NCR MAG

November 2017

Message from the Chairman
I would like to say it is an honour and privilege to be
the Chairman of this great football club. Thank you for
the exceptional display of passion for the game this
season, and for the continued support I have received
since being elected.
Well, it’s another season over, and what an interesting
one it has been. We have had a few ups and
downs on the park judging by our final positions
across the leagues. But, we have been entertained by
some fantastic displays of football here at Bluewater
Stadium throughout the season. That exhilarating
Chatham Cup clash against Wairarapa is one that
won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
It’s wonderful to see the clubs vision of developing
youth footballers in the region bearing fruits, with
several of our youth players gaining Central League
opportunities this year. The clubs’ aim is to continue
to focus and invest in youth development and
strengthen that pathway from junior football, all the
way through to elite level, with the new Napier City
Rovers Football Academy playing a pivotal role.
A huge congratulations to Richard Gearey, Mike Daly
and the Division 1 team on winning their league this
season. It wasn't an easy run for them, they had to
fight for it until the end. Well done lads.
The ladies team demonstrated great resilience. Despite
struggling for numbers at the start of the season,
they showed grit, perseverance and they continued
to grow. Well done Dan McKenzie and the ladies.
Look forward to seeing you all in action again next
year!
It’s great to see an abundance of innovation and fresh
energy around the club. In April the club launched the
new Academy led by Bill Robertson, in conjunction
with a new sponsor, Mike Shaw at Property Brokers.
The Academy is now in its fourth term and continues
to grow, offering both elite and development pathways
for young players. We also have a new initiative
with Lindisfarne College and continue to connect with
local schools. Also, our Football Skills Holiday Programme
more than doubled its numbers in the midyear
intake, demonstrating a growing engagement at
the junior level.
The fundraising auction and quiz night had the club
rooms buzzing again and raised a lot of funds for the
club. This year’s prize giving was also a huge success.
Great to see people still on the dance-floor right to
the end. We look forward to more nights like these at
the club rooms.
The Lotto National U19 Youth tournament on Labour
weekend was also a massive success. A big thank you
goes out to all the volunteers involved in the preplanning,
the football, and catering operations over
the three days, and the pack down at the end. A big
event that is made look so easy to run by our wonderful
volunteers, but a lot of hard work goes on behind
the scenes. I know that clubs all over the country love
coming here to play football and compete to get their
hands on the big prize. Well done this year’s Main
Draw winners Ellerslie AFC, and Satellite winners
Cambridge FC.
Social media is a key part of how we communicate
and engage with people within the club and those further
afield with a keen interest in Rovers. I believe we
have taken this to another level in the last 12 months.
Technology doesn’t stand still and neither should we.
The club is always on the lookout for tech savvy and
media people who would like to get involved.
Thinking about next year, what lessons have been
learnt this
season?
NCR is a well-known and very successful football club
with a great history. We live in a world that is changing
by the minute, and to ensure we protect the longevity
of Napier City Rovers we must be prepared to
continue to meet the changing needs of our stakeholders,
supporters and senior and junior players.
We also need more people to help out across the club.
We are a not-for-profit football club, and we rely on
volunteers. So, I am putting out a ‘Call to Action’.
With some long standing members wishing to stand
down after many years of commitment, I am looking
for motivated people to join me and the team. If you
think you can help in anyway, big or small, come and
join us and help continue to drive the club forward.
To the Board – thank you sincerely for your hard work
and efforts. Also, to the volunteers that help, both
with football and behind the scenes, and all who have
supported our functions this year. You have all made
a huge difference, so thank you for all your support.
To the fans, as Jock Stein once famously said: -
“football is nothing without fans!” We wouldn’t be the
club we are without you.
All the wonderful club sponsors, a huge thank you.
And as always I ask, please support them. Their input
to the club is invaluable.
Have a great summer, and have a great Christmas
and New Year when it comes.
Hope to see you all at the Christmas Party in December.
Our social committee is busy planning this now,
so watch this space.
‘C’mon You Blues.’
Best Wishes,
Phil Doran,
Chairman,
Napier City Rovers Football Club.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at the club, and joining a great team, please contact
me, chairman@cityovers.co.nz).

Some of our amazing young Blues at Prize Giving

Hello from our new Junior
Co-ordinator
After years of being the junior co-ordinator
at NCR, Dean Mackirdy is now handing
over that baton to junior coach, Chris
Marwick.
Dean has done an amazing job in this role,
but with his son Kees and the group of
players he has coached since they took
their first kicks in the game now moving on
to play U15s, Dean will be focussing on his
coaching role and joining Roy Perks in
advancing our next generation of youth
players. With a winning track record like
Deans, we look forward to watching him
bringing the youth talent through as they
take their first steps in the next phase of
their playing careers.
Chris has been at the club for a few years
and has a wealth of experience working
with youngsters. He is a great addition to
the team and we are very excited to have
him on board.
Here’s what he had to say about his new
role:
“People say that children are our future.
Yes they are our future but they are also
our present, our here and now. If we don't
nurture, support and encourage them then
there is no future.
“When you hear people say children are
the future of this, or our children are the
future of that, you almost get into that
mind-set that we'll put it off, she'll be right,
we'll get onto that tomorrow, the next
week, the next month, the next year.
“We need to start saying children are our
now and we need to do something now.
This awesome club has realised that and
that's the reason why I accepted Phil's offer
to take up the role of Junior Coordinator
for this club.
“I have a passion for life, a passion for kids
as you might tell we have five, and I have
a passion for football.
“The club wouldn't manage without the
support of parents, families and caregivers.
And we especially want to recognise those
parents who step up and help with coaching
and other things.
“I'd encourage you all to give it a go.”
Chris Marwick,
Junior Co-ordinator,
Napier City Rovers
Anyone interesting in helping out in the
junior space or coaching, please get in
touch with the club. We would love to hear
from you.
Chris and his wife Chrisi have just welcomed
their fifth little Marwick into the
world, a baby boy, Brett.
Congratulations Marwicks on your latest
addition to the clan. Look forward
to seeing Brett in a Blues jersey in the
next few years. Best wishes from
everyone at Rovers.

Looking for a way to get fit through the
summer? Come along to the Napier City
Rovers social football training that's
now underway on Wednesday evenings.
It’s a good way to socialise and keep fit
with a great bunch of guys. Come along
and have a go. Invite your friends. See
you there! Bar is open afterwards.
Kicks-off at 6pm, training fields behind
the stadium.
The Napier City Rovers’ Social Committee are busy planning our Annual
Christmas Party.
There will be a visit from Father Christmas, fun and games, and lots of
Christmas cheer.
This will be a fun day for all the family. Details will hit your inbox very
soon, so keep an eye out. Hope to see you all there to jingle, mingle
and eat drink and be merry!
Follow Napier City Rovers on social media
www.cityrovers.co.nz

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not.” ― Dr Seuss, The Lorax