ASB PREMIERSHIP - NEW ZEALAND

  

WaiBOP United is pleased to announce that Mark Jones has signed for a third ASB Premiership season with WaiBOP United.

Jones, with 29 WaiBOP United games under his belt during the previous two summers, has made the most ASB Premiership appearances for the franchise, and signs after a stellar winter season for Hamilton Wanderers. Scoring fifteen goals from midfield, Jones has been one of the catalysts behind Wanderers’ rise to second in the Northern Regional Football League Premier Division.

Signing on for another summer was a natural move, explained Jones. “We had a good group last season and came so close to making the play-offs, which isn’t something a team from this region has done for a while. I hope I can play a part in helping us take that extra step in what’s shaping up to be a strong league.”

Jones has a wry smile when asked how it feels to be considered a senior player. “I guess that’s right because I’ve been around for a while, but that status also comes with a bit of responsibility and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ll just go out there and do my thing and look to help the team win games. We all need to be leaders if we’re going to be successful against the likes of Auckland City and Team Wellington.”

Several fond memories come to mind for Jones when he looks back to the 2014/15 ASB Premiership. “The home wins over Canterbury and Wellington were excellent, not only for the results but also for the support we had from the fans,” recalls Jones. “That Canterbury game was crazy. To come from behind three times [Jones scored the third equaliser] then win in added time…

“Hopefully we’ll have a bit more of that this summer, although it might not be ideal for Peter’s heart rate. I can’t wait to play on FMG Stadium Waikato, as well as run out in an ASB Premiership match in Taupo.”

Jones is a Taupo lad, having attended school in the central North Island town, and began his senior football career at Taupo AFC.

WaiBOP United Head Coach, Peter Smith, is delighted with the signing of Jones, saying that his consistency in previous seasons helped make him one of the team’s best performers. “Mark has played exceptionally well for us in previous seasons and was arguably our most consistent performer, week in, week out, last summer,” said Smith. “He has backed that up with a fantastic season for Wanderers. Mark is maturing into a top class player who can cause other teams problems and win you games. That’s what we’ll be looking for from him this season.”

Further player signings will be announced in due course.

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CUP FINALS SET FOR AUCKANDLAND

The showpiece matches of the New Zealand winter football calendar will take place in Auckland in September with the ASB Chatham Cup and ASB Women’s Knockout Cup finals confirmed on Tuesday.

Both finals of the national knockout club football competitions will be held at The Trusts Arena in Henderson on Sunday 20 September.

Massey University from Palmerston North will meet defending champions Glenfield Rovers in the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup Final at 11am before Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs AFC face Napier City Rovers in the 87th ASB Chatham Cup Final at 2.30pm.

New Zealand Football Community Director Cameron Mitchell says securing The Trusts Arena reflects the status of the ASB Cup Finals.

“These finals are the top level of matches in our domestic winter calendar and we’re delighted to have secured a venue worthy of hosting the occasion,” Mitchell said.

“Three of the four semi-finals for both competitions were held in Auckland and all three games were very well supported by the football community and we’re looking forward to an even stronger turnout for the two finals.”

Defending ASB Women’s KO Cup champions Glenfield Rovers are in the final. Photo by www.photosport.co.nz

For fans unable to get to Auckland for the cup double header, both matches will also be streamed live online, produced by N-Tech through its i-Film streaming service; something which New Zealand Football Commercial Director Steve Brebner says is a key feature of the ASB Cup Finals day.

“For those who can’t make their way to The Trusts Stadium in person, the streaming coverage will ensure everyone connected to the football community can see the action,” Brebner said.

“Through N-Tech’s high quality streaming service, we are able to give people the chance to experience the top level of winter football from anywhere as we continue to raise the profile of the game in New Zealand.”

Tickets for both ASB Cup Finals will be available from the gate on September 20 at $10 per adult with children under 16 free.

ASB Women’s Knockout Cup Final 
Massey University v Glenfield Rovers
Sunday 20 September, 11am (gates open 10.30am)
The Trusts Arena, Henderson

ASB Chatham Cup Final 
Eastern Suburbs AFC v Napier City Rovers
Sunday 20 September, 2.30pm
The Trusts Arena, Henderson