East Coast Bays Association Football Club

Alec Solomons has recovered from his injury and has been included in the Junior All Whites squad for the Under 20 World Cup to be played in Turkey in June. Currently making his comeback after injury with the Development Team, Alec will be off in a couple of weeks as the squad plays warm up games in early June before starting their World Cup campaign against Uzbekistan on 23 June.

There are three players from East Coast Bays in the Wynrs team that has travelled to Turkey to take part in the One Nations Cup. Sam Hewetson, Kyle Lockhead and Braeden Acarapi were invited to travel with the Wynrs side and are currently enjoying playing in an international competition. Here are some of their highlights to date:

Subject: Turkey tour day 4 - match day 2

Hi guys

One Nation Cup group stage – match day 2

WYNRS 0 – 2 Werder Bremen (Germany)

The WYNRS boys have gone down fighting today to German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen in a tough, physical hard fought encounter in Izmir.

The German side is a big strong, powerful team and at the end of the day the boys gave their all but were overpowered by a committed Bremen outfit.

Bremen enjoyed the majority of possession and territory in the first half but a disciplined team performance off the ball by the WYNRS boys meant that clear cut chances were very few and far between in a tight first period. Bremen took their best chance mid way through the first half when a misplaced clearance fell to one of their attacking players and he made no mistake in firing home from around the penalty spot. The chances for the WYNRS side were restricted to moves on the counter attack where Justin Bailey and Liam Jordan looked dangerous on a couple of occasions.

Similar to the day before the second half showing from our side was much improved from the first half and the players really grew into the game as they looked to press for the equalising goal. Discipline and patience out of possession meant that the German side hardly created a chance in the second half as the team held a much better shape and did not allow the German side to play the game in our half as we did in the first period.

The players just couldn’t find their rhythm however as the game became very keenly contested in the second half with neither side willing to give an inch. Once again we faced the same referee as the day before who seems at his happiest when blowing his whistle! This meant that the game could not find a real flow or pattern unfortunately and this did not help the game as both sets of players and staff became frustrated and it took its toll on the match.

At 1 nil down Liam Jordan thumped a trade mark free kick towards the far top corner of the Bremen goal but somehow the goalkeeper dived at full stretch and managed to tip it over the bar – a fantastic save off an effort that looked in for all money!

Shortly after a soft second goal for the German side killed the game off with only 5 minutes to play but to the players credit they stepped their effort up another notch once again but another chance did not arrive.

A disappointing result but an invaluable experience in a game that threw all sorts of challenges and pressures at the players.

A result against the South African side tomorrow will mean we qualify for the semi finals and after what happened today the boys are really hungry for another shot at Bremen hopefully in the final if all goes to plan!

This afternoon the boys have visited a school in Izmir and spent time with the students – a cultural exchange that everyone has enjoyed

We are very pleased to announce that we have secured a funding opportunity from AirGoal NZ who have pledged to donate $20 for each junior AirGoal that is bought by our club members. These goals are being used by many of NZ's top coaches, academies and clubs not only because they look great but being inflatable are portable, storable and safe.

For a limited time only there is a special 25% discount on ALL of their junior goals. To take advantage of this offer click here and follow instructions. By entering the Promo Code "ECB25" you will be supporting your club with much needed funds that goes toward making East Coast Bays one of the best clubs in the region. We hope you can support this AirGoal initiative which after all is a great product.

The classic ‘Game of Two Halves’ as Bays came back from 2-1 down at half time to overpower Ellerslie and win 4-2 with captain Joe Bresnahan claiming a well-deserved hat trick.

It took a while for some of the players, especially the younger ones, to get used to the artificial pitch and floodlights at Michaels Ave as the ball moves somewhat differently from a grass pitch, but Bays had the first strike on goal with Mikael Munday testing Ellerslie’s keeper Sean Dowling.

Some of the Ellerslie tackling was a little reckless and in the 14th minute Bresnahan was upended in the box. He took the penalty himself to give Bays the lead.

This setback seemed to inspire Ellerslie, who came surging back and Emmanuel Darkwa did well to foil Will Roper as he bore down on goal. Dave Ellensohn cleared the corner but Ellerslie returned on attack and Kris Carpenter blocked Roper’s attempt at the expense of another corner. An inswinger found Eddie Sillars, his header was too much for Ellensohn and Ellerslie were level.

Set piece plays are worked on hard at training but don’t always pay the dividends they did against Manurewa where four of the six goals that Bays scored came from corners, free kicks and long throws.

After a week of heavy rain, the day was fine and crisp, perfect conditions for playing football and the pitch was in pristine condition. Manurewa belied their lowly league placing with a series of early attacks with Hickham Kamri prominent, forcing Dave Ellensohn and the defence to get involved in the game quickly and effectively to keep the visitors out.

Having weathered the early storm, Bays got back into the game and started to pressure the Manurewa defence. Luiz Del Monte was blocked and Mikael Munday was frustrated twice. At the other end, Kieran Nevey was just over with an attempt on goal.

It took a little over half an hour for the deadlock to be broken. A long throw from Brock Messenger was not dealt with by the Manurewa defence and Munday scrambled the ball home on the second attempt to give Bays the lead.

Heroic goalkeeping from both custodians kept the score down as the rain fell incessantly throughout the game. However the Bays City Park pitch held up and the game was played in full unlike many others throughout the Auckland region who succumbed to the weather.

Bays gave away an early free kick and Dave Ellensohn reacted smartly to save Paul Urlovic’s shot. At the other end, Central keeper, Blaz Bugarin pulled off the first of many fine saves to deny Luiz Del Monte.

Eric Jones Seekie put Emmanuel Darkwa through down the right but a poor cross spoiled the move.

A Central break on the seventeenth minute saw Paul Rhodes one on one with Ellensohn, but the keeper pulled off a great save to deny what should have been the opening goal.

A strong wind whipping diagonally across the ground didn’t help the players who put on a sub-par display against Onehunga Sports who appeared the more motivated of the two sides.

The first quarter hour saw play drift back and forth in midfield with both sides failing to make any headway. Bays made the first good move when a great pass from Kelly Escolme split the Onehunga defence but Nathan Buswell couldn’t control the ball and the chance went begging.

Darren Bazeley and Willy Gerdsen's U17 Team have made it to the World Cup. They went through unbeaten in the tournament in Vanuatu and will now go to the United Arab Emirates for the finals in October.
Congratulations to all involved

Heavy rain before kickoff left Porritt Stadium sodden and waterlogged making play difficult with the ball stopping on the surface water, becoming hard to control and frustrating players from both sides.

Bays had an early chance when Luiz Del Monte put Joe Bresnahan through but his shot was held up making an easy save for the keeper. Kelly Escolme got through minutes later but also couldn’t beat the keeper.

An awesome start to the season with the team travelling to the Hamilton tournament and battling it out with some familiar rivals. A strong start to the day with a 0-0 draw with Manurewa Lightning, 0-0 draw with Central, 2-1 win over Glenview and 7-0 win over Hamilton. The efforts left us 2nd in our pool sending us to the Championship playoffs. Semi final ended in a 0-0 draw against Western United with Jake stepping forward with his goal keeping skills to help the boys win a penalty shootout. A exciting final against Manurewa Lightning, Lightning scoring in the last 5 minutes to win 1-0. A brilliant game with great football and sportsmanship shown in both sides. Great effort Team Georgiou.

East Coast Bays had trouble throughout the game defending corners and it was a stoppage time header by Stuart Hogg from a Jack Hobson-McVeigh corner that proved decisive giving the visitors a 2-1 victory and spoiling Bays early run in the league.

It had been a few years since both teams were in the same league and there was a good crowd for the only local derby that North Harbor teams would participate in.

Birkenhead had the first strike in anger with David Ellensohn comfortably handling James Lawson’s effort. At the other end Nathan Buswell was foiled by a timely intervention from Sam Jasper and Buswell saw a second chance go just wide of the upright.

Bays opened the 2013 season with a 4-2 win over reigning champions Bay Olympic in a cracking game at Olympic Park.
The early minutes saw both sides checking each other out with attack and counter as the game flowed back and forth.
Olympic’s Ken Yamamoto had the first strike in anger but his 11th minute attempt blazed over the crossbar.
Five minutes later a Jason McKeown cross to Nathan Buswell saw Olympic’s keeper Roy Bell get a hand to the ball seconds before it reached Buswell.

The attached pdf file explains Auckland Council's reactions to the drought conditions that are affecting sports field throughout the region. They are endeavoring to get as many grounds ready as possible for the season opening but we do need sufficient rain to help the grounds. Download the pdf by clicking on to it and have a good read.

The follow Grades are closed

Grade 9
Grade 11
Grade 12
Grade 13
Grade 15
Grade 9 - 13 Girls

Any players interested in playing in this Metro League please contact Nichola.ecbafc@gmail.com or phone on 021 263 2212.

*** NEWSFLASH ***
Football Tours Worldwide for East Coast Bays AFC including FIFA World Cup in Brazil
AMsportstours NZAUS Ltd, in association with East Coast Bays Assn Football Club,is providing customised worldwide football tour opportunities for all ages, abilities, individuals and teams.
Whether you are an elite player, parent with young children or an Over 35's social team, we customise tours to meet your requirements. We will manage the whole process and provide AMsportstours staff 24/7 on your tour, ensuring you have an excellent football experience.

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Congratulations to the boys who have made the Northern Football Federation U13 training squad, the Waitakere, North Harbour and Harbour squads combined into one. Players selected were Mike Landeg, Trent Baker, Luke Clark, Bailey Moffitt, Bradley Ward, Samuel Hewetson, and new players to the club Eden Cauldwell, Ihaia Delaney, Patrick Hoey, Josh Jones and Callum McCowatt.

*** NEWSFLASH ***
NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL QUALITY MARK FOR EAST COAST BAYS AFC

East Coast Bays Assn Football Club have been successful in being the first club in New Zealand to be issued a Quality Mark by New Zealand Football. The plaque was presented
to the club on the night of their 2012 Prizegiving, 15 September 2012, by CEO Grant McKavanagh and Programme Standards Manager Dwayne Woollams from New Zealand Football.

The major areas of focus for the review covered Administration, Governance and Management, Planning, Financial, Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities. Football matters covered Player Development, Coach Development, Girls and Women’s Development, Referee Development and Futsal Development. This transparent, systematic approach will ensure that the football community can easily identify those clubs that are well run and promote a positive environment where everyone can safely enjoy the activities and facilities offered.

Willy Gerdsen has been appointed Assistant Coach for the New Zealand Under 17 campaign

Little Kickers on the Shore

 

East Coast Bays AFC are pleased to announce a partnership with Little Kickers – a leading global provider of football coaching and play, which have recently set up  on Auckland’s North Shore.

 

East Coast Bays will be working alongside Little Kickers to develop and nurture footballing talent with a key focus on preschool children. This partnership will enable children to have a defined pathway into football and Little Kickers will be working closely with ECB coaching teams to develop and grow the game locally.

 

Little Kickers sessions introduce football to children aged 18 months to 7 years. It is the largest provider of pre-school football sessions in the UK and has been successfully franchised out and now found in Canada, Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Ireland and last year the brand was brought to New Zealand.

 

The program was developed by UKFA qualified coaches and early childhood educators. It works on the basis that children are much more likely to learn and have fun if their imaginations are engaged and skills are introduced through games rather than formal drills. The company motto, ‘Play not Push’ reflects this. Sessions for under 5’s are held indoors (or if space allows outside in summer) and 5-7 years offer a mix of indoor and outdoor.

East Coast Bays Assn Football Club have pleasure in announcing the appointment of two Life Members, Rod Grove and Colin Downs.

For those that don’t know Rod Grove he began his involvement with East Coast Bays Association Football Club as a five year old playing midget football down at the previous home of East Coast Bays at Mairangi Bay Park.   Rod continued playing for East Coast Bays through the grades making his debut for the premier team at the age of 16.   He continued playing with the premier team until he went away to study for a Physical Education Degree at Otago University.   During this time he played National League football for Dunedin City and represented Otago.   On his return from his studies Rod played and captained the Central Assn Football Club premier team in the National League for a number of years before coming back “home” to play for East Coast Bays.   Rod was fortunate enough to keep playing and captaining the East Coast Bays Premier team to the age of 36.

 

On retiring from playing Rod embarked upon his coaching and administration career.   He teamed up with Willy Gerdsen and together they enjoyed many successes over the last six years, including winning the US1 Premier Championship in 2008 and 2009, winning the NRFL Premiership 2010, winning the U19 Nationals 2005 and 2009, winning the U17 championship 2011. Rod also served on the Control Board during 2010.    However, Rod regards the highlight of his coaching career to be the Chatham Cup success in 2008 and he hopes to replicate this feat in the near future.

 

As you can see from the above Rod was a very worthy Life Membership candidate.