HAWKES BAY'S 2 LARGEST CLUBS UNITE

HAWKES BAY'S 2 LARGEST CLUBS UNITE FOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Hawke’s Bay’s two largest football clubs, Havelock North Wanderers AFC (HNWAFC) and Taradale AFC, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster player development and strengthen local football. This partnership will ensure greater opportunities for young players while reinforcing ethical development practices.

Strengthening Junior Football Pathways

With both clubs boasting significant numbers and high-calibre talent, Taradale AFCPresident Mike Baldwin and Havelock North Wanderers President Aaron Hamilton have both observed increased recruitment activity from clubs that lack strong junior programmes, actively targeting players as young as 12 and 13 years old. Hamilton remains confident that HNWAFC offers the best junior development programme in Hawke’s Bay, supported by key appointments.

  • Chris Jackson (Ex-All Whites Captain) – Director of Football

  • JC Mack (US Virgin Islands Captain) – Head of Juniors

  • Exclusive partnership with Ricki Herbert and RH3 Academy – New Zealand’s leading football academy

Baldwin agrees with the development philosophy as Taradale AFC are 3 years into having Jamie Dunning OFC/NZF A licensed coach and NZF Coach educator full time as their Football Development Manager. With Taradale’s support from MCL Construction as our main junior sponsor we have been able to concentrate on growing the quality of juniors within the club, while encouraging the social aspects of belonging to a club, building better players and people, at the same time offering them the best pathway to success.

Commitment to Ethical Player Development

Under this new MOU, both clubs acknowledge the investment local clubs make in developing young talent and have agreed not to engage in active player solicitation from one another. While players always-have the right to-choose where they play, both clubs are committed to ensuring player movement occurs organically, without external pressure or unethical recruitment tactics.With the new Central Development League (CDL) set to launch in the coming months, both clubs are assembling their squads, marking an exciting new chapter for football in Hawke’s Bay.

RH3 Academy Access for Taradale AFC Juniors

A major advantage of this partnership is that Taradale AFC juniors will now gain access to the exclusive RH3 Academy opportunities previously available only to HNWAFC players.  Previously, any Hawke’s Bay player wishing to participate in the Ricki Herbert National Camps had to be registered with HNWAFC. This privilege has now been extended to Taradale AFC juniors, unlocking elite-level coaching and development opportunities.  Hamilton sees this as a major step forward for Hawkes Bay football, ensuring more young players have access to New Zealand’s top football academy.Baldwin echoes this sentiment, stating that this partnership will elevate the level of player development across both clubs.

Creating a Stronger Hawke’s Bay Representative Team

While HNWAFC and Taradale AFC will continue to be rivals on the pitch, the MOU lays the groundwork for a joint representative team in selected junior age groups. This Initiative builds on the success of HNWAFC’s 12th Grade team, which finished 3rd at the prestigious Gold Coast Premier Invitational Tournament last year. That squad featured three New Plymouth players, highlighting the need to strengthen regional collaboration. Looking ahead, HNWAFC is preparing to compete in the 2026 Mediterranean International Cup (MIC), where they will face elite clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United. A combined HNWAFC-Taradale squad would enhance squad depth and quality, ensuring the region fields its strongest possible team on both national and international stages. In addition, these representative teams will compete in selected national tournaments, further raising the profile of Hawke’s Bay football. 

Leading the Future of Football in Hawke’s Bay

Both clubs agree this partnership marks a new era for local football. As the two largest clubs in the region, HNWAFC and Taradale AFC are taking the lead in shaping a stronger, more unified development pathway for young players.  

Baldwin and Hamilton and are clear in their vision: 

"This is a time for change, and as the biggest clubs in the Bay, it is only right that we lead the way."