It’s the first round proper of the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup and Chatham Cup this weekend. With 39 games in the Chatham Cup, 18 in the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup there are lots of things to look out for.

Here are our top five…







1. HIGH-RANKED TEAMS JOINING THE COMPETITION

2019 Champions Napier City Rovers lifting the Chatham Cup. © Copyright Image: www.photosport.nz

Napier City Rovers are the highest ranked team to enter the Chatham Cup in Round 1, with the current holders 6th in the National League’s Central League. They play FC Western in their first game defending the Cup they won in 2019, having retained their title for a year longer with the 2020 edition cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown.  

In the Kate Sheppard Cup, 2018 winners Dunedin Technical play their first game of the competition at home to Roslyn Wakari in a Dunedin derby. Dunedin Technical are currently 7 wins from 7 games in the Women’s Southern Premiership having conceded just 4 goals so far. 


2. ROAD TRIPS
 

Dunedin's Green Island travel to Queenstown in the Kate Sheppard Cup. © Copyright Image: www.photosport.nz


We hope Napier City Rover have got a decent playlist for the coach because they face a 800 km round trip to New Plymouth to play FC Western, about 10 hours on the road in total.

In the Kate Sheppard Cup, Dunedin’s Green Island have a 3.5 hour journey each way to face Queenstown AFC. Hope they like looking at mountains.

Special mention to Oratia United who have to get on a boat to face Waiheke United.


3. LOCAL DERBIES
 

Christchurch's FC Twenty 11 play city rivals Christchurch United in the Chatham Cup. © Copyright Image: FC Twenty 11 Facebook

There are lots of local derbies to look out for across both competitions. 

In the Kate Sheppard Cup there is a rare matchup between first time entrants Blenheim Valley and Nelson Suburbs. Further down the South Island, Cashmere Technical and Ferrymead Bays clash in Christchurch with the Ferrymead side keen to avenge their 0:4 April loss in the New World Women’s Premiership.

The Chatham Cup also sees a number of Christchurch derbies, including FC Twenty 11 having the opportunity to knock out six-time winners Christchurch United. It’s also just a 15 minute drive for Capital League 2’s Waikanae AFC to travel to Capital League 1’s Kapiti Coast United.


4. PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

Green Island's Adam Hewson playing for Southern United in the Men's Futsal SuperLeague. © Copyright Image: www.photosport.nz

The cups are always a great opportunity to discover players you’d never normally get the chance to and 2021 is no exception. 

In the Kate Sheppard Cup Otago University’s Amy Hislop is one to watch. The 19-year-old leads the Women’s Southern Premiership Golden Boot race with 12 goals in 7 league games. Otago University host Southland United on Sunday. 

Green Island’s Adam Hewson is a player to keep an eye on in the Chatham Cup. The former Wellington Phoenix reserves attacker, and Southern United Futsal player, has 11 goals in 8 games so far this season, double the tally of the second top scorer in the Men’s Southern Premiership. Green Island travel to Timaru to play Thistle AFC.


5. LARGE RANDOM LOCAL MONUMENTS
 

Gore's giant brown trout that will great Grants Braes AFC in the Chatham Cup. © Copyright Image: www.stuff.co.nz

Any time you get to travel around the country you get to witness the majesty of the large random local monuments and the Chatham and Kate Sheppard Cup trips are no exception. 

Manurewa AFC get to experience Otorohanga’s corrugated-iron kiwis placed around the town. They better not get too distracted though because Otorohanga AFC beat Whakatane Town 10:0 in the prelims. 

Grants Braes AFC will be greeted in Gore by a the giant brown trout monument (and Gore Wanderers). 

Finally Central United will pass the iconic giant L&P bottle in Paeroa on their way to play Papamoa FC. We look forward to the team photo. 


Article added: Thursday 13 May 2021