WaiBOP United’s youth team opens their ASB Youth League campaign with a home match against Hawke’s Bay United at the Matamata Domain on Saturday January 11.
The side is shaping up nicely under the coaching of Paul Drake and Paul Probert and had a solid pre-season prior to the Christmas break. Drake is happy with the squad of players he has to work with and is looking forward to the start of the season. “I’m glad the season is finally about to get underway,” he said. “You can train and play as many friendlies as you like, but there’s nothing like a proper match day, whether you’re a coach or player.”
The youth team is an important part of the WaiBOP United set-up, as Drake is acutely aware. “We’ve got some good young players here. Many of them will be looking to be first team players in the next few years, but now is the time for them to prove themselves at this level,” explained Drake. “WaiBOP United is so new and if we’re to develop as a club we need to produce our own talent. The youth team is vital so both the coaching staff and the players have an important job tomorrow.”
The match kicks off at 2pm.
