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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Road trip heartbreak: Why Napier City Rovers' National League dream is slipping away
The Bill Robertson-coached team have the potential to do the first part of that equation. Striker Eric Kostandini Ziu (right) celebrates his early goal. Photo / Neil Reid But the chances of Western Suburbs dropping their last two matches are highly unlikely. Napier City Rovers were the only non-metropolitan based club who had qualified for the National League in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2023 and 2024, the nine other clubs came solely from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. In 2022, Hamilton's Melville Rovers was also in the league. Napier City Rovers striker Eric Kostandini Ziu tries to make his way through the opposition defence. Photo / Neil Reid But this year, it looks like the top tier of New Zealand domestic football will solely feature sides from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It's a bitter blow for Napier City Rovers, with qualifying again for the National League being one of the key goals for the side in 2025. The pain of what not making the nation's top league means was evident on Napier City Rovers players' faces as they returned to their changing room at David Farrington Park after Saturday's 3-2 loss. Robertson's team went into the match upbeat, coming off the back of three very impressive league wins over Upper Hutt, Island Bay and Waterside Karori. Mason Johnson – used off the bench by Napier City Rovers on Saturday – tries to slide a shot home. Photo / Neil Reid They had also downed Miramar twice previously in 2025; dual 3-0 wins recorded in an earlier Central League clash at Bluewater Stadium, then a round-three Chatham Cup victory over Miramar in Wellington. And they made a strong start on Saturday, with striker Eric Kostandini Ziu scoring in the opening minutes of the crucial clash from a Sam Lack corner. Another very promising attack just minutes later saw Cameron Emerson brought down inside the penalty box. Cameron Emerson slams to the turf after being fouled inside the penalty area. Photo / Neil Reid But instead of Napier City Rovers being awarded a penalty – with replays later confirming the foul occurred inside the penalty box – they were given a free kick just outside the area that they couldn't convert into a goal. It was the start of an abbreviated and frustrating afternoon for the hard-working Emerson. Sam Lack (second from right) tries to win possession for Napier City Rovers in their 3-2 Central League loss to Miramar Rangers. Photo / Neil Reid He had returned to the sheds at halftime with his team trailing 2-1 and having received a yellow card shortly before the break. Referee James Berry then handed out a second yellow card to Emerson shortly after the break after the midfielder had slid in to try and tackle an attacker. Emerson was adamant he made no contact with the opponent. The red card to Emerson – who has been one of his side's best players all season – came as the side were trying to get level on the scorecard, having gone into the break after a deflection beat goalkeeper Harry Townsend to give Miramar the lead. Teenaged Napier City Rovers reserve Kees Mackirdy (centre) rises high during a battle for possession. Photo / Neil Reid It was a cruel blow for Townsend, who had been strong in goal in the first half, including a miracle left-handed save from a close-range, goal-bound effort from Miramar. He had then come close to saving the Miramar penalty which levelled the scores. The scoreline in Napier City Rovers' 3-2 Central League loss to Miramar Rangers did not reflect just how well goalkeeper Harry Townsend performed. Photo / Neil Reid Miramar went on to score a third goal in the 65th minute to give them a 3-1 lead, although match footage later showed goalscorer Owen Smith appeared to be offside when the ball was played through to him. Napier City Rovers struck back in the 87th minute – during a period when they showed domination despite being down to 10-men – via Benjamin Stanley. On a day where the ramifications of the final result hugely counted against Napier City Rovers' National League hopes, the continued return of Stanley from a groin injury that sidelined him for the majority of the Central League was a positive. Frustrated looks on the Napier City Rovers bench in the latter stages of their loss to Miramar Rangers. Photo / Neil Reid Napier City Rovers now have this week off as the Chatham Cup semifinals are being played. Their final two Central League see them face Petone FC at Bluewater Stadium on August 24, then Wellington Olympic in the capital on August 30. Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve Episode 6: Capital Punishment Episode 7: Bouncing Back Episode 8: The Centurion Episode 9: The Running Man Episode 10: Family Pride Episode 11: On Target Episode 12: Road Trip Blues Episode 13: A-League Bound
NZ Herald
29-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Game by game: Napier City Rovers' National League hopes rest on four key matches
Robertson said his message over the next month was to 'control what we can control', which meant the next game. 'It's very much a next game approach. So, let's win the next game of football and then at 5'o'clock on Sunday we'll see where we are in the league. 'Then we'll do the same the following week. 'We are very much process-driven around just a game at a time. We performed well the last couple of games and Sunday is another opportunity to pick up three points.' Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says his team have to concentrate on the now as they look to keep the dream alive of qualifying for the National League for the fourth successive season. Photo / Neil Reid Napier City Rovers go into Sunday's key match after having a week off having not qualified for the quarter-finals of the Chatham Cup. Prior to the weekend away from the pitch, they had posted back-to-back wins over Upper Hutt City Football (5-0) and Island Bay (4-1). Robertson said he had 'mixed' feelings about having a full week off. 'Off the back of a good win, it would have been nice to have another game to get straight into. 'I think the players would have preferred to have kept playing. 'That being said, it was a good opportunity to have a mental refresh and give a few of the boys with niggles the weekend off. They've come back into training this week with a real focus.' That training group has been minus captain Jim Hoyle and striker Jordan Annear. Hoyle, who has again been consistently one of his side's best in 2025, will miss the next four matches while he is honeymooning in Europe. English striker Jordan Annear signed off his year-long stint at Napier City Rovers with a goal against Island Bay earlier two weeks ago. Photo / Neil Reid Annear ended his 12-month stint with Napier City Rovers in the 4-1 win over Island Bay, with the popular Englishman scoring in his final match before returning to the UK to live. Robertson said while their presence would be missed, the benefit of having a 'competitive squad' meant those who would take their places would do the job. 'It's been difficult for me to select teams every week, which is a good problem to have. 'I'm confident that those players that are coming in will perform well. They've had opportunities at certain times of the season and performed well. and throughout the year they've trained at a good level too.' Mid-season Napier City Rovers recruits Jake Williams (left) Eric Kostandini Ziu (second from left) have looked at home since joining the club. Photo / Neil Reid Two recent recruits will also be keen to continue their impressive form since being signed by Napier City Rovers in June. Italian-born Kiwi striker Eric Kostandini Ziu has been a regular goal scorer since arriving after a stint playing in Australia. Midfielder Jake Williams – a former New Zealand Under-17 international rep – joined the club after four years studying and playing in America. 'They've settled in well, added competition for places and they've got some good attributes,' Robertson said. Napier City Rovers players Sam Lack, centre, and Jake Williams prepare pre-match on Bluewater Stadium's grass. Photo / Neil Reid 'Eric has come in and scored a few goals. 'Jake has added competition for places in the midfield and I thought he had a really good performance against Island Bay. 'They're definitely two players that have come into the squad and added a lot of value.' Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Napier City Rovers aim for top four as Island Bay fight relegation
'At the bottom of the table, it's really tight,' Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson said. Napier City Rovers players celebrate during their 6-1 win over Island Bay in Wellington earlier in the 2025 Central League. Photo / Neil Reid 'Any of those five teams in the bottom half could still get relegated. 'Obviously, Island Bay have moved quite aggressively and changed their coaches and have got a little bounce with their result against Waterside Karori. I'm sure they'll come to Bluewater Stadium with confidence. 'It won't be an easy game and they're all obviously fighting for their lives down there. 'It will be another difficult game, but we're confident of getting a result and if we perform well again.' Napier City Rovers earlier toppled Island Bay 6-1 on the road in Wellington in round five of the Central League in April. The side's win over Upper Hutt last Saturday was one of their best in front of goal all season. It came six days after Napier City Rovers' 2025 Chatham Cup campaign was halted by a gutting 3-2 loss to 2024 champions Wellington Olympic. Goalscorers against Upper Hutt included Sam Lack, slotting home his 11th goal of the season. Sam Lack was amongst the goals again for Napier City Rovers in their win over Upper Hutt City Football last weekend. Photo / Neil Reid Just as importantly as Napier City Rovers' attack, the side's defence also held firm, with goalkeeper Harry Townsend keeping a clean sheet. 'I was pleased with the performance, the result and it was great to score a few goals,' Robertson said. 'I said to the players beforehand that someone at some stage is going to get a battering really, in terms of goals scored against them ... we've been threatening to do that all season. 'We've been dominant in most games without ... scoring the goals, but on the weekend ... we were good. We were clinical, we finished our opportunities. 'Now we need to repeat that.' Wins are what are needed from Robertson's team as they chase their pre-season goal of qualifying for the National League for a fourth successive season. To qualify, they need a top-four finish. They are currently in fifth place, two points behind fourth-placed Western Suburbs. The run home includes clashes against the second-placed Miramar Rangers and the league leaders, Wellington Olympic. Both of those clashes will entail road trips to Wellington. The final stretch of the Central League campaign will also require some juggling from Robertson, selection-wise. Both midfielder Cameron Emerson and striker Eric Kostandini Ziu have received four yellow cards. A fifth will lead to a one-match suspension. Emerson has consistently been one of Napier City Rovers' best players throughout 2025. Cameron Emerson – who bought up his 100th first-team appearance for Napier City Rovers earlier this year – has been a consistent standout for his side all year. Photo / Neil Reid Ziu has impressed up front since coming into the squad in June after a stint playing in Australia. Three further players are set to miss some of the remaining matches because of overseas travel, including inspirational captain Jim Hoyle, who is heading to Europe for his honeymoon. Another factor to juggle is just who Robertson selects for the four foreign import spots he is allowed in match-day squads; he currently has five English players, meaning one must miss out each week. Some selections in the 2025 Central League run home will be a balancing act for Napier City Rovers head coach Bill Robertson. Photo / Neil Reid Finally, like all other clubs in the Northern, Central and Southern leagues, he has to ensure a minimum of 10% of playing time is given to under-20 players (aged under 20 on January 1 of that season) on the roster. 'Balancing the selection of the squad is tricky at the moment,' Robertson said. 'There are a few players that are going to be unavailable through life basically: personal trips away and family stuff. 'That's just the nature of balancing the squad throughout the season. 'Making sure we're our strongest each game to pick up wins is important and something that I'm considering each game.' Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve Episode 6: Capital Punishment Episode 7: Bouncing Back Episode 8: The Centurion Episode 9: The Running Man Episode 10: Family Pride Episode 11: On Target Episode 12: Road Trip Blues Episode 13: A-League Bound Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Inside the provincial football team taking on and beating cashed-up big city clubs
And they certainly don't have a playing roster featuring some players who are paid enough by their respective football clubs to coach junior players so they can forget about having to do a day job. Napier City Rovers' playing stocks include two painters, two ice truck drivers, a plumber, a builder, an outdoor pursuits trainer, and several teacher aides. What they also have is a record of making the most of what they have and defying the odds in taking on their big-city rivals. Since 2022 – when they ended a 20-year absence from New Zealand Football's (NZF) National League – they have been the only provincial-based club to make the top-tier domestic football competition. From 2022-24, the Jim Hoyle-captained team is one of only five clubs to have made the 10-team league over the three successive seasons. Napier City Rovers head coach Bill Robertson, (left), and the side's goalkeeping coach Kyle Baxter. Photo / Neil Reid The National League during that period has been made up of: the top four finishers in the Northern League; the Wellington Phoenix Reserves and the top three from the Central League; and the Southern League's top two sides. To make Napier City Rovers' achievement even more profound, one of the five other clubs – the Wellington Phoenix Reserves – are guaranteed a National League spot regardless of where they finish in the Central League via their participation agreement with NZF. Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle has had another strong year with the football club he's called home since 2015. Photo / Neil Reid As Napier City Rovers hunt a hoped-for fourth successive qualification to the competition, coach Bill Robertson has opened up on how his side has bucked the otherwise big-city domination of the league spots. 'There's a lot of hard work that goes into our success,' he said. 'There's no stone unturned in terms of how we train, how we prepare for oppositions, and how we travel. Don't forget the amount of travel we have to do. Impressive Napier City Rovers players Cameron Emerson and George Andrew shake hands after their side's Central League win over Miramar Rangers at Bluewater Stadium. Photo / Neil Reid 'We've looked at how we make sure we have the best preparation we can for the players so we're able to get the results on the road.' The travel factor is huge for Napier City Rovers. As the only non-Wellington-based team in the Central League, the side face almost 6000km of mini-van travel to and from away games in the capital every second weekend. Before the 2023 season, the team used to travel both ways on game day to Wellington. For the past two years, the side have driven south the night before game day. The club's investment in hotel accommodation has paid off with consistently strong results on the road. Napier City Rovers' hard work in getting ready for 2025 has included training sessions as dawn breaks in the city. Photo / Neil Reid Using precious dollars wisely is a must at Napier City Rovers. While the history of the club is rich – having previously won five Chatham Cups and four National League titles – financially some of the other teams they face in the Central and National leagues are in a different ballpark. Auckland City pull in around $1 million solely from gaming trusts; a figure further increased by sponsorship deals. Napier City Rovers' entire first-team season budget is less than 10% of the gaming trust sum received by the national champions. NZF regulations cap weekly player payments to $150 a game. But some sides offer their top players high six-figure contracts as youth coaches; some of those deals are also richer than the budget Napier City Rovers' entire side operates with. Napier City Rovers don't complain about the at-times uneven playing field they're faced with. In some ways, it has added to a strong resolve and culture that has grown in strength in recent seasons. That culture is paramount when it comes to Robertson recruiting players from outside the region. The camaraderie and positive culture that has been developed within Napier City Rovers' first team is infectious. Photo / Neil Reid 'We haven't got a huge budget like some other clubs have to sign any player I want. We have to be strategic with our recruitment,' he said. 'We've got a good track record of bringing in good players and, most importantly, good people that buy into what we're trying to achieve here. It's not an easy task, but we've got a model here that seems to be working well for us.' Napier City Rovers hope to take another step towards the hoped-for fourth successive National League qualification on Sunday when they host Wellington team Western Suburbs in round-10 Central League action. Robertson's team go into the match in fourth place, two competition points ahead of their weekend rivals. The coach is after his team to concentrate on their 'processes' rather than the points table; saying if they do that successfully, the results will follow. Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson wants his players to concentrate on their processes, not the Central League points table. Photo / Neil Reid But there's no mistaking the burning desire throughout the coaching, management, and playing group to again reach the National League. 'That would be an incredible achievement,' Robertson said. 'The consistency we've shown to perform at a high level and secure the results we need to qualify for the past three years is fantastic. We're obviously trying to do that again. 'We're in the hunt.' The side's achievements over the past three seasons have helped financially. Billboards of returning and new sponsors surround the playing arena at Bluewater Stadium. Crowds have also been dramatically on the up, especially over the past two seasons. Game day at Bluewater Stadium is now a 'must-do' day out on a Sunday for a growing number of families, including hundreds of kids decked out in Napier City Rovers replica kit. Mason Johnson signing autographs at Bluewater Stadium post-match. Photo / Neil Reid And the scenes that happen post-match at the venue are a throwback to the amateur era of sport in New Zealand, where crowds are welcome to flock on to the pitch and a line of autograph hunters stretching dozens of metres await the players before they can head to the changing rooms. 'We always speak about the players being role models in the region and trying to inspire the future generations of young players,' Robertson said. 'It's absolutely fantastic to see the crowds and the number of kids here that are at games watching. At the end of the game, when you see the kids lining up for autographs with their heroes, it is a really powerful sight.' It was another big crowd that flocked to Bluewater Stadium last Sunday to watch the side claim a deserved 3-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the second round of the knockout Chatham Cup. Sam Lack has been there every step of the way since Napier City Rovers' return to the National League in 2022 and has scored six goals in 10 games in 2025. Photo / Neil Reid The goals came via a double to Jordan Annear, while another from Sam Lack takes his 2025 tally to six from 10 games. Robertson took the chance to rotate his squad. The changes included captain Jim Hoyle, fellow defensive rock Matt Jones and impressive English import Mason Johnson starting the match from the substitutes bench. Striker Jordan Annear - pictured having a break after a training session - was outstanding in Napier City Rovers' Chatham Cup second round win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Photo / Neil Reid In came Annear – later rightly judged man of the match after a storming performance – Kaeden Atkins, and Jack Albertini. Like Annear, Atkins and Albertini also took their chance to remind Robertson of just how well they can contribute. 'The boys that came in did well,' Robertson said. 'There's good depth in the squad and we need that. 'All the other games we've played, aside from the Central League loss to the Wellington Phoenix, we've been very competitive. 'And I think we can improve in the second half of the season which is a positive. There's definitely more to see from us in the second half of the season.' >> Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve Episode 6: Capital Punishment Episode 7: Bouncing back Episode 8: The Centurion Episode 9: The Running Man Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Watch live: The 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
NZ drug markets shift online, Covid-born kids face school challenges, and Trump meets Saudi leaders on visit to Middle East. Reporter Marii is at the World Dance Crew Championships, where hip hop duos from all around the world, including Auckland's En-Locked, are battling for medals and cash. Reporter Marii is at the World Dance Crew Championships, where hip hop duos from all around the world, including Auckland's En-Locked, are battling for medals and cash. Released by second-tier English club Hull City, Mason Johnson has now made Napier City Rovers his home. Video / Neil Reid Police forensics team and detectives continue to comb Onekawa properties in the hunt for Kaea Karauria's killer. Video / Neil Reid National and Labour accuse each other of lying over pay equity claims. Video / Mark Mitchell A trailer unit rolled outside Christchurch this morning, spilling hundreds of chickens across the road. Video / George Heard Principals question $100m maths spend, ex-cop faces porn probe, US and China agree to major tariff reductions. Chris Hipkins delivers pre-Budget speech at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Video / NZ Herald Reporter Carter is in Whangamatā where car collector Billy reveals what it took to get this custom 2-door 1950 Cadillac back on the road. Black Power members perform a farewell haka for Manurewa homicide victim Selwyn Robson. Video / Supplied Education Minister Erica Stanford announcing measures to improve mathematics in schools. Video / Mark Mitchell Christopher Luxon answers a question on the resignation of the Police Deputy Commissioner With the countries current vaccination rates, an expert warns New Zealand is at risk of a measles epidemic. Video / Dean Purcell / Katie Oliver / Ben Dickens
