It’s the first round of the Chatham Cup and Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup this weekend as 158 teams across the two competitions start their campaigns to lift the two most prestigious cups in New Zealand football. 

With 62 games being played, we picked out 5 things to look out for…

Returning Champions

They may have only lifted it a few months ago due to Covid related delays but 2021 Chatham Cup champions Cashmere Technical are right back at it in Round 1, drawn against fellow Southern League side Nomads United.

Not sure that Nomads will be too happy to be facing their Christchurch rivals thought after Tech put six goals past them in the league last month. 

In the Kate Sheppard Cup, 2021 winners Wellington United Diamonds have a bye to Round 2 so will have to wait a bit longer before defending their title. 

Top Goalscorers 

The first round of the cups is always a great chance to see the top players from regional leagues compete in a national competition. 

In the Kate Sheppard Cup, Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship side Hibiscus Coast travel to Waiuku AFC with league top scorer Peta Van Hattum looking to add to her 9 goals so far this season.

In the Chatham Cup, after an impressive start in the ODT Men’s Southern Premiership, Northern AFC’s Tyler Muir will be one to watch following his 9 goals in 6 games in the league. His side face Invercargill’s Old Boys' AFC.

Cross-Country Trips 

As it is the first round all teams are drawn to face sides in their region, but that doesn’t mean no long-distance  cup aways days. 

Havelock North Wanderers will be travelling 240km from one side of Aoteaora to the other for their first round game as they face Whanganui Athletic. 

Young Talent 

With the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in August, there should be the chance to catch a number of the players pushing to be selected during this year’s Kate Sheppard Cup. 

Chloe Bellamy, recently selected for the U20 games against Australia, sees her West Coast Rangers side host Onerahi, with more players set to join in Round 2 after clubs had a bye in the first round. 

Sperm Wales FC

Ok, so their name definitely did raise an eyebrow when pulled out of the draw but Sperm Wales FC are one of the stories of the cup so far. The Auckland Sunday League social team beat higher ranked opposition when they defeated FC Whangarei in the prelims and will next face Ngaruawahia United in Round 1. 

They have already called out Auckland City FC as their preferred next opponent…

Article added: Saturday 14 May 2022