Waikato/BOP Federation

Six Waikato and five Bay of Plenty sides kick off the third Federation Three soccer competition today.

In 2004 the Waikato-Bay of Plenty association heralded the formation of the federation league as a major step forward.

After two seasons the expected improvement in standards had not eventuated and the competition returned to separate Bay and Waikato leagues.

Although the top four from each league played off for the title of federation champion last season, several clubs believed the league should have been persevered with.

And today marks its return.

Taupo, winners of the two previous federation leagues, host Waikato champions Matamata Swifts at Crown Park.

As well as looking to earn three competition points, Taupo will also be defending the new Federation Challenge Trophy.

Claudelands Rovers, who chose to relinquish their place in the northern league, meet Tauranga City United.

Huntly Thistle have home advantage against Cambridge.

During the off-season Rotorua City and Suburbs merged to form Rotorua United and the new club, which boasts International Stadium as its home ground, host Otorohanga.

Whakatane face Ngongotaha while Te Awamutu have a first-round bye.

There will be plenty of new faces on the coaching bench as well as the pitch when the Waikato secondary school soccer season starts with the College Day tournament on April 21.

The invitational tournament, hosted by St Peter's School in Cambridge, provides an excellent opportunity for top first XI teams to finalise their teams, develop strategies and check out the opposition.

St John's College has appointed Bryce Johns, editor of the Waikato Times, coach of its first XI. Johns is a former northern league and central league player, with 20 years of first team football. Coaching-wise, he led Whangarei City women's team to Northland titles and has coached juniors.

However, the major trend this season is a move towards teachers coaching first XIs.

St Peter's School has appointed teacher Duncan Baird, from Hamilton Girls' High, to succeed Mark Cossey as coach of its boys first XI.

Baird will look to continue the outstanding successes he enjoyed coaching Waikato-Bay of Plenty girls teams over many seasons.

Traditional soccer powerhouse Hillcrest High has recalled experienced soccer administrator, coach and teacher Colin Milne to the first team coaching role, after a two-year spell by old boy and national league player Sam Wilkinson.

At St Paul's Collegiate, former All White Michael Groom is continuing as first XI coach. St Paul's is one of the strongest squads on paper, having talented players such as Chris Woods, Adam Thomas, Liam Phillips, Michael Built and Colin Murphy.

Hamilton's largest school, Fraser High, has been consistently in the top four over recent years, and could again be prominent under new coach Brian Webb.

Melville High has named former Melville United first team player Scott Robinson, recovering from a broken leg, as its coach.

Hamilton Boys High has appointed Dave Edmondson to its staff and he takes over as first team coach from HBHS parent Graham Duffield.

HBHS has won six consecutive premier league titles, but has lost a number of experienced players, particularly New Zealand schoolboys player Daniel Toulson and midfield wizard Mark Christiansen.

Edmondson has a new squad of promising players, though a pre-season leg injury for Sam Margetts means their star is unlikely to play this season.

This adds to the prospects of St Peter's, St Paul's or Hillcrest ending HBHS' dominance.