Tahuna club revives its junior football ranks

Junior football is returning to Tāhuna by popular demand.

Tahuna FC held a registration day on Sunday and around 40 kids came along.
“Not everyone signed up, but we were stoked to see so much interest,” says club president Will Murphy.

The Tāhuna junior grades folded after 2010-11 when the club became part of the FC Nelson merger. So the local Tāhunanui playing fields have not seen any junior play since.

“Constant demand from parents and local schools is there so we just want to see it work and be affordable. The cost of sport in New Zealand is really getting out of control. We are just trying to cover costs rather than looking to make money,” declares Will.

Tahuna is primarily focusing on first kicks which is an introduction for four to six-year-olds but also hopes to attract young players from six to 12.

Will says it would be great to have team in the girls U12 league at some point as there has been a big uptake in female playing numbers in Nelson.

“We are quite a large senior club now and we want juniors to comeback and eventually feed into those teams,” confirms Will.

The club is working with the Nelson City Council to upgrade the facilities with more access to water and toilets. That cause is probably helped by having councillor Tim Skinner as a fervent supporter and player. Tim remembers turning out for Tāhuna as a kid and came along on Sunday, looking to register two of his younger children to take part.

“The council is very supportive of getting kids and adults out to play,” says Tim who is hoping to return to the club’s masters ranks this season.

Former Tahuna coach and referee Gary Walton thinks it is wonderful junior football is making a comeback, insisting the people behind the scenes are doing a great job of promoting it.

“We sold our souls many years ago and went over to FC Nelson when the Tahuna club was very strong at the time. Now lots of clubs are saying it is good to have you back in the junior grades.”