Inter-regional game day provides football and friendship for academy youngsters

Twelve teams from Auckland, the Waikato and King Country have enjoyed a one-day game day run by the RH3 Football Academy.

Hosted by Cambridge FC at John Kerkhof Park, the day consisted of six matches involving teams from Cambridge’s advanced academy programme players, five teams from the academy’s elite programme in Auckland and a select team from Taumarunui.

Games were played by age group, with U-8, U-9 and U-10 boys’ teams, and U-11 boys’ and girls’ teams, taking part.

“It was a fantastic day,” RH3 founder Ricki Herbert said.

“It’s important that we bring players together from different regions so they get the chance to meet and play against players with the same enthusiasm for football,” he said.

“The chance to meet off the pitch, and make new friendships, is also an important factor in what we’re trying to do.”

Interaction between the academy’s Auckland and Waikato players began some years ago but were disrupted by the COVID pandemic.

Herbert said academy staff and players had missed the inter-region games during the pandemic, and made it all the more enjoyable when they resumed.

The games also gave opportunities for academy coaches and players to step up and help run the day.

The academy’s Auckland head coach Dylan Morris oversaw the five teams that travelled south while Cambridge’s Wade Vincent organised the day’s format.

Coach Ken Detman had brought together a selection of players from the King Country, enabling them to take part.

Players from RH3’s Cambridge residential facility helped by refereeing games and young players Nat Young (15), Oscar Gifford (15) and Jesse MacDonald (15) all coached sides.

Herbert said the key to the day was the desire of the players to enjoy their football, and the backing of their families and supporters that made the day possible.