Southland Football season kicks off

The Southland Football Association kicks off its junior club competition this weekend with more than 500 budding young All Whites taking to the field cheered on by their families.

Along with the competitive enthusiasm of the many young soccer stars, Southland Football manager Ken Cresswell said they are delighted to have the support of SBS Bank on board as the key sponsor of their junior club competition for the coming season.

“The support of our community sponsors is vital in ensuring we can operate our association to the best of our ability. We’ve always benefitted from the terrific customer service and support and financial security of SBS Bank and now we’ve got the added bonus of a great community partnership for the junior season.

“This year we will have 48 teams involved in the junior club competition, with players aged from seven to 16 years. They will be playing at various grounds throughout Southland, with the majority of competition games being held in Invercargill.

“I know we’re all excited to have the support of the team at SBS Bank as our juniors launch into the coming two weeks of pre-season games, before the official competition starts on 8 May.”

SBS Bank senior investment consultant and avid football follower Iain Walker said his Scottish roots could take responsibility for stemming his passion for football, but he had remained actively involved with coaching both juniors and adults since immigrating to New Zealand nearly three years ago.

“I enjoy playing football – the round one that is – and it’s fantastic to have such a strong Football Association and hard-working management team here in Southland.

“I’ve always appreciated the opportunity to get actively get involved with the local teams through coaching at all levels, including assisting with Spirit when time allows me to.

“This year it’s a real bonus to be able to say Southland Football has another great season ahead with its new turf, great junior numbers on board and the support of SBS Bank for its junior club competition.

“It’s another way SBS Bank can really demonstrate its commitment to supporting its members and their community,” Mr Walker said.

The Southland Junior Club season runs through to mid-September