NUAFC 1968-2018

WAIKATO 1st Division, 1992
1992
Rear: Neil Gorman (Player/Coach), Tony Crook, Chris Banks, Glen McLennan, Greg Nicolle, Wayne Funnell, Reuben Barnes,
Sandy MacDonald (Player/Manager).
Centre: Andre MacDonald, Andrew Pratt, Marcel Cross, Paul Montford.
Front: Karl Allen, Shane Gorman, Regan MacDonald (Captain).
How to win a trophy without winning a game!
This year, for the first time in its history, Sport Waikato
incorporated into the Waikato Sportsperson Awards three new
sections, to recognise fair play - Fair Play Team, Fair Play Individual
and Fair Play Incident.
Two teams were nominated for the inaugural Fair Play
Team section - United Old Boys' Under 17 Rugby Team (winners of
the Matamata-Piako District Sports Awards 1992) and
Ngaruawahia AFC 1st Division Soccer Team (winners of the
Waikato District Sports Awards 1992).
The award went to the Ngaruawahia Soccer Team,
which included a number of our High School boys. The trophy,
plaque and cheque were proudly collected at the event by player/
manager Sandy MacDonald on behalf of the team.
The soccer side is the local club's 4th team and was
quickly assembled just 10 days before the
commencement of the 1992 season at the request of the Waikato
FootbaJI Association to alleviate a bye in the Waikato 1st Division.
To make up a team a number of NHS boys were "recruited" along
with other youth and adults from the district.
With the club already fielding a Northern
League Division 1 side, a Waikato Premier Reserve side and a
Waikato 3rd Division side (all seniors), the squad was affectionately
known as the "babies", who, each weekend, played against
seasoned and skilful veterans of soccer. Only one of the 21games
was won (against their own 3rd Division side after 135 minutes of
football) in a local cup knockout match.
Players who made up the team were never once
cautioned, booked or sent from the field of play. There was no
retaliation towards any opponent or official in either action or
word and all games were given 100% by all players.
Those who played for the side were:
Marcel Cross (goalkeeper )
Andre MacDonald (fullback & forward)
Andrew Pratt (fullback)
Matthew Montford (midfielder )
Shane Gorman (midfielder)
Nigel Liddle (midfielder)
Sandy MacDonald (goalkeeper &. Manager )
Regan MacDonald (midfielder &. Captain)
Reuben Barnes (midfielder)
Chris Brennan forward )
Neil Gorman (Coach)
Other team members were:
Glen McLennan (ex Fraser HS, fullback)
George Sunnex (ex Hamilton Boys HS, midfielder )
Matthew Williams (ex St Pauls Collegiate, forward)
Paul Montford (ex Tokoroa HS, forward)
Chris Banks (ex Raglan , midfielder)
Greg Nicolle (ex Raglan, defender )
Wayne Funnell (ex Rotorua, midfielder)
The Ngaruawahia Club Awards evening recognised
Andrew Pratt as the Most Improved Player, Andre MacDonald as
Squad Member of the Year, Reuben Barnes and Regan MacDonald
as Sportspersons of the Year, Regan MacDonald as Player of the
Year along with minor awards where Reuben Barnes gained the
Super -Wally Award 1992.
The team is also grateful to fellow staff -member Doug
Marsh (Manager of the Premier team) who gave the boys every
encouragement throughout the season, and who once had the
opportunity of very nearly scoring against them in a Cup clash -
hard luck Doug!
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