NRFL set to kick-off in New Zealand and many Pacific Islanders have a chance to shine

The new season of the Northern Regional Football League is about to kick off. After many doubts during the football break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, football is definitely back in New Zealand. The clubs had two weeks to prepare for the leagues – many friendly matches were played to get ready for the new season of New Zealand’s most important regional football league.

As the competition begins, many Pacific Islanders have a chance to shine in the new season; the clubs of NRFL in their four division have many players from the Pacific Islands, making it path for football development for players coming from these countries.

In the top-league of the Northern Region Football League, the Lotto NRFL Premier League, we can mention various football stars from Oceania: Manukau United will count on the Fijian international Kishan Sami, Hamilton Wanderers will have the Papua New Guinean star Tommy Semmy and the experienced Solomon Islands football legend Henry Fa’arodo, Central United will count on Ni-Vanuatu central defender Brian Kaltak and the Fijian Shuiab Khan. Many other Pacific Islanders will play their trade in NRFL season this year – Manukau United is one club with many Pacific Islanders, counting on a total of six Fijians in their first and reserve squads. Manukau will also have the Samoan international George Konusi and the Maro Bonsu-Maro who represented Cook Islands at youth international level.

The second-tier of football in the regional league will also have plenty of Pacific Islanders, some as the former U20 Fijian international Divikesh Deo and the new Ellerslie signings from Cook Islands Lee Harmon and Avi Enoka. The best-known player from Pacific Islands of NRFL Division 2 – the third-tier of the regional league – is arguably the youth Solomon Islands’ international Charles Mani, now a player of Hibiscus Coast.

North Shore United is the current champions of the Lotto NRFL Premier League, Forrest Hill Milford won the Division 1 and got promoted to the top-tier league as Albany United was crowned champions of Division 2 also getting promotion to the next league.