New Zealanders have often been at the forefront of our international guest list for the NSR Kanga Cup and the 2016 edition of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest youth football tournament is shaping up to be no different. The first of our friends from across the Tasman to sign up were Parklands FC from Christchurch, following in the footsteps of the FC Twenty 11 and the Coastal Spirit teams that have previously attended, and will be returning to Canberra this July
Like their FC Twenty 11 and Spirit forerunners Parklands FC have had to undergo a massive logistical and administrative effort to secure their participation at the 2016 NSR Kanga Cup as club spokesman Peter Carr explains.
“It’s been a huge effort,” Carr confirmed. “Our aim was to raise $25 to $30k and at present we have fundraised around $8k. Our club is helping us with entry fee, and supporting us where they can. As we don’t have a lot of money we are doing everything we can as I believe in our boy’s and the future they have in the game. We are looking for a major sponsor for our team as we have another International tournament in December in Auckland run by Wynton Rufer and then again in Germany in 2018.
“We would like to thank our current sponsors Cloud 9 Homes, Uni Quip Australia & Uni Quip NZ, Cosgroves, ITM and Parklands Football for their support in making this trip a reality for our players.”
As Carr mentions Parklands are utilising the NSR Kanga Cup as an important development tool as they aim to peak for the 2018 International competition run by Kiwi football legend Rufer. That means that participation in events such as the NSR Kanga Cup are vital if the team is to continue to make headway and produce players such as club alumni Rebecca Gillett who made the NZ secondary schools side in 2015 and recently gained a scholarship to US college Southeastern Louisiana.
“We have kept the core of our team together for last three years,” Carr said. “This year we have six new players that will strengthen our team. We have one player who is playing a year above his age due to his ability. We have a great bunch of parents who help support the best they can. Our vision is big, but if you don’t have one you will never succeed in anything you do. The way I look at it is, the bigger the vision the bigger the outcome.
“Last season the boy’s struggled with knee and feet problems due to growing. With the amount of injuries they had they always fought to the end of each game. This year they are fully fit and looking forward to our season which starts on April 2nd this year.”
The lure of international competition and the chance to test themselves against Australian opposition was the key to Parklands entering the 2016 NSR Kanga Cup with Carr, and his coaching team, aiming to measure where their team is at in comparison to their peers from other countries.
“The Kanga Cup is something we want to start using as a pathway to developing players to a higher level,” Carr informed us. “This is our first time at the event so it will be huge excitement once the whistle goes for our first game. Our boys are looking forward to opening ceremony as well. We have a few player’s that are at different stages in their football development. As we have a relatively new team it will take them a few games to gel. I believe we have players that will go a long way if they stay dedicated to football. We are strong across the park whether it be attack or defence.
“As experienced coaches know you need a lot to go your way in a big tournament. By making sure your players stay fit and keeping to our game plan. I would like to return every year with a 13th grade team as part of our pathway for our club. It’s going to be great to meet influential people who have knowledge and share the same passion I do for developing children to their best potential.”
If you would like to join Parklands and the other New Zealand teams at the 2016 NSR Kanga Cup don’t delay! Register now.