PLAYER NEWS

Under 19 NZ Triathlon Team - World Champs 2008

Edward Rawles, has recently recieved international recognition - although his fantastic success in gaining an invitation to represent the Under 19 NZ Triathlon Team and compete in the World Championships in Vancouver, Canada later this year will mean that he will be unavailable for all soccer this season. He is required to attend a series of training camps, including a months "build up" camp in Queensland, Australia in April. FDMC Soccer wishes Edward all the very best in his new pursuits and we are extremely proud of his recent achievements, even though he will be sorely missed on the soccer field this season. Edward was one of the stand out players throughout a very successfull season in 2007 and he played an integral part in the teams success.

FIXTURES

1st X1 PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES CONFIRMED

Sat 15th March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs Motoroa AFC (A) - K.O. 2.30pm

Sat 22nd March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs Waitara (A) - K.O. 3p.m

Sat 29th March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs FC Western (A) - K.O. 11a.m

The first league fixture is scheduled for Sat 5th April.

TEAM NEWS

FDMC received final confirmation from Central Soccer Taranaki last week that there application to join Taranaki's Senior Men's football clubs in the newly revised league format for 2008 had been successful. The 1st X1 squad, known as FDMC Central Finance will take their place in an inaugural 12 team Premier Division that will see them playing against the best local competition in Taranaki - including an eagerly anticipated fixture against old rivals NPBHS.

• The new format will involve every team playing each other once in Round 1 to determine the Top 8 and the Bottom 4 teams respectively.

• In Round 2 the Top 8 teams carry on and play against each other to thrash out the Championship, whilst the Bottom 4 teams join with the Top 4 teams from Division 1 to play out their remaining games of the season. The top two teams in this hybrid division will earn the right to be promoted back into a ten team Premier Division for the 2009 season.

• All of the top 16 teams at the end of Round 1 will proceed into the Duff Rose Bowl competition.

TEAM NEWS

NZSSS LINWOOD CUP 2007 - BRONZE MEDALISTS

As we edge towards a new season lets not forget the fantastic achievements of the 1st X1 squad from 2007, who went unbeaten during the inter school season and reached the semi final of the NZSSS Linwood Cup held in Palmerston North. Locked at 1-1 after extra time in the semi final against Lindesfarne College, FDMC squandered a number of chances to finish them off only to lose narrowly on a penalty shoot out. The boys recovered well to beat local rivals Spotswood College in the 3rd/4th play off and rightly claim the Bronze Medal.

Many of the same players are still eligible to play for the college again this season as they look to set their sights even higher by playing in the Taranaki Senior Men's Premier Division and applying for the pinnacle of NZSSS football - Lotto Premier.

PLAYER NEWS

Stephen KIBBY has successfully featured in the 2008 National Youth League for Hawkes Bay Utd this season and soon found himself pitting his witts against FDMC Old Boy, Michael Reive, as he made his "debut" against Young Heart Manawatu two weeks ago. Hawkes Bay Utd ran out 3-1 winners on the day, with Stephen coming on for the second half.

They then followed up with yet another convincing 3-0 victory at home to rivals, Cantebury last weekend with Stephen scoring two goals and starting to make a real impact at this level.

Congratulations to both Stephen and Michael and we hope that you both enjoy the rest of the 2008 National Youth League season.

TEAM NEWS

MORGAN HALL LEADS THE WAY!!

FDMC 1st X1 hopefuls being put through there paces during a Pre Season training schedule that started on the 12 February. Training three times a week, these young players are experiencing a very demanding programme of fitness and conditioning in preparation of their first season in the Senior Men's Premier Grade this season. Here are just some of those players giving everything that they have got!!

PLAYER NEWS

FDMC BOASTS AN INTERNATIONAL CALL UP!!

Stephen KIBBY has been included in the NZ U17 World Cup Development Squad and will compete in the U19 National Youth League for Hawkes Bay during the 2008 season. He will be expected to attend a series of NZ training camps throughout the year as the squad finalise their preparations for the 2009 U17 FIFA World Cup to be held on the African continent.

Stephen earned his call up with some outstanding performances, as captain of the Central Soccer 15th Grade Boys team, at the recent Federation National Tournament. He led his team to "Runners Up" for the third year in a row and was a stand out player in the victory against Tournament winners Auckland - the first time that this team had lost in 3 years.

We wish him well in his endeavours this year as he strives to be selected in the full squad and receive a unique opportunity to play on a world stage.

Congratulations to the following players from FDMC who also successfully represented Central Soccer at either 13th, 14th or 15th Grade this season or played at the final Tournament, which was held in Napier between 15th and 20th December.

Adon BURKETT

Dom SQUATRITI

Thomas SMITH

Mark MCLAUCHLAN

Shane GARNER