Hawke's Bay United

Think they will be looking outside for a Keeper

Josh Hill not hanging around? Admittedly I haven't seen him this winter, but he was class for HBU when he played for them a few seasons back.

err you are right that he was class - but he left in 2017 to go back to England

Is the Josh Hill that's kept for Napier City Rovers for most of the season a different one?

Same one. He returned a few games into this season. Has had injury problems though 

Jarrod Smith pulled up injured at the start of the winter season, think he still rehabing, played in goal for one of the club sides couple of weeks back.

HB used to have a bit of a production line of young keepers. Especially age group level in NZ butler , paston, cross, bridle through the 90s. Cross and Bridle were both playing central league at 15/16 years old. Paston cant of been 20 when he was breaking into rovers first team. What's happened? 

couple more young local players been announced, coming out of the Havelock North Wanders production line.

good to see, but I think it'll be a very hard year for HBU (although I have said similar in the past about teams from the Hawkes Bay and been proved wrong!)

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?...

just read this article, confirms secondary schools have little place in the development pathway of local players, when two of coaches would rather win then encourage players to play more passion based football! What worries me more is one of the coaches is involved withhbu youth team... 

I saw that too and on reflection it doesn’t really surprise me. In a results based environment (such as this tournament) I think a coach will most likely utilise the tactics that give them the best chance of getting a result. However, if these coaches are recognising the superior ability and tactical nous of these opponents AND the hoof ball tactics are not working - surely they need to spend most of their time coaching their teams to emulate it. In the HB context (which I think is concerning you - watching from afar - and me too) where do our young kids go to for the proper development? 

where do they go... tell them to head to Wellington!!! That's more a question for the people who are getting paid by central football and clubs to answer.

My thoughts, Havelock appear to be doing good work with their youth, but the success is not at a high level but they are actually using local youth players in their first team, I think I read they had 8 school boys in their squad. I dont know what there set up is. 

I just cant believe that there is not a club in HB that has looked at ole/west and thought they are doing good things let's give it a go here... I'm not saying the whole set up is the same, but get the kids in the 3 or 4 times a week training, have them playing together, I'm sure I have said this before.  For clubs to offer 1 session a week and call it an academy is a bit token, what are they really hoping to achieve. 

So Akers has resign recently. Today another young local player announced Josh Murphy plays for Napier Marist in winter. Again another young player who is going to have to make a leap in standard. I do live the local youth coming though and being given the chance! Looking forward to seeing what local experienced players they will sign up.

Also forgot to mention Rudan Parker signed in Goal. His press release read more like an advertisement for his goalkeeper coaching business rather than what he will bring to the team.

fergus neil signed

probably the best signing so far, provided he's still the player he was of course

A few good siginings announced over the last few days, Selimani,  ex USA under 18 player currently in Czech Republic 2nd division,  Someone from Canada Premier league,  and an ex Manchester United youth player.  Also, seem to be doing a better front on letting the fans know what is going on as well.  Hope the bay can get back behind this team.  

Yeah, sounds like they only having these 3 imports will be interesting to see the quality again compared to whats about in central football. ex united player was released at 16 and is coming out of the giddy heights of the Icelandic 3rd Tier... 

American boy sounds a bit more promising. 

Ummmm Iceland's the place to be these days? 

yeah if you like volcanoes and snow maybe. Not sure about foraging out a career as a footballer... especially if the level you play is 3rd tier.

NCR import Johnny McNamara has sign for HBU, as he has been in the bay all of 8 months they are not considering him an import...?

Nah he's 100% Hawkes Bay as now!

Pretty blessed to be shooting at most of the home fixtures this season for the Hawke's Bay Today/NZ Herald. 

Looking forward to season kick off on Sat 2nd November. 

See you there! Should be a fun season!

Make sure you say hi! 

Awesome!  We have you up there in the last game of the season, from memory.  Will most likely make the trip, so looking forward to a yarn :)

Will do. I'll be doing pics some games, in the stands other games. I wonder if we have met before and I didn't realise it was you!
Are you going to the pre season game today? We are going, though I won't be doing photography, just watching and then we will race home for the Nix game right after.

Even better Trace, not scheduled to work that one!

Now that I think of it I think we have met during Rovers matches this year. 

Yep was there with my two kids. Good game (what I saw of it!!!)

Were you doing pics at the home opener vs Auckland? We were there but I was feeling really unwell, so stayed in our seats and left pretty quickly after. Hopefully I'll be doing pics at the next game but I'm really day to day with a chronic health situation. No doubt our paths will cross at a game soon though!

It's hard to think, you have been here 6 years already Canada. How are you enjoying The Bay? Miss home at all?

Ah, it's a mere 4.5 years since we arrived. I joined the message boards maybe a year or so before we came over and really appreciate everyone on here who helped us out! 

I'd say at Christmas, Birthdays, Canada Day, etc I miss Canada but not really any other times. If we did go back, I'd really miss NZ! 

We live really close to Park Island, so we basically have footy games to go to all year round!

Was me roaming around. Other photographer in the corner was John Cowpland from Getty/Photosport.

Back on deck again this weekend. Say hi if you see me

Hoping to be well enough to be there with my camera tomorrow too. Maybe see you there! C'mon the Bay!

Great to meet you today! Fun afternoon despite challenging lighting conditions. 

Why did my post to C-Diddy appear three times? Lol! 

Because the meeting was so memorable?

Any info about the game would be handy.

2-0 win for HBU with goals by Ihaia Delaney and Bill Robertson, both goals in the first half. I was wracking my brain in trying to figure out ways of getting photos in tricky lighting, so can't give a detailed commentary on the game itself.
Ahinga Selemani got a red card late in second half, though not sure what for. Ruben Parker was solid in goal when it was needed.
Team seems to be working well together. Good to see that a bunch of different players are getting goals in different games not just one.

Yeah 1st half was the pick of the halves. HBU looking solid and seem to have a bit of depth in their squad this season. 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12285933

Actually good to read something not put together by Mr Singh! Non of the 18m beefeater coalface bollicks he produces! just a straight forward report on the game.