Western Springs AFC

Last updated

Western Springs
Western Springs AFC logo.png
Full nameWestern Springs Association Football Club
Nickname(s)Springs
Founded1989
GroundSeddon Fields, Westmere, Auckland [1]
ChairmanWarwick Hooper
ManagerPaul Rutland
CoachMaia Vink (HOWF), Scott Hales (HOMF)
League Northern League
National League
2024 Northern League, 2nd of 12
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Western Springs AFC is an association football club in Westmere, Auckland. Western Springs AFC is one of New Zealand's largest clubs. Both the Senior Women's and Senior Men's teams currently play in the Northern League.

Contents

The Western Springs' home ground is at Seddon Field on Meola Road in Westmere and also play home games at Cox's Bay, Walker Park and Eastdale Reserve. [1]

History

The current club was formed in 1989, [1] but its history stretches back to 1924 and the foundation of Comrades FC. [2] This team amalgamated with Grey Lynn FC in 1952, [2] briefly becoming Grey Lynn Comrades United, before renaming to Grey Lynn United in 1954. [2] In 1986 this team combined with the New Zealand branch of the Celtic Supporters Club to form Grey Lynn Celtic.[ citation needed ] It was this team which combined with Point Chevalier AFC (founded 1949) [3] to become Western Springs Association Football Club in 1989. [1]

Controversies

In May 2023, the women's team had a game postponed [4] [5] [6] and played several games in kits with no logos [7] due to ongoing disputes with the club. Players said they felt "completely disrespected" by the "highly misogynistic behaviour" of the predominantly male board. [8]

The women's team decided not to play their match on 19 May in solidarity with their former manager Ryan Faithful who was sacked a week earlier. Faithful had supposedly stood with the players in their fight for equality. [9] Players said they were constantly pushed to the side to accommodate the men's team. [8] [10] The women's team were also unhappy with the men getting paid up to 8 times the women's team [8] and having double the funding despite not qualifying for the national league like their female counterparts. [11] Football Fern Claudia Bunge said it was "sad to see the lack of support they're getting" and that in the lead up to a FIFA Women's World Cup, "it's not good enough". Bunge said "clubs need to be doing more." [6] [12]

As part of the women's teams frustrations with the club, the players were unhappy with the "phallic like" logo [13] requesting it to be replaced. [14] The New Zealand Herald states an artist was called in to refresh the logo. [13] Jim Jacobs, the designer of the original logo, said he was surprised to hear the claims of the "phallic like" logo, which was based on Tottenham Hotspur's logo. [14]

Reports by the New Zealand Herald state targets were set by the club in December 2022 after receiving $461,755 for upgrades as a 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup training base. [15] [16] This includes females having equal access to facilities and support from the club. The club also set out to have "equal representation of genders in imagery used by the club". [15]

Independent mediators were called in to help settle an agreement between the club and the women's first starting on 30 May. [17] [18] In June 2023 an agreement was reached between the women's first team and the club. [9] [19] [20] The club agreed to increasing the women's team expenses to match the men's expenses, recruit a new head of girl's and women's football, while also engaging an independent advisor to develop the club's programme development strategy. Western Springs also agreed a commitment to "equality, diversity and player representation on club committees". [9] Players were "relieved" and "proud" to have reached an agreement with the club. [19] [20]

Current coaches

Men's Head Coach: Scott Hales

Women's Head Coach: Maia Vink

Current squad

As of 13 June 2021 [21]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Danyon Drake
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Elliot Munford
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Liam Gilbert
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Joe Wallis
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Niko Steinmetz
Flag of Fiji.svg  FIJ Samuela Kautoga
Flag of Samoa.svg  SAM Faitalia Hamilton-Pama
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  ETH Amanuel Molla
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Bradley Thomas
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Finn Cochran
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Theo McIntosh
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Dean Lausev
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Dane Schnell
No.Pos.NationPlayer
Flag of Spain.svg  ESP Gerard Garriga
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Harrison Freeman
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Josh Margetts
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Roderick Lockhart
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Oscar Browne
Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Kenta Nakashima
Flag of England.svg  ENG Dawson Straffon
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Zac Zoricich
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Wade Molony
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Aiden Iqbal
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Kayne Vincent
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Sam Margetts
Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Kaea Rangihaeata

Past and Present day internationals

Women's senior internationals include Football Ferns:

Men's senior internationals include All Whites:

Related Research Articles

A-League Men is the highest-level professional men's soccer league in Australia and New Zealand. At the top of the Australian league system, it is the country's premier men's competition for the sport. A-League Men was established in 2004 as the A-League by the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) as a successor to the National Soccer League (NSL) and competition commenced in August 2005. The league is currently administered by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), contested by thirteen teams; eleven based in Australia and two based in New Zealand. The men's, women's and youth leagues have now been brought together under a unified A-Leagues banner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Football</span> Sports governing body for association football in New Zealand

New Zealand Football is the governing body for the sport of association football in New Zealand. It oversees the seven New Zealand Football federations, as well as the New Zealand men's national football team, the national junior and women's teams, the men's and women's national Leagues New Zealand National League, National Women's League, and a number of tournaments, including the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup. A New Zealand team, Wellington Phoenix FC who plays in the Australian A-League also comes under New Zealand Football jurisdiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andreas Heraf</span> Austrian footballer and manager

Andreas Heraf is an Austrian football manager and former player who last served as head coach for the German Regionalliga team BFC Dynamo. He was previously the technical director for New Zealand Football and head coach for the New Zealand women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand women's national football team</span> Womens national association football team representing New Zealand

The New Zealand women's national football team is governed by New Zealand Football (NZF). They are nicknamed the Football Ferns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abby Erceg</span> New Zealand footballer (born 1989)

Abby May Erceg is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Racing Louisville FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She formerly played for the New Zealand national team, where she became the first player from New Zealand to play 100 international matches. She has previously played for German club Jena, the Chicago Red Stars, and the Western New York Flash / North Carolina Courage, with which she won three NWSL Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Duncan</span> New Zealand footballer (born 1988)

Katie Cherie Duncan is a former New Zealand footballer who played most recently for Auckland United in 2022 and the New Zealand national team. Currently she is head coach at Eastern Suburbs AFC Premier Women's team in Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annalie Longo</span> New Zealand footballer (born 1991)

Annalie Antonia Longo is an association football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women and represents New Zealand at international level. She has played for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League. From her time in the W-League with Melbourne Victory, Longo is dubbed the Kiwi Messi by the fans for her ability on the ball and goalscoring prowess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betsy Hassett</span> New Zealand footballer

Betsy Doon Hassett is a New Zealand footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a right winger for the New Zealand women's national football team and Stjarnan. She has previously played for German side SC Sand, English club Manchester City, Amazon Grimstad in Norway, Werder Bremen in Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga, Dutch club Ajax and Icelandic clubs KR and Stjarnan. Hassett represented New Zealand at the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup as well as the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. At youth level, she played at the 2008 and 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup tournaments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Readings</span> English footballer and coach (born 1975)

Anthony David Readings is a pro licence-qualified English football coach, performance specialist and former player who played for A.F.C. Wimbledon and North Shore United. He is currently the Director of Football for Eastern Suburbs AFC and coaches the men's first team in the New Zealand national league. From 2011 to 2017, he was the head coach of the Football Ferns, New Zealand's national women's football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 FIFA Women's World Cup</span> Association football championship

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was the ninth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the quadrennial international women's football championship contested by women's national teams and organised by FIFA. The tournament, which took place from 20 July to 20 August 2023, was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. It was the first FIFA Women's World Cup with more than one host nation, as well as the first World Cup to be held across multiple confederations, as Australia is in the Asian confederation, while New Zealand is in the Oceanian confederation. It was also the first Women's World Cup to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Robinson</span> English footballer and manager

Dan Robinson is an English football coach and former goalkeeper. He currently manages the academy of Peterborough United and has previously held the role of assistant coach with the New Zealand national women's team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyla King</span> New Zealand international rugby union & league player

Tyla King is a New Zealand international rugby union player, professional rugby league player and Olympian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paige Satchell</span> New Zealand footballer

Paige Therese Satchell is a footballer from New Zealand who plays for the London City Lionesses in the Women's Championship. She has played for the New Zealand national team in the under-17, under-20, and senior levels, including at the 2023 World Cup. She was a traveling reserve for the New Zealand team at the 2016 Summer Olympics and was a squad member for New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Nadia Kelly Olla is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper, playing for Western Springs AFC. She has represented New Zealand.

Claudia Mary Bunge is a New Zealand footballer who currently plays for Melbourne Victory. She has represented New Zealand at both age group and senior international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Paulsen</span> New Zealand footballer born 2002

Alexander Noah Paulsen is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League club Auckland FC, on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth, and the New Zealand national team.

The 2022 season was the 132nd competitive association football season in New Zealand.

Megan Frances Lee is a New Zealand footballer who plays for NRFL Women's Premiership side Western Springs. She has represented New Zealand at senior and age group level.

Tayla Anne O'Brien is a New Zealand footballer who plays for NRFL Women's Premiership side Eastern Suburbs. She has represented New Zealand at senior and age group level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auckland FC</span> Football club

Auckland Football Club is a professional football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that will compete in the A-League Men, the top flight of Australian soccer, from the 2024–25 season. Established on 14 March 2024 as Auckland FC, the club is under licence from the Australian Professional Leagues. The club's home ground is Mount Smart Stadium in Penrose and adopts an electric blue and black home kit.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Western Springs - Get in Touch". Western Springs AFC. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Ruane, Jeremy. "Grey Lynn". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. Ruane, Jeremy. "Pt. Chevalier". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  4. "Western Springs women's match postponed due to 'exceptional circumstances'". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. "Newshub report: 'Western Springs players to boycott Friday's match'". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Football Ferns hit out at Auckland club Western Springs AFC over battle with women's premier team". Newshub . 17 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. "Western Springs Football Club: Premier women's team take pitch in different uniform" . New Zealand Herald . 29 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "'I felt shame': Mass exodus at top Auckland football club Western Springs after women players 'disrespected'" . New Zealand Herald . 13 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Football: Mediation settles impasse between Western Springs club, women's team over parity". Newshub . 19 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. "Awaiting football royalty, Western Springs a leak". News Room. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  11. "Western Springs Football Club: Financial accounts show men's team received more than double in funding than women's team" . New Zealand Herald . 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  12. "Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge's warning to Western Springs Football Club" . New Zealand Herald . 17 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Western Springs Football Club: Phallic logo to be replaced as senior members call for special meeting" . New Zealand Herald . 12 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Western Springs Football Club: Designer of original logo speaks out on 'phallic' claims" . New Zealand Herald . 15 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Fifa Women's World Cup: Documents reveal gender-equity funding conditions for Western Springs Football Club" . New Zealand Herald . 3 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. "Team Base Camps confirmed for FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™". FIFA . Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  17. "Football equal rights row: Mediators called in after top Auckland football club Western Springs threatens walkout". New Zealand Herald . 13 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  18. "Western Springs match postponed after mediation date set" . New Zealand Herald . 19 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Western Springs Football Club and top female players reach agreement over gender equity issues". New Zealand Herald . 19 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. 1 2 "Inside Western Springs Football Club's equality battle: How women's team fought back - and won" . New Zealand Herald . 21 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  21. "2021 Northern and Central League Player Lists". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 15 June 2021.