Horowhenua StarThe goals are up and the clubrooms are tagged for a lick of paint. All the Ōhau Football Club needs now is a few extra players and it’s game on.
The region’s newest football club has taken residence in a vacant pavilion at Ōhau Domain, their home turf an under-utilised sports field adjacent to State Highway 1 south of Levin.
men’s and women’s teams next season. Photo Paul Williams
OFC president Wes Munn moved to Ōhau from Wellington five years ago and lives a short walk from the ground.
He often thought to himself it had potential as a football venue, but the idea sat parked until he mentioned it at a get-together with a group of friends.
“It really was a humble pub idea that just snowballed,” he says.
Now the club is fizzing at the prospect of having both a men’s and women’s team taking the field next season.
Shirts have been printed, the team logo has been ratified, and boots are being dusted off.
“It’s exciting, and it’s exciting for football, Wes says.
“There’s still a bit of work to go, but we are lucky with the ground and the pavilion.
“The clubrooms need a bit of love. But it’s all there.”
Training will begin in the new year with a series of pre-season games planned for February.
Wes says the club is inclusive and would warmly welcome anyone wanting to join either team.
“We could probably scratch a team together [now] but we will definitely need more players for sure,” he says.
The club will affiliate with Capital Football and join Wellington leagues.
While the club’s aim is to put out both men’s and women’s teams, eventually they want to field junior teams, too.
“Absolutely. We just haven’t quite got the facilities at this stage,” Wes says. “We’ll just try and walk before we run.”
A social media page has been put together and the team colours confirmed – a black and gold strip.
Wes, 36, says football is a sport you can play well into middle-age, seriously or socially, and it’s great to see the sport continuing to increase in popularity.
He says it’s not an easy task starting afresh and the club is grateful to players and sponsors who have come on board already.
If anyone is interested in being involved at any level they can visit the Ōhau Football Club social media page or email ohaufc@gmail.com
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