With just days to go, the excitement is mounting in the nation’s football community. New Zealand’s top-tier domestic leagues, including the ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership, now is into its 3rd week, are among the only in the world inviting fans to attend games – and not just on the sidelines.

For the first time ever, every single match of the ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership will be broadcast live, with fans able to tune in from anywhere with a solid internet connection. One game per week will be televised on Sky Sport 7, and every match in between can be live-streamed on Sky Sport’s free-to-view YouTube channel Sky Sport Next. We’ll keep you updated on kickoff times and how to view throughout the season, but nothing beats the view from the sideline so we encourage you to get along to Seddon Fields for as many home games as you can.

Waitakere United will be fielding a mostly returning squad this season, among which are no less than eight under-20s, six players hailing from our partner club Western Springs, and four new signs (with some players meeting more than one credential – think of it as a Venn diagram). Credit for the composition of Waitakere’s 2020/21 squad must go to last season’s strategic partnership with Western Springs AFC, and the appointment of Paul “Hobbo” Hobson as head coach.

Hobbo’s focus on player pathways and his ambitious push for a top-four finish saw Waitakere United finish third in the 2019/20 Premiership, while their partnership with WSAFC opened Waitakere United up to an impressive pool of local talent and enviable facilities. Off the back of an incredible season, Waitakere United are placed well to remind fans why they’re the second most successful team in the competition’s history.

Waitakere United also welcome their new and returning sponsors. Triumph Motorcycles are once again front-and-centre on the team’s brand-new strip, and R-Line brings their electrolyte-rich sports drink to the mix. Such partnerships make football possible, so a special thanks for your generosity!

All the action kicks off this weekend at English Park, Christchurch where Waitakere United will take the pitch against Canterbury United. Last time the two sides faced it was a nail-biting victory for Waitakere, and the team will be looking forward to another challenging game this time around.

“We’re really happy with the mixture of experienced national league players and the youngsters just starting out.” Said Head Coach Paul Hobson.

“We’ve managed to come together as a team quickly throughout preseason so I’m really looking forward to the opening match of the season, it’s always a tough game at English park.”

We’ll be keeping you posted with weekly updates direct to your inbox, via our website and on our social media channels. Keep a particularly close eye on kick-off dates and times – these differ week to week and are subject to change. See all Waitakere United’s fixtures on our website.

THIS WEEK | Canterbury United v Waitakere United
Saturday 14 November
English Park
Kickoff 2pm
Streaming live on Sky Sport Next

Squad List

1 Nicholas Ross DRAPER
2 Regont MURATI
3 Jack DUNCAN
4 Luke SEARLE
5 Samuela (Ibo) KAUTOGA
6 Dane SCHNELL
7 Alex CONNOR-MCCLEAN
8 Gerard GARRIGA GIBERT
9 Angus (John Dennison) KILKOLLY
10 Samuel BURFOOT
11 Alexander (Alex) GREIVE
12 Hayden AISH
14 Zac ZORICICH
15 Leon VAN DEN HOVEN
16 Dino BOTICA
17 Joshua REDFEARN
18 Nicolas ZAMBRANO
19 Shuiab KHAN
20 Nicholas MILICICH
21 Andrew CROMB
22 Elliot MUNFORD
23 Dawson STRAFFON
24 Nathan LOBO

Staff
Paul HOBSON – Head Coach
Daniel (Dan) COOKE – Asst Coach
Malcolm MCPHERSON – Asst Coach
Chris MILICICH – DOF
Marko (Marko) NUICH – Physio

Training Squad
Luke Jerkovic
Corban Piper
Liam Gilbert
Aidan Lehan
Chase Taylor
Oscar Garcia

Special thanks to our sponsors
Triumph NZ Limited
R-Line Electrolyte Drink
Williamson and Co Chartered Accountants
The Jefferson Whiskey Bar
Auckland City BMW
Lotto Sportswear
West Auckland Trusts

Stay connected:
www.WaitakereUnited.com
Facebook: @WaitakereUnitedFC
Instagram: @WaitakereUTD
Twitter: @WaitakereUTD

More information about the ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership can be found on the NZ Football website.