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Kia ora Team Western! Welcome to the second edition of our Western AFC Junior eNewsletter for 2025—and what a fantastic start to the season it’s been! Winter football is well and truly underway, and it’s been amazing to see our young players back out on the pitch, giving it their all with energy, teamwork, and smiles all around. This newsletter is your go-to for the latest club news, match highlights, player shoutouts, and all the updates you need to stay in the loop. Let’s dive in! ⚽ Weekend Recap: Our Junior Stars Shine Bright What an incredible weekend of football! Our Western tamariki lit up fields across the region with enthusiasm and heart. Match Moments: Community Vibes: Players of the Week: 👕 Hoodie Hype! Have you seen our juniors in their brand-new Western hoodies? They look incredible—and they’re already a huge hit! One of our youngest players proudly told us it’s the softest thing he’s ever worn—and he didn’t want to take it off, even at bedtime! These hoodies have brought warmth, pride, and a real sense of belonging to our players this winter. We want to give a massive shout-out to VIP Trade—your generosity made this possible. Thanks to your support, our tamariki are turning up to games wrapped in warmth and wearing their club colours with pride. You've helped build more than just team spirit—you’ve made memories. 🏃♂️ Football Minutes Competition THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR... The results are in for the April Minutes Challenge, and what an incredible month it’s been! This challenge was all about getting on the ball, getting outside and active, and gearing up for the upcoming winter football season — and you all absolutely smashed it! We were seriously impressed by the effort, energy, and commitment shown by everyone who took part. While we wish we could award everyone, only a few can take the top spots. That said, we hope you all enjoy your awesome Western wristbands and Jibbitz prizes — a little something to celebrate your hard work! AND THE WINNERS ARE… Special Mentions: Sam Taitimu-Kidd, James Stewart, and J.J. — just behind Sam in a very close boys’ competition Sofia Buckley — amazing work coming second William Stewart — right on Wilbur's heels in Fun Football A huge well done to everyone who took part. Whether you won or not, every minute you spent with the ball has made you fitter, sharper, and more ready for the season ahead — and that’s something to be proud of! Photos to come soon… 🥇 Weekend Highlights: Our Juniors in Action 🌟 Western FIRST KICKS Today was so much fun! Thank you all, we coaches are very excited for the rest of the season, as it’s going so great! Well done to: Player of the Day (POD): James Anderson for his enthusiasm and encouragement on the field. James was also always ready to jump in and give it his all, keep up the great work! Moment of the Day (MOD): Willa Luxon for amazing courage to get back up after being knocked over, and carry on playing like a champ. Also for scoring the first goal for her team!. 🌪 FUN FOOTBALL Western LIGHTNING What a fantastic round of football today! There were so many goals today that we completely lost count—it was an incredible team effort from everyone on the field! Amazing energy, top-class football, and a match to remember. Bring on the next one! Player of the Day (POD): Knox Hewett - who had an incredible run down the wing, setting up multiple chances and showing top-notch gameplay! Moment of the Day (MOD): - George Guthrie – he was an absolute rock, always positioning himself perfectly between the opposition and our goal while keeping the squad moving forward. Western STORM Our first local Derby Game for our Western teams! Storm v Thunder - and what a clash it was!! From the outset - the energy and play was great to watch - the ball was being moved around, some great runs, some outstanding defence and overall played with great pride! Overall - a great game and no matter the result - both teams clearly enjoyed playing Football for Western! Player of the Day (POD): Whetumarama Watene - who in his first game impressed with his dynamic movement all over the pitch and ability to know where to be when defending and attacking! Moment of the Day (MOD): - Daniel Nistor - picked up a Hatrick and for deftly finishing a scorching goal past Coach Arron! Western TORNADOES The Western Tornadoes delivered an outstanding performance in their second match of the season! With fantastic teamwork, some brilliant kicks, and loads of determination, these boys showed just how much heart they bring to the game. They're shaping up to be a fantastic wee team, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the pitch next week! Player of the Day (POD): Hugo Lauti Moment of the Day (MOD): Wilbur Cameron Western THUNDER Our first local Derby Game for our Western teams! Storm v Thunder - and what a clash it was!! From the outset - the energy and play was great to watch - the ball was being moved around, some great runs, some outstanding defence and overall played with great pride! The team played amazing for the whole duration with plenty of tenacity and Western pride on display! And player of the Day went Overall - a great game and no matter the result - both teams clearly enjoyed playing Football for Western! Moment of the Day: Rosie Johnston - for the best tackle of the day which stopped the attack in its track and even got Thunder into an excellent attacking opportunity! Player of the Day: Rafael - his first game in the Red & Black and impressed with his overall energy and willingness to get involved and play!
🐯 9TH GRADE Western TIGERS What a game! The first of the season for some of our boys and the first ever for Kenji, who looked like a seasoned professional. And don’t get me started on the dynamite duo up front, Bentley and Kaydin wreaking havoc in Hurunui's defence like they were related to each other. And talking about family, Hussin and Abdul, really showed their family signature, with Abdul scoring on his Debut! Noah didn't fell short and displayed a lot of pace and determination! Player of the Day (POD): Ashton Gibb - display of the Tigers attitude. Starting as defender, being all over the place and even being rewarded with a goal for his crazy efforts, was hands down the righteous owner of the trophy this Saturday, keep it up!!! Moment of the Day (MOD): Alex Hawken - with precise tackles in the first half and a great save in the second half as goalie, on his `first game! Western WOLVES Was a great game this week, completely different mindset with our positioning and spacing. The team was keeping space for each other and holding their positions perfect to allow plenty of movement around the field. First half was filled with great passing throughout the whole team that lead to some great goals. Second half we started well but had some confusion on positions that lead to the other team scoring a couple of quick goals. Goals by Alex, Connor, Pierce and Josh. Keep up the work team Player of the Day (POD): Alex Rush - with his impeccable defence, timely passing and great finish at goal. Moment of the Day (MOD): Josh White - for his breakaway goal.
🔥 10TH GRADE Western PHOENIX A barebones Phoenix team of seven took on a sharp and hungry Halswell Mustangs side at Warren Park. Phoenix showed spirit and resilience, but continually repelling the Mustangs took its toll as the team began to tire and ended up on the wrong side of an 11-0 scoreline. Phoenix had a number of counterattacks, which, with the rub of the green, could have resulted in a goal, but it wasn't to be. All Phoenix players had positive moments with important tackles made, nice saves, and skilful dribbles. Player of the Day (POD): William Walker - for his non-stop energy, and defence breaking runs. Moment of the Day (MOD): George Congalton - for making a number of good saves in goal. Western FURY Great effort today to finish the game on a high with second half goals. Fletcher (1) Sam T (1) and Oliver striking the back of the net 3 times. Well done to all for your hard work this week. Player of the Day (POD): Carter Baird - with fantastic defensive play in the first half to stop their attack several times. Stopped us going down early. Moment of the Day (MOD): Oliver Buckley - with the first hat trick of the season. 3 outstanding goals.
🔥 GIRLS Western FLAMES A late unlucky goal defeated us today, but boy was it exciting end to end action. Great efforts all round, great saves from our keepers, long sweeping attacks starting from the back. We pushed a real solid Halswell team to the end. Player of the Day (POD): Maddy Church - amazing effort all over the park, learning a new position as well as learning a new sport. Moment of the Day (MOD): Mia Church - battling thru injury and stopping opposition attacks. Well done girls, be proud of today’s game. Thanks to all the parents helping with the admin Western STRIKERS A great game again for the girls who worked hard right until the end. Well done everyone for a very exciting and nerve-wracking game. You should all be very proud at how well you worked together as a team. Player of the Day (POD): Piper Puketapu - for her great defence and goal keeping. Moment of the Day (MOD): Lexi Stuart - for her awesome goal near the end of the game.
11TH GRADE Western WARRIORS Another perfect morning for Football and the boys put together a great game that secured a solid win… A clean sheet for Zeb in goal and a Hat Trick for Hunter plus numerous players having some close attempts on goal with them either just drifting wide, hitting the woodwork or some amazing saves/blocks from Waimak. Player of the Day (POD): Louis Dugdale - super mobile around the park and showing great ability to read the game and connect passes - also had a few longer-range shots on goal that only just missed their mark. Moment of the Day (MOD): James Stewart - with his defence - consistently and confidently anchoring the back and also helping start the attacking buildups.
🗓 Training Logistics 📍 Where: Westminster Park (weather permitting) Please arrive 5–10 minutes early so we’re ready to start on time. Training is crucial for building skills, confidence, and chemistry — let’s make every session count! 📣 Team Communication Please keep your coach and team in the loop:
This helps us stay organised and ensures every player gets the most out of each week. 🏅 Weekly Awards
🚨 Upcoming
We’re so excited for what’s still to come this season. Keep showing up, playing hard, and supporting each other—on and off the field. This is what makes Western more than just a football club. It’s a community. It’s a whānau. And we’re so proud to have you with us. Let’s go, Western! Coach Arron
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