is as good as any other team on their day but we cannot afford to have three or four players not prepared to do their job on the park.
It has been good to see our 2nd team get back on track with a couple of good wins in recent weeks. I managed to watch their home game against Miramar and what really pleased me was the way they kept up after going behind twice. In the end they more than deserved their win.
It is now the time of year to start getting our under 19s ready for both our own and Napier’s tournaments. I am confident we can give a good account of ourselves at this level. I have seen real progress with a number of our squad. Every player in this age group only has to look at what young Joel Marshall has achieved this season. At the start of the season Joel wasn’t in my thoughts to be a regular in our 1st team, but once we started our pre season he caught my eye with his attitude and willingness to learn and I think he has played every game from start to finish.
Ian with Colin from Angus & Burrell handing over the keys to Ian’s sponsored car courtesy of Angus & Burrell
For the past month I have been trying to arrange a few coaching sessions with the coaches from our junior grades but this has proved to be difficult with the weather. Let’s hope we can have a rain free weekend so that we can arrange to do this.
We are just about to start our 2nd term of our Academy. Having seen and been involved with the 1st term, this is something we must continue to keep going. The kids have really impressed me with their attitude and they deserve a lot of credit for the way they are applying themselves. There are already several players who have really impressed me with their skill and keenness to improve. We really need to keep giving these kids the opportunity to improve their football skills.
I would also like to give a big thank you to Brad Marshall and Upper Hutt College whose astro-turf facility we use for the Academy and to John Blakie and Kevin Blair who continue to amaze me with the work they put in with both the Academy and the juniors. The Club is very lucky to have them.
Last month also gave me the opportunity to do some coaching with the kids at Maidstone Intermediate. The scheme there looks like it is a big success with Dave Workman doing a great job with a talented bunch of kids. We had boys and girls, some of which had not kicked a ball before, showing great attitude to take part. They really impressed me with the respect they showed and are a real credit to themselves and their families.
We are now coming into the last third of the football season. Let’s hope everyone at our Club can finish on a high and then get ready for a big push for success next season.
Regards Ian Porteous
focus on our sponsors
Maidstone Sports Power Upper Hutt
As always with a sports club as large as ours the logistics can become very difficult, Trevor from Maidstone Sports Power in Upper Hutt has been a long time supporter/sponsor of Upper Hutt City and provides us with the majority of our Apparel and hardware at the club. We are extremely grateful for your ongoing support Trev.
Maidstone Sports is now located at 2 Geange Street (new bigger brighter store) opposite Export Meats. Having relocated from main Street 18 months ago.
Maidstone sports are your number one supplier for all things football related. They are stockists of Upper Hutt City Shorts and Socks and also carry a wide range of Football Boots with great brands such as Puma, Lotto, and Adidas. If you are in need for any accessories Maidstone Sports is also the place to go for Shin pads, Goalkeeper gloves and sprigs, along with a wide range of Cricket and Tennis Hardware.
Trevor also carries a wide range of other licensed product including the All Blacks, Super 14, and should shortly receive Phoenix Supporters apparel.
Maidstone Sports are also specialists in Salt Water fishing supplies.
MAIDSTONE SPORTS POWER
2 GEANGE STREET
UPPER HUTT
PH 5297342
Sharp
Once again the club is extremely lucky to have the important services of another major sponsor, SHARP have been great supporters to us over the years with the sponsorship of photocopy machines and countless pages of coloured photocopying all of which has helped us produce great looking club programmes, we are thankful to SHARP this season for the support of the new cash register and your continued technical support.
Finding the right document system for your business has never been so easy. Drawing on its over 30 years of imaging expertise, Sharp offers a broad line of digital multi-function products, from compact personal models to high-speed duplicators and full-colour document solutions, to meet the diversified requirements of both small home offices and large corporations alike. And because all models integrate the latest digital imaging technologies, you can be assured the highest standards of quality and flexibility for your documents every time.
Please if you are or your office is in the market for any colour/ black/white printing, document management fax and scan solutions be sure to look at the wide range of services and products available with SHARP
Sharp Corporation of New Zealand, 111 Dixon Street, Wellington,
Phone: (04) 382 9089 Fax: (04) 382 9093 Web: www.sharp.net.nz
Enhanced functionality, maximum efficiency, greater simplicity-that’s Sharp’s commitment to improving people’s lives through technology and innovation.No matter what the need is, Sharp Facsimiles can fit into any office and budget. High performance without compromising quality that provide a new level of faxing convenience Whether in your home or office, you can enjoy the convenience from fax, copy, answering machine, print, and phone functions.
barclays fantasy premier league invitation
Tararua Sports Club has invited you to play in their Fantasy Premier League called Upper Hutt City.
If you aren’t already playing the game then you can register at http://fantasy.premierleague.com
Once you have logged in and entered your team, click on the ’Leagues’ Link you can find on the right of the page. Now enter the code 108162-27670 to join the private league.
Enjoy the game
Brendon Clent
Mud glorious mud vs. Wairarapa Sun 20th July
senior men’s talk
Men’s Spackos
The Upper Hutt Spacko’s are a side dedicated to football played with a combination of the English long ball, Italian flair and Dutch game plans. Having been around now for over 20 years and growing out of the Upper Hutt Cricket Club, the longetivity of the side is unquestionable. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the majority of opposition we face and this year we appear to be the victims of age discrimination whereby the opposition keeps getting younger.
After a traditional slow start to the season, where it always takes about 5 or 6 games for us to get some match fitness, somewhat disappointingly our pace has not yet picked up (alarmingly that now doesn’t look possible). After years of being near the top of our grade we find ourselves in the unusual position of holding up the rest of the table. Injuries and retirements have taken their toll although we have demonstrated through hard fought draws with each of the top 3 teams that on our day we are more than capable of matching anyone.
Big Rob in goal
Our immediate focus now is to move out of the bottom 2 by the end of the season and with a fine 4 - 2 victory over the team just above us recently, our sports psychologist has been telling us that the tide is turning. He unfortunately missed the next week when we lost by a reasonable margin despite scoring 3 goals. However with players of the calibre and reputation of Fast Eddie, Ronnie, Hewy the Axe, Diesel and the memory of famous former spackos such as Jug, Mad Dog and Dodgy Bob burning in our minds we are confident that come the end of the season we will celebrate with a few quiet ones and award the annual keenly contested team prize for ’Fat Spacko of the year’.
Long live the Spacko’s and if someone could find us some calf blood or other performance enhancing substance that would be much appreciated.
Greg Smith
Spackos at play
More Spacko photos
Upper Hutt Saintz (cause we follow the pope) 14b
The Upper Hutt Saintz (because we follow the Pope) are sailing through Capital 14B, having scored 81 goals in 12 games. The team made up of "seasoned old has beens" and football "wanna be’s" is enjoying its football immensely under the astute leadership of Bernie and the pope clan. Nev is top of the goal scoring department with 25 although he should really have scored 50. Other meaningful goal scoring contributions have come from Jozza, Rich, Marge, Hazza, Tony, San and Jason (a class import). Cory, Wazza, Marty, Glen, Synjin and Bernie have kept things tight at the back when needed as well as popping up with a few goals.
The standard of the opposition has seen some real extremes - from a team we pasted 19 -1 after only 80 minutes of game time (the team subsequently withdrew from the league) to playing a young Wellington Team who start their pre match warms ups an hour before kick-off.
We have managed to win all our games bar an unlucky 1 nil loss to Wellington with a weakened team and sit top of the league. Highlights of the season have included Jason’s goal from kick off (3 seconds) in the North Wellington game, San’s woeful finishing (although the boy can pass), Ritchie finally getting over his 3 goal a season hoodoo, Corry our keeper scoring, defeating Wellington 3 nil in the return match, a tight win against the Waterside Fever (Yellow fever supporters), Marty’s 4 in 15 minutes against Island Bay, and best of all the after match drinks. The team had wanted to play in a higher grade and is hoping that they can get into a higher league next year but the foot balling gods will decide that. Interest in the team is already keen for next year!
Marty Leck
senior women’s talk
Ladies 1st team
The Women’s Central League Team is still keeping the crowds enthralled from week to week. With player absences and unavailability we have managed to scrape together 11 – 12 players with Lisa Gibson stripped up on the sideline “In Case of Emergencies” with a torn cartilage in her knee.
Our best performance to date saw us draw 2-2 with Seatoun at a freezing cold Seatoun Park. We had the full quota of 12 for this occasion, including Nicola Ingham who had completed a half marathon an hour before kick-off, and no she wasn’t the sub!! The team played exceptionally well, and battled hard only to be denied the win in the last 30 seconds of the game.
This exciting game should have made for a thriller the following week as the team took on Seatoun again at the rather sodden Harcourt Park for the Uncle Toby’s Women’s Knock-Out Cup. Unfortunately the team seemed to get stuck in the mud a little, and were on the wrong side of a 6-0 score line.
Lower Hutt was the team’s next victims, and with a total of 10 and ½ players (Toni West had a touch of the “No-Doze” flu we dominated throughout. The final score of 2-0 didn’t truly reflect the dominance of the team.
This week we line up against Seatoun for the 4th time this season. After a two week break due to weather it will be good to get back on the park, with a full quota of players to choose from.
We also have the privilege of having the U17 Women’s World Cup Trophy on display at the grounds for your viewing pleasure.
Ladies 2nd team
When last reported we were gearing up to play Lower Hutt Zimmer’s at Fraser Park.
We arrived at the park knowing that we were short of players due to injuries and unavailability but with the inclusion of a couple of extra players we managed to field a team and have 2 on the sideline. The ref blew the whistle and the game was on. Both teams came out fighting and Lower Hutt drew first blood by scoring in the first 15 minutes. The team lifted their heads and didn’t let that get them down, to which Lisa scored to keep the game tied until half time. The second half began and Lower Hutt was determined to win the game but thanks to Manu this was not to be their day. Upper Hutt winning 2 – 1
22 June was to be a hard game against Tawa. In the first round the game was cancelled due to the bad weather and with the recent rain we thought it may be cancelled again. The game went ahead and the ground was heavy under foot but we did have a ref (Thanks Pedro). A goal keeper’s dream, lots of water and mud. The rain fell and the wind blew, it was a truly miserable day. The game was an extremely physical game and this was shown in the final score. Tawa winning 4 -1
29 June playing against Wellington United - Game cancelled due to bad weather
06 July playing University but transferred to Wakefield Park due to the weather and ground closures. This game was a difficult game as it saw the keeper changed 3 times due to illness and injury. The replacement keeper gets a big round of applause from me for the great saves. Well done Suzanna. But let’s not forget the goal that has been a long time coming for Laura. University winning 4 – 1
13 July playing against Stokes Valley – Game cancelled due to ground closures. A great day and an extra week off for all players to recover.
A big thank you goes out again to all those players that have jumped in to help us out when needed. You know who you are and I thank you.
Next game North Wellington away. Weather permitting
Tina Gray
phoenix kid’s shirt winner
Last month we shared with you some fantastic images of our juniors enjoying themselves over the last few weeks out on the park on Saturday mornings.
We ran a competition to go into the draw for mums and dads to enter shots showing the kids enjoying themselves and I’m pleased to announce that this is our winning image for this month. Congratulations to Liz Stewart for supplying us with this great picture just look at the determination and enjoyment on these kid’s faces, ABSOLUTLEY PRICELESS
Liz we will be in touch with you shortly with your prize of a Wellington Phoenix Kids jersey kindly supplied by RYOS for all your Wellington Phoenix supplies
WINNING PICTURE
RUNNERS UP
special offer discounted phoenix merchandise for upper hutt
The Wellington Phoenix season kickoff is just around the corner as we look forward to another year in the exciting Hyundai A-League. Those of you in the market for any Phoenix or Yellow Fever Merchandise RYOS as a supporter of Upper Hutt City Soccer will offer club members a 10% discount off any Phoenix or Yellow fever Merchandise, just drop me a line phil@ryos.co.nz with your query, a brand new range of Phoenix Merchandise is due out any day now keep an eye out on the website www.ryos.co.nz or visit me in store at 256 Lambton Quay
A major plus for RYOS this year is the distribution in Wellington of the Yellow Fever merchandise; most of these designs are available in Adults, Ladies and kids, check out the range online
PHOENIX BEANIE HOME JERSEY PHOENIX SCARF
$25 less 10% $100 - $130 less 10% $30 less 10%
YELLOW FEVER TEES
www.yellowfever.co.nz
message from junior chair
Well it’s turning into a year like 2006 when many teams only played 12 games or less and the weather meant cancellation after cancellation. There is very little we can do about it but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
This month I wanted to focus on coaches, without you we could not survive as a club. It is our aim to provide you with both the tools to coach (balls, bibs, tees etc) and the skills to coach. At great deal of hard work has gone into providing the tools to coach and I believe we can provide everyone the tools they need.
Some of you have a back ground in football and sometimes you turn up on our door step with the skills, qualifications and drive to make a difference right from the start. In the majority of cases you’re a parent of a 7th grade player who is told that if someone doesn’t put their name forward then there will be no one to coach your son or daughters team. So your hand goes up and you’re it. Players and other parents look to you to have all the answers from that point on.
The club will always want those of you who have a passion to coach. It is those of you who feel pressured into doing something that you don’t really want to do that we would like to let off the hook. It’s easier said than done. We have a large number of teenagers in the club both at junior and senior levels that have the skills and ability to coach a team. The problem is usually around their own games conflicting. We are working through the options available to address this.
The ‘Capital Football Coaches Network’ is now ready to go for all of the coaches in the Wellington region. This network has been setup with the aim of providing coaches with regular informal coach development. Coaches felt that having completed a course, nothing was then offered to them as a support mechanism regularly.
I’m pleased to advise that Upper Hutt City Soccer have registered for the CFCN this means that there will be no cost to any of our coaches to register. Over the next few weeks we will be contacting all coaches both past and present with a view to confirming their registration. Ultimately it’s about increasing the knowledge of coaches which will hopefully increase the standard of the players we produce.
John Blaikie Junior Chairman
junior focus
This season the 11th grade has six teams playing, one each in the JPL, Promo and A Grade sections and three in the B Grade Section.
All appears to be running smoothly within the teams and this is a credit to all the ‘mighty fine’ coaches and ‘super’ team managers we have.
As of late the weather has not been kind at all, but it is still great to hear of our young ones getting out there and having fun win or lose. And what would soccer mean to our kids if we didn’t have the fantastic parents on the sidelines each week supporting the teams, so thanks to you all.
Let’s hope the weather starts to improve and there are a few more games before the end of the season.
Sonia van der Vegt 11th Grade Manager
JPL & Promo T Barr Plumbing 11th grade
This year we have taken the opportunity to train the JPL and Promo teams as a squad of 27 players which were picked from three trials. We faced our first hurdle prior to the season starting with Wairarapa 11th grade team challenging us for a spot in the JPL. This meant that we had to bring a team together of players that we untried together. After a few practices and games against 12th and 10th grade teams we were confident of securing our place. Fortunately this was not needed as another JPL team withdrew from the competition allowing both us and Wairarapa to play. (Thank you to both 12th and 10th grade teams for giving us a workout)
Training as a squad of 27 players, has, had its pros and cons and teething problems but has two solid teams. With Kevin Blair and I (Barry Buchanan) coaching the squad had been fantastic and given us opportunities that is difficult to achieve when training separately, especially in the area of getting the right fit for each player. Kevin having the more technical side of coaching and me working on teamwork. We have the ability to see how all are playing and affording us the chance to move players between JPL and Promo and be confident they will fit into the team dynamics as they all know how each other play. I also note that we can play full sided games during training nights giving the teams more time to fit into place and get an understanding of their team mates. Their skill level is ever increasing as is their knowledge of the game.
As with each year it is not normally until the middle to latter half of the season that we all really click. Having the squad I believe will give us momentum for the next season and be ready to start achieving results earlier.
Individually as teams the JPL have produced solid results though having a lot of opportunities are struggling to get the ball in the back of the net. With that being said they are playing well together and it is only a matter of time that things will click. There have been some great efforts from the defensive end for this team. The Promo team has had some great wins and are working very well together, with the three areas defence, mid’s and forwards working and linking well together making a solid unit.
As the season nears is finale we hope the wet weather retreats and allows us to produce some good games. We are proud of the efforts produced thus far and expect more to follow.
Thank you to all the parents who have helped and supported the squad for the season with cheering, nets, washing the strip, getting the players to games/practices on time, water bottles. We have also been fortunate to have a choice of three refs this year. It would be remiss of me not to mention the managers. Catherine Bryant and Katrina Blyth, without these two Kevin and I would not have had the freedom to just coach.
11th United Water
United Water is a great team and is playing good structured football. The team are players that went to trials and missed out on the JPL and Promo teams and therefore are keen to learn and play hard structured football.
Trainings are good fun with players wanting to learn.
And the result is the team turning in impressive performances each week and have played 8 league games and scored 37 goals and only let in 5 goals and sit at the top of the Hutt Valley league for 11th Grade.
Regards, Ian - Coach.
UH Mortgage Link 11th Grade
Hanes Venter is the coach and we practice Fridays at Upper Hutt College from 3.30pm.
We have been fortunate to use the gym in the wet sessions, so thanks to Hannes for allowing us that opportunity.
The team is coming together and we are using the strengths of the attacking players and mixing up combinations to allow players to get a variety of skills. David Marinan, Anton Botha and Aaron Algar have been outstanding in goalie position as both David and Anton have never played soccer before. Zelius Venter, Aaron Harrison and Callum Denzel have all scored a number of goals on attack. Zac Koedijk, Kegan Precey and Patrick McCann in the midfield have all scored a couple of goals each. Unfortunately Sean Irving has gone to the UK and has missed a few games. Josh Powell, Raymond Young, Anaru Turner and Fraser Haxton are our defence line. We have had a few wins and look forward to developing our skills. Thanks to Porirua for the miniput Treasure Cove and Porirua Swim passes that we will use for a team event in the warmer months probably end of August since we have had a lot of rain the past few weeks.
Heather Harrison
Manager
9th grade UH B&P Engineering
Game on 20 July - UH B&P Engineering vs. Wainui Wanderers 2-3 - poured with rain and boggy field
Michael Cooper was great at goalie in the 2nd half stopping more than 4 goals; Emma Main was tireless on attack as was Logan Slee, Blake and Mathew Springgay.
Great defence by Kyle Harrison, Nathan Watt and Finn Sargisson.
Heather Harrison
sponsor news
In recent times there have been a number of conversations amongst the football fraternity regarding the financial sustainability of football clubs in the greater Wellington region. Mainly around those clubs that are within a kilometre or two of each other and the costs associated with the running of the clubs, including player base.
The Tararua Sports Club Inc is in a very unique situation of being the only Football club in Upper Hutt and this is reflected by the number of members we have in both the Senior and junior ranks.
The problem we do have, as with other football clubs and sporting codes is obtaining funding through trusts and/or sponsorship to run the club to its potential. We are in competition with other sports and community based initiatives for any funding and it is getting tougher.
Throughout the last month the sponsorship sub-committee and I have been busy putting together requests to the various trusts for playing kits, training equipment, Under 19 funding for the Napier tournament, and various other bits and bobs to help keep the club moving forward.
On the 5th of July we held our annual sponsors day which, apart from the weather and the results, was a very successful day. This is a day where we as a club take time out to individually thank all our sponsors in person. It was unfortunate that a number of sponsors were unable to attend, but you are not forgotten. We as a club appreciate all of the assistance you have given the club this season and hope that we can see you again next year.
We would like to see this club continue moving forward, but this can only be achieved through hard work and assistance from sponsors. Looking forward there are still opportunities to contribute, or if you know someone who is keen to contribute.
We have sponsor packages that range from Senior Men’s and Women’s, to juniors, to club sponsorships.
If you are interested please do not hesitate in contacting Ali James (ali7shar8@xtra.co.nz) or anyone committee member to help make this club the best sports club in Wellington.
Ali James
Sponsorship Manager
FUND RAISING MADE EASY
Just pick up the phone and help your Club.
For every Tararua Sports Club / Upper Hutt City Soccer family member or referral that settles a new loan with us, we will donate $100 OR for every top-up (ie increase with existing lender) settled we will donate $50 to Tararua Sports Club/ Upper Hutt City Soccer.
Is your fixed rate about to expire?
Are you buying a new home?
Are you buying a rental property?
Do you need a new car or holiday?
Do you need to consolidate those HP’s, Credit Cards
or Personal Loans to ease your cashflow?
Does you current loan not fit your lifestyle?
We can help save you time and money
We can often turn a “No” into a “YES”
And our service is free to you
Specialists in
100% finance for first home buyers
2nd + homes or Investment properties
Loans for the self employed
Debt consolidation & Payment reduction
Credit Problems
Don’t be disappointed - See us first
Call Sandra or Kevin in confidence on 04 528 5173 or AH 04 527 9272
Or pop into the office at 59 Main Street Upper Hutt
the reason we do it
Pictures supplied by 13th grade
insight from michael seabolt missouri state
Dear Michael
I would like to thank you Michael for your willingness to put this great article together. I’m sure a lot of our club members will be interested to hear what you have to say, and thanks again for sending us out the two boys COOPS and BRI we have all enjoyed their company
Cheers Phil Gorman
MICHAEL SEABOLT
Upper Hutt Soccer,
My name is Michael Seabolt. I am the coach that arranged for both Brian Pasierb and Andy Cooper to play for the club and come to New Zealand. I have been asked to write something about myself and our program here at Missouri State University. Not sure exactly where to begin, what to put in the middle, and how to end, so I will just jump in it full go and see what happens. What follows will be an open letter to the members of the club and to your greater soccer community.
I was born … okay we can skip that bit. Prior to being a coach and after graduating University I lived in New Zealand for two southern winters. I was a ski bum, ski instructor, and waiter (sometimes dishwasher) in Wanaka and at Treble Cone. This was 1996 and 1997. After that I went to law school at an elite USA university named Duke. While in law school I was an assistant coach at a Division I school. After graduating law school in 2000 I was hired as an assistant coach in the top professional league in the USA, Major League Soccer. Over the next 8 years to the present I have coached 3 seasons assistant coach professional, 3 seasons head coach in the top U-23 amateur league in this country (taking the team to the national final in 2002, which we lost 2-1), and 8 seasons at the university level (4 years as assistant and 4 as head coach, including winning the National Championship during an undefeated season while at the University of Tampa). Currently I am at Missouri State and this will be my second season here.
I became aware of Upper Hutt Soccer when I applied to be the head coach and director of coaching for the club. In the end it was not the right time for me to move to New Zealand. However, I am confident that through the interview process and the work that took place to get Andy and Brian to New Zealand we have built a strong relationships and I look forward to a continued relationship with the club. I remain interested in the possibility of living and working in New Zealand and coaching the sport we all love should the right opportunity present itself.
As for the boys I coached Andy Cooper during my first season at MSU, but did not coach Brian Pasierb because he completed his eligibility before I arrived at MSU. However I did work with Brain on numerous occasions both on and off the field. I am sure I don’t need to tell you that they are both solid players and great people as you are certainly well aware of that. But I will try to give you some general information about the school and University soccer in the USA.
Missouri State is a fairly large state run school in Missouri. We have about 18,000 students. The soccer program plays in the NCAA Division I league. This is the top University league in the USA. There are over 200 schools that compete with us for a national championship. Below Division I there is a Division II and Division III. Each of those divisions also has a national champion. There is no promotion and relegation. The schools themselves choose what division to play in based on various factors, such as school size, funding, number of scholarships, academic mission, etc. The primary season runs from August to December and concludes with a national single-elimination tournament that invites the 48 best teams. During the spring (January to May) we have a second season during which we train and play about 6 exhibitions.
Players play for University after high school, usually around the age of 18. They can play at University for a maximum of four years. After which time their eligibility is completed and they no longer can play at University, regardless of whether or not they have graduated. Players can receive scholarships to help pay for their education, but most players also pay a significant portion of their educational expenses out of their own pockets. Many of our players do not receive any scholarship at all.
University soccer at the top level can be a stepping stone to being a professional. Currently more than 20 of my former players are playing professional (this professional placement rate is the exception rather than the rule with University players), including Jarrod Smith from New Zealand (son of cricketer Ian Smith) who played for me, was a NCAA Division I first team All-American and now plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. However the vast majority of student-athletes graduate and enter the workplace and/or pursue higher degrees.
I hope this letter gives you a bit of sense of university soccer in the USA. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your season. I hope we can send you more players in the future and I can make my way over in the not too distant future to visit the club myself.
All the best, Michael Seabolt
ANDY AND BRI’S GROUND
senior images
Joel all concentration
Coops awaits the incoming ball
MY BALL!!
Bri’s look of Determination
Now that’s a hard day Sharpy
All about control Troy Burling
total football show comment andrew Dewhurst 
Welcome in folks to my first column in the Upper Hutt newsletter. When Phil asked me to contribute something I jumped at the chance. While most of my junior football was played at the Manurewa club my heart is well and truly with the Upper Hutt club and its people. I hope this finds you all well and in good heart.
So at last there is a changing of the guard at New Zealand Football, and not before time.
Incoming Chairman Frank Van Hattum and new CEO Michael Glading have a massive job on their hands to restore faith in the ailing national body after the previous administration effectively left the game broke and looking for hand outs.
I don’t know much about Glading but what I have heard is good. He is by all accounts a ‘people’ person and not one for ‘big noting’. He is also a football person, having played the game all his life so he will understand the world we other football tragics all live in!
Frank I do know well, having enjoyed many a game of golf with over the years and also sharing some club history at Manurewa. He is also someone that Wellington football people and clubs will be familiar with given his spell as Chairman of Capital Soccer.
Some doubt whether he should be in charge given he was on the previous board but I don’t have any issue that that. Indeed I think it is good that there is some carry over from the previous administration so mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Frank is a clever businessman and a no-nonsense negotiator. He has a passion for the game, still plays (thinks he is a striker of course) and will work tirelessly to get the code back on the right track.
Ultimately I guess for the people involved at club level with organizations such as Upper Hutt City, they could care less for the politics and the deals made at headquarters in Auckland and are concerned only for what affects them, at the coal face so to speak.
This translates for me directly into dollars. Top of mind then is the proposed (under the now departed Graham Seatter) levy on all players to try and balance the books. My guess is this will still occur and the current administration will have to cop some short term anger, I simply don’t see any other way out of the financial mess we have been left.
Remember, the ‘rescue package’ is really only an interest free loan from Kiwibank, propped up by SPARC. The game still has to fund its activities over the next 5 years as well as pay back the 1.5 million dollar loan. With few or no new sponsors on the horizon and advances already made on various other funding avenues, I think players, parents and supporters are ultimately going to have to pay for Seatters overspending.
My advice to the clubs is to understand the balance of the national body’s focus between international programmes and domestic football. How they will work with and assist Federations in delivering grassroots and academy type programmes will have a direct effect on Upper Hutt City.
In recent times that focus has been skewed way too far towards the international programme and club football has been left largely to its own devices. Consequently some leagues have collapsed (Northern Premier League) as Federations and clubs were left to bicker and call in the lawyers, the Chatham Cup has been marginalized, the Women’s Knockout Cup also and development programmes have become too focused on ‘user pay’ systems.
New Zealand Football must return to a strong domestic based focus while not ignoring international teams. Clubs and Federations must be made to feel at the centre of attention, not on the periphery.
Good luck to you all for the rest of the season, I hope to be down and enjoying a drink with you all at Harcourt Park before the season’s end.
Andy Dewhurst
www.totalfootballshow.co.nz
our young Americans
Basically, over the school holidays we worked with many teams at TMP. I really enjoyed coaching many different age groups. Some of the kids brought us cards, and candy to thank us for our coaching efforts. All of the kids were great to coach and hopefully they enjoyed it themselves.
During our off time we just hung out with our host families and relaxed. Cooper and I went on a bike ride along the river one Sunday; it was probably the best bike ride we took. As for the football, we hope we can turn it around as a team and get back on the winning path.
We took some injuries and it has hurt us. Other than that things have been great and we are looking forward to seeing more of New Zealand in the next couple weeks.
Sincerely,
Brian
What a team!!! Kids at TMP training with our young Americans!!
pictures from around the world evening 26th july
end of season prize giving
INVITES YOU TO THE END OF SEASON PRIZE GIVING
The event of the year not to be missed is now confirmed and ready to go mark your diaries now!!
SATURDAY 6TH SEPT 2008
TE MARUA GOLF COURSE
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
RADIO SPORTS
MILES DAVIS
 Miles Davis is not a man to blow his own trumpet!
Miles has been punched by Joe Frazier, hugged by Pavarotti, and thrown out of sports stadia around the world. He put in corporate boxes at Athletic Park, has reported on football, cricket and rugby for print, radio and television and appeared live on stage with Iron Maiden. On the down side, he is also a Pom with an opinion on everything.
Our Miles hails from London - supports West Ham United, - and married a New Zealand girl in 1985.Miles’ interest and background is in sports – his career in radio began when he was asked to be a football correspondent covering the World Cup in France in 1998. The garrulous Mr Davis found that he had a flair for broadcasting and moved on to host a football show on Sky Television.
Television led to a full time position on Radio Sport and Miles’ love of sport led to a position as Sunday News columnist for five years and sports reporting on TV3.
By his own admission, Miles is opinionated and confrontational – which makes him perfect for talk radio
We look forward to hosting you Miles!!
Keep an eye open in Next month’s Newsletter for ticket prices and details
player profile
Name: Michael Sharp 
Age: 28
Position: Centre mid / striker
Previous clubs: Walkden AFC Ballajura AFC Australia
Honours: Division 1 champs Walkden
Biggest joker: Andy
Worst dressed: Andy
Best memory in football: Winning back to back titles in the U.K.
Ambition: Live in Godzone permanently
Favourite goal: 1st Goal for Upper Hutt against Wairarapa
Favourite opposition: None (how about Chairs and bikes?) (Ed)
What would you change in football: Nothing?
Favourite pitch: Harcourt No. 1
Best place to go for a drink in town: Don’t Have one but doesn’t matter where
Favourite film/music: Gladiator / Oasis
Favourite drink: Lager
Favourite food: Chicken Curry
Top three dinner guests: Halle Berry, Jenifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite website: None
herald hooligan
Another big weekend at Island Bay with the Premiers playing Island Bay on Saturday (2:30).These are complemented by the thirds against Miramar AC, and the Women’s seconds against Marist, respectively on Harcourt 2 at the same times.
Last week, the Premiers lost 0-2 to Wairarapa in Masterton dropping us to sixth place on the table. Our poor record away compared with at home may have come into play after our convincing win over them at Harcourt a wee while ago.
Miramar beat us 2-1 at Centennial and we hope the home/away thing operates here. Unfortunately they are now looking very comfortable in the Central League and there have been comments made about some of the Central League clubs team selections in the lower leagues on the Yellow Fever forum. The relative stats give us a slight edge - they are immediately ahead of us on the table – but stats don’t pull on a jersey. We’ve scored more and conceded less but they’ve won a game more while we drew one more.
The third’s opponents are third to last compared to our last with 14 points to our 4. The stats suggest 2-1 to the ACs but the thirds have played some good stuff and deserve some return though their lack of continuity has cost them. The seconds (third last, 10 points) are away to BNU (last, 4).
Last weekend, the women’s games were cancelled. Today’s opponents, Seatoun, have been the team to beat for a few years now and although we and Marist have each taken a point off them, these are the only ones they’ve dropped this year. Their comfortable cup win over us here a couple of weeks ago are testament to their quality and they have the edge – a pretty sharp edge I’d say - ¬¬but we did take a point …
The women’s seconds are in the opposite relative position to the men’s thirds. We are in third to last with nine points and Marist last with three. Stats suggest 4-2 to us.
The Slayers are on a mini-roll having won two in a row (for the first time ever) to lift themselves off the bottom of 14a. At the after match we were told that the half-time score was 0-1 down but the half-time Tui seemed to do the trick this time. I note that their fixture this week is their great mates Porirua City Mana – there may be a danger of duelling dozens rather than football.
Isn’t great the confidence that the Capital Football Federation has in the Upper Hutt City Council and the Upper Hutt City Council has in the Capital Football Federation that the other will look after the pitches.
Just because codes that require precisely manicured surfaces like rugby and league are cancelled, doesn’t mean that football which is well suited to underwater and/or ploughed field play, needs to be. We are thus encouraged to broaden our skill base to include and refine such techniques as toe-hacking the ball out of the water when nothing else will shift it more than a few inches, and length-of-the-field slide tackles.
While the senior club has extended invitations to junior parents and officials to visit and enjoy the hospitality of the clubrooms on match day (kids are welcome with you), the ones who’ve come, come back but few others have come down. The invitation remains open but mixing is a two-way affair.
A Hooligan
Check out the Yellow fever forums at http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/forum/default.asp for some really good badinage.
The Premier League one is at http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5238&PN=1 but the other grades are there and enjoyable and the 14th one is good fun too with the Slayers being active on it.
player profile
Name: TROY BURLING
Nickname: T-Roy
Age: 21
Position: Striker/Winger
Club supported: Man Utd
Current club: Upper Hutt
Previous clubs: Wairarapa
Honours: Age group Reps, U19 Wellington fed team
Employment: Bob the Builder
Upper Hutt Debut: U19S 2006
Biggest joker: Sharpy ?
Worst dressed: Sharpy?
Best memory in football: Man U doing the Treble ( or was it Liverpool pete ?)
Ambition: To play in England
Favourite goal: David Beckhams free kick 4 England against Greece 2 get them2 the 2002 WC
What would you change in football: New Zealand to be a lot better?
Favourite pitch: Harcourt Park
Best place to go for a drink in town: Kuripuni Tavern (Masterton)
Favourite film/music: Armageddon/linkin park
Favourite drink: Mountain Dew (and around the world nights at the clubrooms)
Favourite food: Fish n Chips
Top three dinner guests: Becks, Bruce Willis, and Carmen Electra
Favourite holiday destination: Gold coast
Favourite website: none
club sponsors
We all know that our club doesn’t run without support of sponsors and we as a club recognize this and are extremely grateful for their support so please if you get the opportunity, Please support those in the community that support us here at Tararua Sports Club Upper Hutt City Soccer and take the time out to read through our sponsors below
* RIMUTAKA LICENSING TRUST * ANGUS &BURRELL MOTOR COMPANY
* SHARP * DZINE SIGNS
* BETTER PLASTERERS * SELECT ELECTRICAL
* YOUTHTOWN CHARITABLE TRUST * BEDPOST
* CREST FINANCIAL BROKERS/KIWISAVER *SILICON
* WESTPAC * SAVE2LEARN
* UPPER HUTT COSSIE CLUB * MAIDSTONE SPORTS
* MORTGAGE LINK * CARTRIDGE WORLD
* RYOS WELLINGTON * B & P ENGINEERING
* UNITED WATER * T BARR PLUMBING
* UPPER HUTT CAR SALES * VALLEY DIRECT DECORATORS
* TELFER YOUNG VALUERS * STEVE MCNABB ELECTRICAL
* PARAPINE * NZ COMMUNITY TRUST
* NEWBOLDS * ADVKIT
SHARPIE BATTERED
editors note
We are nearing and quite unbelievably the end of the playing season, for me as my first year on the exec committee I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. You have a fantastic group of people on the committee that have shown true commitment and dedication to serve the club and its members. It’s a pleasure to work within such a team.
The weekend just gone has been just one of the examples of pure hard work and effort from your committee members in fundraising for your club. The Around the World evening held at the clubrooms was in planning for many weeks and hosted well near 100 people. This was an extremely successful night and would have been one of the best turnovers the club has seen on a function night at the club. My thanks to all those that turned up and supported the event. Without this type of support from club members participating in functions things are difficult to make happen, funds raised on these types of events help your club continue to function with the likes of purchasing equipment for juniors & seniors, investing in bringing out overseas players, maintenance of your clubrooms to name a few.
While we wait in anticipation of what the next few weeks will bring on the senior playing side of things, I know in my own mind as a committee member we have made huge progress throughout the year on many different levels through hard work behind the scenes that you can be proud of.
The introduction of Ian as Director of Coaching, the import of the American’s, the behind the scenes work being carried out on Constitutions & Governance, Sponsorship, the production of this newsletter, the list is endless these are all things that have been put in place to benefit you as club members in one way or another.
On a personal note and I know I speak for many of those within the club that have had involvement with Andy and Brian, this has been a fantastic experience and a first for the Tararua Sports Club and no doubt not the last. The guys have been a pleasure to host, I take my hat off to those that have gone out of their way and made the experience for them so special particularly The Thomas Family & The James Family for welcoming the guys into your family the way you have, and to Tony Gorman who has done an outstanding job looking after the guys on a day to day basis. Without the commitment from club members like these, things are difficult to make happen.
To Brian and Andy this will probably be the last newsletter you see while you are still with us here in New Zealand, we have all appreciated the efforts and your involvement at Upper Hutt, we have made some great friendships and hope you have enjoyed your time here, hopefully we can see you back here again someday, our thanks once again must also go to Michael Seabolt and Ali James for making this happen
Lastly thanks to those this season that have helped out on Saturday mornings and Saturday afternoons in getting the grounds ready and packed away before and after games for our players. There is a lot of work involved in this each week and it’s much appreciated from those club members that take the time and effort to help out at their club.
Regards Phil
|
