Friends of Football are to relaunch their women’s and men’s All Stars teams to play exhibition games against up-and-coming youth players.
Our men’s team, which included a number of former full and age group internationals, played several games in Auckland before the COVID pandemic disrupted our programme.
READ MORE: All Stars use their skills and experience to inspire young players >>>>
Our women’s team played their first game soon after the country came out of lockdown and is now ready to undertake more games.
Our All Stars aim to provide entertaining games in which players who have reached the top of their sport can inspire players still at school.
We plan to stage up to three games for each team this year.
While plans for our women’s team are on track, Friends of Football need a special volunteer — someone who can become the next team manager of our men’ All Stars.
Main photo: Teams together … our men’s All Stars with players from Westlake Boys High School.
Team manager: men’s All Stars
Ideally, the volunteer will:
- Be an enthusiast for football and keen to give back to the game they love.
- Have people and organisational skills to round up our squad and plan their games.
- Have good contacts within the game to help bring our squad together.
Games will be in the Auckland area and will be played between our All Stars and secondary school first teams.
Matches will be held at grounds of Friends of Football partner clubs, so our players, the schools and spectators can enjoy post-match social activities in a senior club environment.
Our model event was the match between our women’s All Stars and Mount Albert Grammar School, played at Auckland United’s Keith Hay Park.
Spectators watched a free-flowing game between an All Stars side packed with former Ferns and a school team that included future Fern Milly Clegg.
Three hundred players and supporters enjoyed the post-match function.
READ MORE: Enthusiastic crowd enjoys exhibition game between our All Stars and MAGS >>>>
WATCH: A celebration of women’s football with the All Stars and MAGS >>>>
How to apply
If you think you could help us relaunch our men’s team, please email editor@friendsoffootballnz.com.