Canterbury football players, coaches, staff, and supporters came together at the Double Tree by Hilton last night to officially launch the start of the new Canterbury United season. 

Players from the Canterbury United Dragons, Pride, and Youth Dragons were all presented with their playing jerseys for the season after a special welcome from Maori Football New Zealand Te Waipounamu kaiwhakahaere (South Island Development Officer) Robbie Hawkins and an introduction from Canterbury United chairman John Thompson. 

Former All White Bobby Almond was in attendance to present Youth Dragons and Dragons squad players with their playing jerseys. He also spoke about the importance of taking pride in representing Canterbury at provincial level.

Former Football Fern Tania Neill presented shirts to the Pride squad members and recognised the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that all players had put in to be selected at Canterbury United level. 

The audience also heard from Dragons head coach Willy Gerdsen, Pride head coach Alana Gunn and Youth Dragons head coach Alan Walker who introduced their squads and discussed their individual goals for the season.

The season launch was also an opportunity for Canterbury United to unveil a new set of values. 

The new values were announced by Mainland Football Chief Executive Officer Julian Bowden.

“We are united (Kotahitanga), we are honest (Whakapono), we are committed (Mahi Tahi), we are relentlessness (Manawaroa) and we are humble (Ngakau Mahaki).”

Bowden also drew upon a Maori proverb that he believes will underline everything that Canterbury United is about this season.

“Whaia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei – Aim for the highest cloud so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain.”

The Canterbury United Pride made a strong start to their season with a 4-0 win over Capital Football at English Park on Sunday. The Dragons get their season underway at English Park on October 21 against Southern United, while the youth Dragons kick-off a week earlier on October 14 at English Park against Tasman United.

Article added: Tuesday 18 September 2018