Page 392 - NUAFC EBook

2012 - Field Renaming - Templeton Field

Maxine Williams (Club President), Audrey Harron (nee Templeton) and Rachael Hancock present at the unveiling of the plaque that renamed
Centennial Park’s #1 pitch as Templeton Field on the 28th of July 2012, as a memorial to club founder Joe Templeton.
Letter to the Ngaruawahia Borough Council facilitating the upgrade of the fields. The building of a
This is an exploratory enquiry regarding the steps clubrooms, the council adding changing and toilet facilities
to be taken in the possible renaming of a public park. and the preparation and upgrading and fencing of the No.1
At the Annual General Meeting of the pitch has been a part of the scheme.
Ngaruawahia United Association Football Club to be held Over the past few years we have hosted
at the end of October a motion will be put about international teams as well as New Zealand provincial sides
approaching the Council with respect to renaming all or (Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Auckland) in regular
part of Ngaruawahia’s Centennial Park. competition. With the current upgrade in progress we will
Two alternatives will be placed before the have the best footballing surface in the Waikato, only
membership – matched by Hamilton’s Seddon Park (cricket) and the
1. That the Council be approached with respect to the Hamilton Stadium (Rugby). This will ensure top-line teams
renaming of Centennial Park to Templeton Park. from around New Zealand will return to Ngaruawahia to
2. That the Council be approached with respect to the play.
renaming of Centennial Park No.1 pitch, adjacent to The legacy of Mr Joe Templeton (now deceased) is
Kiatoa Road, to Templeton Field. very real and alive and we wish it to be more prominent by
Rationale affixing his name to the realisation of his dream.
Mr Joe Templeton was the force in re-establishing The Council plans to hand back to Ngaruawahia
football in our town, following a brief presence of the code United the upgraded field in April 2012 and we would like
in 1921-1922. Club football was started in 1968 with the that to combine with the official renaming of the field/pitch.
first matches played in 1969 at the local High School before The only occurrence of a “Templeton Park” in New
being given permission by the then Ngaruawahia Borough Zealand that we can ascertain is that of a housing
Council to make use of Centennial Park, previously a development in the South Island, whereas there are at least
cricket pitch. eight Centennial Parks, the closest being in Te Kuiti.
The club has done much, along with the council, in We look forward to your response.

Steve Morrison - My Experience in New Zealand

I have been in New Zealand for four months now Next year I would like to think that with a fully fit
and in that time I have met some great friends and I have squad, we can aim for promotion. Keeping players like
experienced many parts of what is a beautiful country. Matty, L.J and Jason will be very important to achieve our
Football (soccer) in New Zealand wasn’t as big as goals. Lets also hope that the younger players such as
I thought it was going to be, but with having said that, Herve, Boo Boo, Shane and Jama heave learnt and
from what I have seen from my time so far, it is definitely experienced what playing in the 1st team is all about.
heading in the right direction. I see potential in a lot of our younger players and
Ngaruawahia F.C., try to involve the youngsters in with the right guidance and coaching they can transform
the 1st team which allows them to learn off the more from a good player into a great one.
experienced players. I think it is so important to have a We are hoping for a win today (against Metro)
great foundation for the club to move forward. which would see us avoid relegation. It will be a tough
My season so far had been cut short due to injury battle against Metro but we know what we have to do to
against Metro the last time around. The few games I did avoid defeat like last time.
play for Nara’s I thoroughly enjoyed. My role since injury Finally a big thank you to everyone involved in the
has been to help younger players develop their game and club this season for there great hospitality throughout my
pass on my experiences that I have been fortunate enough injury. I would also like to thank the fans for their support
to go through whilst playing professionally in England. this year at the home and away games!!
Ngaruawahia’s plans for an academy to be put in I will look forward to taking the field next year.
place next season is really exciting and a great chance for
the younger kids to become better players. It shows great [The result against Metro was a 4-0 win]
intention and I know that the club has the right people
involved to be successful.

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