Tauranga City AFC

While everyone has been enjoying some amazing Tauranga weather, Tauranga City United and Mount Maunganui committees have been working together on merging the clubs. This week, MMJFC voted to dissolve their club and so on behalf of the Executive Committee I'm very excited to announce our new club, Tauranga City AFC (TCAFC) is now official.

This is an exciting time for football in Tauranga as TCAFC now boasts the largest football membership base in Tauranga. We'll provide our junior members a great pathway into senior football at the highest level played in the Bay of Plenty, while ensuring our senior teams will continue to have locally developed players filling the ranks for years to come.

Senior and junior football will continue to be managed by their current sub-committees while the Executive Committee will focus on developing a strategy for the club and managing its deployment with the help of the sub-committees. Joining me on this committee is Simon Bryant (Juniors Executive), Helen Webb (Club/Seniors Treasurer), Karyn Bradford (Club/Seniors Administrator), Brendon McHugh (Juniors Administrator), Regan Cross (Juniors Development Officer) and Ross Lattaway (Facilities Manager).

We've been working on a few things over the last few months in preparation for the merge. Last week we approved a new club constitution which will be made available to all members soon. Other things we're working on are our club colours, badge, coaching appointments, funding applications, a skills centre and holiday programmes for 2018. This website is still being developed - we'll keep you updated on Facebook as we update it more.

On a personal note the merge is a very special moment for me. I played my first game for the club was when I was 13 years old. I've been with the club nearly 20 years, and some of my best memories are playing for TGA City and consider the Club a second family. I am looking forward to driving the club forward with the Executive Committee, and providing young kids the opportunity to create their own special memories.

The club is always looking for more people to join the committees, or just taking on a small role in the club that won't take too much of your time. Let us know if you're interested.

We're all very excited to start a new era of football in Tauranga and can't wait for the new season to kick-off. Until then, have a wonderful festive break and we'll see you all in 2018.

Chris Bradford

Chairperson - Tauranga City AFC