The Auckland Football Federation won overall honours for the second straight year at the National Age Group tournament held in Napier this week.
The six Auckland age-group sides competed at the annual tournament over five days from Sunday until Thursday against the six other district federations which make up New Zealand Football.
With each team accumulating points for the finishing position in their respective age-groups, Auckland was again crowned overall champions - a single point ahead of United Soccer 1.
Auckland Football Federation Director of Football Sean Douglas is understandably pleased with both the individual and team results of the tournament.
"Given that the true measure of our success will be how many players we get into future New Zealand age-group and senior sides, it was pleasing to see our teams playing the passing style of football that will help them achieve those goals," Douglas said.
"Of course, it's also pleasing to retain the tournament trophy we won last year while seeing some of our players individually honoured."
The Auckland under-15 boys, coached by Jose Figueira and Rob Duggan won their age-group, sealing victory with a 2-0 win over United Soccer 1 on the final day.
Andrew Milne scored both goals for Auckland, taking his tournament total to six, which gave the Central United youngster the golden boot for his age-group.
The success of the team also meant Thomas Spragg was able to earn individual plaudits for his efforts in Napier with the Central United player earning the MVP award for both his age-group as well as the overall tournament outstanding player honour.
Andrew Clay's under-16 girls side also won their category with a final day victory over United Soccer 1. A 3-0 win with goals to Western Springs trio Rosie White, Clara-Jane Follas and Jessica Rollings securing the title.
White finished the event with five goals, joint top scorer with United Soccer 1's Caitlin Campbell and Waikato/BOP's Kerri Gerrits.
The Western Springs flyer also claimed the MVP honours for her age-group.
Elsewhere, the 14th grade boys - coached by Steve Withers and Matt Frost - finished their tournament with a tight 1-0 defeat by United Soccer 1.
The Auckland team finished in second place in their category with three wins, two draws and just one loss from their six matches.
The 14th grade girls, coached by Mike Stephens, ended their tournament with a 1-0 loss to United Soccer 1.
Entering the last day having won all their matches, the 13th grade boys side - coached by Simon Richards and Chris Turner - completed their strong week with an entertaining and close-fought 2-1 loss to a strong United Soccer 1 side.
After falling behind to an early United Soccer 1 penalty, Three Kings United's Stephen Carmichael levelled for Auckland with his ninth goal of the tournament before United Soccer 1 took the win with a second half goal.
Carmichael and Clendon United's Timothy Payne finished joint-top goalscorers in their grade with nine each. The pair scored 18 of the team's 23 goals in their five wins and one loss.
The 13th grade girls bowed out with a tough 4-0 loss to age-group winners United Soccer 1.
The Auckland team, coached by Andrew Kirk and Jenny Nourish, were unlucky to have a goal disallowed and a penalty saved by the United Soccer 1 goalkeeper.
The Auckland girls, who played some lovely football throughout the week, finished the tournament in fourth place in their age group with two wins, a draw and two losses from their five games.
Click here for tournament results and final standings (NZ Football).
Related links:
- Day 4 summary
- Day 3 summary
- Day 2 summary
- Day 1 summary
