Northland FC
Northland FC is a football club based in Whangārei, New Zealand. They currently compete in the NRFL Northern Conference.
North Force was set up late in 2003 by Kamo & Tikipunga Football clubs so that a combined team could be entered in either the US1 Federation League or the Northern Federations Football League, and to create a pathway for players to compete at the highest possible levels.
Club history
In 2004 North Force entered a Men’s team in the NFSL 2nd Division, coach Paul Cross, Won the league and gained promotion into the 1st Division.2005 – North Force fielded a Reserve Team. This was coached by Jerome Lutien with Paul Cross again coaching the 1st Team. Both teams finished mid table.
2006 – North Force entered a Women’s team in the US1 JVC League 1st Division, coached by Adam Hayne and won the league and the Knock Out Cup and earned the right to apply for a position in the Women’s Northern League competition in 2007.
The NFSL 1st Division Men’s team was coached by Russell Baddeley, Assistant Coach Clive Adams and the Reserve Team was coached by Paul Herbert. Both teams finished mid-table.
2007 – Adam Hayne again coached the Women, who again won the league. The NFSL 1st Division Team was again coached by Paul Cross and Assistant Coach Jerome Lutien. Jerome also coached the Development Team.
Funding was gained allowing the installation of floodlighting on Tikipunga number 9 pitch, which has been set aside for a North Force training pitch.
2006 saw North Force with the following clubs signed as 2nd-tier members:
Kerikeri AFC
Madhatters AFC
Onerahi Soccer
Marist Soccer
Central Brown AFC
Hora Hora AFC
FC Whangarei
Paihia AFC
2007– 2008 Season
The team finished 3rd, Coach Dean Wheatley Assistant Coach – Jerome Luiten
Development Team Assistant Coach – Paul Herbert
Women’s Team Coach – Bruce Plunkett
2008/9 Season
– Dean Wheatley Football Manager and Coach.
– Squads Men’s, Women, Youth
– Paul Herbert Development Team Coach
– Adam Hayne Goal Keeper Coach and Assistant Youth Team Coach
– Scott Burgess Youth Squad Coach Senior Men’s team Player, Squad player Waikato FC NZ Football Championship 2007
– Trevor Appledorn Youth Squad Coach Northland Representative Player
– Craig Crawford Youth Squad Coach
Northland Representative Player
– Bruce Plunkett Women’s Coach Player English Semi Professional leagues, Player NZ Professional League – Player Chatham Cup Finalist
– Simon Wilkinson Women’s Assistant Coach
– Dee Tunstall Women’s Assistant Player/Coach
In 2016, North Force changed their name to Northland to better reflect the surrounding region the represent while competing in the NRF leagues.
Present day
North Force has incurred huge travelling expenses over the last four years and still requires funding assistance for travel in particular. As Northland’s only elite football entity, players and clubs from Northland are representing Northland as a regional showcase.Funding Northland is ensuring Northland is able to combine player strength and to ensure Northland has representation at the highest possible level. Northland looks forward to support from Northland business and funding agencies to enable the progress to date towards providing pathways for our young talented players.