Page 260 - NUAFC EBook

WAIKATO FC –- and Robinson appears to be a savvy signing.
BOASTS TWO NGARUAWAHIA PLAYERS Waita, who has scored 10 times for his country, is
currently playing for Ngaruawahia in the northern league
Waikato FC will have a distinct international second division and his wife is attending Waikato
flavour in the coming national soccer league despite the University.
franchise saying it wanted to be a local based side as much She'll be at university for two years and Waikato
as possible. FC hope Waita will be part of their squad for that time.
Already boasting English coaches in Dave Robinson is the Gisborne City keeper in the central
Edmondson and Ray Pooley and new signing Matt Butler, league premier division where the side are leading the table.
Waikato FC added two more foreign players to the list Robinson has kept nine clean sheets in 18 games and only
yesterday. leaked 11 goals.
Waikato FC said they had signed 30-cap Solomon He came to Gisborne City on loan from Nationwide
Island international striker Stanley Waita and English-born Conference League side Burton Albion through a
goalkeeper Dan Robinson who has played for Blackpool connection with ex-All Whites coach Kevin Fallon and is
and Burton Albion. now their academy director. During his four seasons
The signings bring Waikato FC's current squad to with Burton Albion, Robinson was coached by former
12 with Matt Williams, Paul Caton, Stu Wilson, Nathan Nottingham Forest and England player Nigel Clough and
Holten, Nils Reardon, Butler, Michael Mayne, Shane the side gained promotion to the Conference League.
Hooks, David Samson and Aaron Scott already committing As a schoolboy he played for Derby County before
to the franchise. Once Edmondson and Pooley signing as a 17-year-old with Blackpool where he played at
were announced as Declan Edge's and James Pamment's youth and reserve team level.
replacements, Waikato FC said they wanted to sign local He plans to settle permanently in New Zealand.
players wherever possible. Waikato FC finished second-to-last in last season's
However, in their defence, Waita is a sort of local national league after placing third in 2004-05. The 2006-07
and there is a major shortage of Waikato-based goalkeepers league starts in October.

Rear: Thomas Weake, Daryl Mathews, Scott Sander, Justin Sonnenberg, Stephen Kapa.
Front: Benjamin Weake, Tegan Macnab, Alexandra Bryant, Robert Wills, Michael Sander, Philip Holmes, Morgan Tapper,
Heath Douglas-Monks, Gerrit Sonnenberg.
Absent: Thomas Tairakena.
Preliminary Round Winners

Game Photos
July 22 - 11th Grade Cobras
July 29 - 11th Grade Cobras
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