
On The Up: Former age-grade New Zealand cricket rep's rapid rise to football's National League
When Christian Leopard emailed Napier City Rovers to see if any social teams needed an extra player, he couldn't have imagined the rapid trajectory his football career was about to go on.
Leopard emailed the club – who host the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in second-round Chatham Cup action on Sunday

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Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
Kilkolly Ready For City's Global Challenge
Press Release – Auckland City FC PHILADELPHIA, USA – As Auckland City Football Club prepares to face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors on its historic FIFA Club World Cup ™ journey in the United States, one name stands out among the ranks, Angus Kilkolly, the club's tireless frontman and instinctive finisher. Since joining the club in 2021, Kilkolly has carved out a legacy, becoming Auckland City's third-highest all-time scorer with an impressive 71 goals in 138 games. His hold-up play, off-ball movement, and knack for finding the net in tight spaces make him one of the most reliable forwards in domestic football. But for Kilkolly, it's more than just goals, it's about etching his name into the club's rich history. 'You look around in the club room and see photos of all the previous winners, and you kind of want to put yourself in that history,' Kilkolly reflects. 'When people come through in 20 years and look at the photos, you want to be part of that story.' His passion for football is matched only by his love for Auckland itself. Once an outsider to the city, he quickly fell for its stunning beaches, vibrant bays, and welcoming community—an ideal place to settle. 'Auckland has a reputation, but once you're here, you realise how great it is,' he says. As Kilkolly and his teammates set their sights on the global stage, the striker understands the significance of representing New Zealand against the world's best. 'It's still surreal that we'll be playing on the biggest stage against some of the biggest stars,' he admits. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to express ourselves and show our personalities.' With Auckland City FC ready to take on international giants, and Kilkolly leading the charge, the club's quest for glory is more than just a challenge, it's an opportunity to showcase the spirit of Auckland and its footballing passion to the world. ABOUT AUCKLAND CITY FC: Auckland City FC plays in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League from its whenua at Kiwitea Street in Sandringham, Auckland and was founded in 2004.


Scoop
17 hours ago
- Scoop
Kilkolly Ready For City's Global Challenge
PHILADELPHIA, USA - As Auckland City Football Club prepares to face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors on its historic FIFA Club World Cup ™ journey in the United States, one name stands out among the ranks, Angus Kilkolly, the club's tireless frontman and instinctive finisher. Since joining the club in 2021, Kilkolly has carved out a legacy, becoming Auckland City's third-highest all-time scorer with an impressive 71 goals in 138 games. His hold-up play, off-ball movement, and knack for finding the net in tight spaces make him one of the most reliable forwards in domestic football. But for Kilkolly, it's more than just goals, it's about etching his name into the club's rich history. 'You look around in the club room and see photos of all the previous winners, and you kind of want to put yourself in that history,' Kilkolly reflects. 'When people come through in 20 years and look at the photos, you want to be part of that story.' His passion for football is matched only by his love for Auckland itself. Once an outsider to the city, he quickly fell for its stunning beaches, vibrant bays, and welcoming community—an ideal place to settle. 'Auckland has a reputation, but once you're here, you realise how great it is,' he says. As Kilkolly and his teammates set their sights on the global stage, the striker understands the significance of representing New Zealand against the world's best. 'It's still surreal that we'll be playing on the biggest stage against some of the biggest stars,' he admits. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to express ourselves and show our personalities.' With Auckland City FC ready to take on international giants, and Kilkolly leading the charge, the club's quest for glory is more than just a challenge, it's an opportunity to showcase the spirit of Auckland and its footballing passion to the world. ABOUT AUCKLAND CITY FC: Auckland City FC plays in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League from its whenua at Kiwitea Street in Sandringham, Auckland and was founded in 2004.


Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Royals blow away competition
Round two of the Kate Sheppard Cup and Chatham Cup saw local teams meet each other. Both Dunedin City Royals' games were scheduled for Tahuna Park, but were moved to Logan Park due to the strong winds blowing the goals away. The Royals women did not let it disrupt them going 4-0 up at halftime against Roslyn Wakari thanks to braces to both Kylie Jones and Raegan Potter. After Roslyn's Morgan MacCormick pulled one back with 25 minutes to go, Jones claimed her hat-trick in the 77th minute to record a 5-1 win. Otago University were also too strong for Northern in the other Kate Sheppard Cup game, winning 5-0. Playing into a very strong wind, they took a 19th-minute lead through Aynsley Martin. Northern looked to defend deep to frustrate the students, but after the break, and with the wind at their backs, University doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Martin got her second. It was 4-0 on 72 minutes when Leila Hausia-Haugen scored two screamers within four minutes that gave keeper Katie Williamson no chance. Georgia Nixon calmly slotted the fifth in the 86th minute. In the men's Chatham Cup, Northern travelled to Invercargill and beat Queens Park 5-1, Rory Hibbert scoring four goals. His first came after 12 minutes on the edge of the box — he turned his marker and made no mistake. His second three minutes later from his own half, played a one-two, cut inside his man and keeper Mitchell Fowler could not stop it. Northern made all the early running and Nicholas Brett scored from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 after only 18 minutes. Queens Park pulled one back after 22 minutes when a diagonal ball cut out Northern's defence for Calem Castle to run on and slot home. In torrential rain and howling winds Hibbert scored his hat-trick on the hour mark when Northern regained possession, catching Queens Park upfield and Hibbert was afforded a couple of metres' space in the box. The final goal came four minutes from time when again Northern regained possession and a quick recycle saw Hibbert score from inside the box. There was another hat-trick in the Green Island v Wānaka match at Sunnyvale, Wānaka's Alex Plimmer getting all three in the Central Otago side's 3-0 win. It was 2-0 after 22 minutes and his third on 73 minutes allowed coach Ben Sippola to make a triple substitution including Plimmer himself. University also scored two early goals at the Turf against Timaru's Northern Hearts thanks to Ashton Hudson's 11th minute opener and Skipper Flynn Crocker's 20th minute goal. They finished with a 2-1 victory. It looked like they would blow Hearts away similar to their 9-1 win in the league earlier in the month. Hearts regrouped, grew into the game and, as it approached the final moments, Bailey Chambers pulled one back in the 90th minute. But the students held on to progress to the third round where they will be joined by the Royals, who were too strong for Mosgiel winning 5-1. The Royals got off to a great start after only six minutes with Jack Julian's surging run leaving defenders in his wake. He picked his spot and gave keeper Callum Roberson no chance. Playing into a strong wind, Mosgiel were constantly pegged back with the Royals dominating. A few minutes before halftime it looked like the Plainsmen would only be one down at the break, but the Royals had other ideas scoring three goals in the last seven minutes of the half. Centre back Ben Campbell's strong run down the right-hand wing, and subsequent cross, allowed Brady Jacobs to score from close range on 38 minutes. Then Campbell himself headed home from a corner on 44 minutes and Hugh Jack rifled home right on halftime to give the Royals a 4-0 lead. Jacobs made it 5-0 on 52 minutes. Mosgiel's Harvey Stephens rifled in a consolation goal in the third minute of injury time. — Neville Watson