Ambitious Ngaruawahia United have made three signings to help their bid for promotion to the Northern League.
Second in the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship, Ngaruawahia are aiming to join Waikato rivals Hamilton Wanderers and Melville United in the top tier of regional football.
In the lead-up to the June 30 transfer deadline, Ngaruawahia United made three signings, giving all three players their debuts off the bench in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against promotion rivals Tauranga City.
Henry Fa’arodo (from Franklin United)
Best-known is former Solomon Islands captain Henry Fa’arodo (40), who joins from Lotto NRFL Northern Conference side Franklin United.
Former clubs in New Zealand include Hamilton Wanderers, Wellington Olympic, Miramar Rangers, Team Wellington, Nelson Suburbs and Auckland City. He also played for A-League club Perth Glory.
He can play in midfield or up front, and has 20 international goals to his credit, from his 64 appearances with the Solomon Islands.
Main photo: Henry Fa’arodo … experienced player with 64 appearances for his country. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Franklin United have already found a replacement in striker Iwa Shaker (34), who joins from Papatoetoe.
Last season, he scored 24 goals for Papatoetoe in the NRF Men’s Championship. His pedigree includes stints with Manurewa, Mount Albert Ponsonby, Bucklands Beach, Manukau United and Auckland City.
Legion Rogerson (from West Coast Rangers)
Ngaruawahia have also signed winger Legion Rogerson, from Northern League side West Coast Rangers, where he’s been mainly playing U-23s football.
Prior to playing for West Coast Rangers, Rogerson was with Auckland City’s U-23 side, but he played his youth football in the Waikato, with Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers.
Writing in Ngaruawahia United’s match programme, head coach Kyle Park said: “Legion is a player I’ve liked for a long time, watching him play for Hamilton Wanderers and Auckland City.”
Tomas Castro (from North Shore United)
Also joining Ngaruawahia is midfielder Tommy Castro (23) who has played for Manurewa and North Shore United since arriving from Argentina’s Club Social Deportivo Huracán de Trelew in 2022.
He’s been playing in North Shore United’s U-23 team this season.
Ngaruawahia won promotion to the renamed Men’s Championship last season, after finishing runners-up to Hibiscus Coast in the Lotto NRFL Second Division.
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