This year is shaping up as another year of growth for the Wānaka Association Football Club (WAFC). 

In 2022 the club had nearly 50 percent of all the teams in the Central Otago and Queenstown competition, and it is expecting further growth this year.

“A big part of the rise in the club’s membership was due to the dedicated girls’ football programme,” WAFC communications manager Anne Timpany said.

“We had ten girls' teams from Wānaka.”

Anne said the club's girls membership growth can be attributed to the Soccer Sisters programme, which the club instigated along with Southern Football. 

That programme has been running again this month (March 2023), gaining inspiration from the upcoming Women’s Football World Cup being held in New Zealand and Australia from July this year.

The club's senior men’s premier team will be looking to make history and win the Football South Mens Southern Premier League this year. 

The side, coached by former All White Blair Scoullar, finished third last season, the best result for the club.

Senior men’s coach Blair Scoullar.

Their competition begins this weekend (Saturday April 1) with a match against the Northern Hearts Football Club (Timaru) at 2.45pm at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.

Anne said the club is well supported by the Ole Football Academy which is in its third year and has 100 players in programmes developing a pathway from junior to senior competition.

Academy coach Thomas Van Hees brings a wealth of knowledge and commitment, working closely with Blair on player development, Anne said.

The club’s junior teams kick off on Sunday, April 23 with teams from U6 to U17 taking the field in their respective competitions.

Anne said the club is grateful for the support it receives from the community acknowledging Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka, Ray White Wānaka and main kit sponsors Spytower.

Find out more about WAFC here and on its Facebook page.

PHOTOS: Supplied