Welcome to Aaron, his staff and the Auckland Football squad to the North Harbour Stadium for the 3rd round of the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership. Our first game saw us create numerous opportunities to finish the game off against Capital Football after taking a first half lead but unfortunately, they were able to equalise in the 89th minute to start the season off with a draw. With the bye the following week we were able to focus on ourselves for a week especially around our final acts and combination in and around the final third. Game 2 for us (week 3 of the competition) saw us travel down to Dunedin for what was a long but very productive day. We eventually ran out 3-0 winners, again creating numerous chances and even after a good win against a good Southern United side we still feel there is still heaps of room for improvement to turn chances into goals. Unfortunately, we have a lost Emily Couchman for a short while whilst she recovers from a fractured finger with Jesse Barnard stepping up to cover whilst Emily heals. Stacey Martin has also been ruled out for the duration of the season which has been a big loss to the group. All of us associated with the Northern Lights wish Stacey all the best with her recovery and hope to see her back on the field soon. Auckland Football have had a really impressive start to the season in both performance and results and will be a really tough test for us and good measure of where we are as a team. The girls are fired up for the game and with so many friendships across the groups I’m sure it will be a fiercely competitive game. On behalf of myself, my staff and the players, we hope you enjoy the game. Ben Bates Northern Lights Head Coach COACH ' S COMMENTS 2 Northern Lights | 2020 Official Matchday Programme @NFF_Lights @NorthernLightsNFF 3 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA New Zealand Football and ISPS Handa are delighted to announce that the naming rights to Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier national football leagues have been extended for the 2020 and 2020/21 seasons. As a result, the National Women’s League will now be known as the ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership for the 2020 season, while the ISPS Handa Premiership will be known as the ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership for the 2020/21 season. The extension of this relationship for the upcoming premiership seasons reaffirms the importance of the ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership to New Zealand’s football landscape, particularly after a winter season disrupted and, in the case of the Auckland region, ultimately curtailed, by the COVID-19 pandemic. NZ Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said: “We’re delighted that ISPS Handa have continued their relationship with New Zealand Football by extending their naming rights to both the women’s and men’s premierships. It helps to give our top tier domestic competitions a uniform identity and positions them equally in the football landscape.” ISPS Handa founder and chairperson Dr Haruhisa Handa said: “In these uncertain times, the power of sport is more vital than ever - to unite communities, to inspire hope. It is our delight and honour to title sponsor the NZ Women’s Premiership this year and to continue with the NZ Men’s Premiership. ISPS Handa believes equality in sport will lead the world to the future we all deserve. We look forward to a fantastic season ahead for the athletes, spectators from New Zealand and around the world.” As 2021 holds the prospect of the Olympic Games and age group world cups, the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership provides a domestic platform for Aotearoa New Zealand’s best domestic-based talent to test itself on. And given Aotearoa New Zealand’s success in returning to its status of having no cases of COVID-19 in the community, the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership will be one of the only domestic women’s leagues in the world that fans can attend. The 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership is also supported by targeted funding from Sport NZ in light of the financial impacts of COVID-19. THE LAUNCH OF THE 2020 ISPS HANDA WOMEN ' S PREMIERSHIP PREMIERSHIP REVIEW ROUND 03 Auckland Football Canterbury United Capital Football Northern Lights WaiBOP Football Central Football Southern United PREMIERSHIP TABLE P 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 W 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 D 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 0 1 1 3 GF 16 9 7 4 4 3 1 GA 3 7 4 1 6 11 12 GD 13 2 3 3 -2 -8 -11 PTS 9 6 4 4 1 1 0 2 : 4 0 : 3 3 : 1 BYE Foster, Elliot O’Brien, Philpot, Takeda Hepburn, Nicholson, Rennie, Lake Pritchard (2), Savage Ward 4 Northern Lights | 2020 Official Matchday Programme ROUND 04 PREVIEW 5 Northern Lights | 2020 Official Matchday Programme vs SUN 22 NOV, 2PM KICK OFF NORTH HA R B O U R S TA D I U M O VA L, AUCKLAND WAT C H L I V E O N vs vs SUN 22 NOV, 2PM P E T O N E M E M ORIAL, WELLINGTON SUN 22 NOV, 2PM E N G L I S H PA R K, CHRISTCHURCH BYE @NFF_Lights @NorthernLightsNFF 6 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA EMILY COUCHMAN G O A L K E E P E R 1 ANEKA MITTENDORFF D E F E N D E R 4 MALIA STEINMETZ M I D F I E L D E R 8 JESS INNES M I D F I E L D E R 1 1 ARABELLA MAYNARD M I D F I E L D E R 2 SASKIA VOSPER D E F E N D E R 5 EMMA KETE F O R W A R D 9 LIZ SAVAGE M I D F I E L D E R 1 2 RENE WASI M I D F I E L D E R 3 CHLOE KNOTT M I D F I E L D E R 7 EMMA ROLSTON M I D F I E L D E R 10 DANNI CANHAM M I D F I E L D E R 1 3 NORTHERN LIGHTS LILY JERVIS D E F E N D E R 1 4 MACKENZIE BARRY D E F E N D E R 1 7 TALISHA GREEN D E F E N D E R 21 ANDY CLAY A S S I S T A N T C O A C H SUYA HAERING D E F E N D E R 1 5 ERIN HUGHES G O A L K E E P E R 1 8 STACEY MARTIN M I D F I E L D E R 23 HARRIET STEELE A S S I S T A N T C O A C H AVA PRITCHRAD F O R W A R D 16 GREER MACINTOSH D E F E N D E R 20 BEN BATES H E A D C O A C H KAITLYN SAVAGE G O A L K E E P E R C O A C H 7 Northern Lights | 2020 Official Matchday Programme PREMIERSHIP SQUAD 2020 Q: WHERE WERE YOU MOST RECENTLY PLAYING BEFORE NORTHERN LIGHTS? A: I was in Sydney playing for northern tigers but due to Covid I came back and have been with FFDP for the rest of the year. Q: WHAT’S YOUR BEST FOOTBALL MEMORY? A: The changing room hype after winning 5-0 against Jordan at the u17s World Cup. Q: BEST GOAL SCORED / SAVE MADE? A: I don’t score many of these but I scored a left footed volley edge of the box last year. Q: MAIN WORK-ON FOR THIS SEASON? A: A lot in the mental side and making sure I continue to enjoy and give my 100%. Q: WHICH TEAM DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING AGAINST MOST AND WHY? A: Auckland Football due to it being the derby and having a lot of good friends in the team who I would always love to win against. Q: DREAM 5-ASIDE TEAM, YOU AND WHO ELSE? A: I would just have Chloe Knott and I’ll be rush goalkeeper and she’ll do the work like we aren’t even missing 3 players. Perfection! Q: BEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST AND WHY? A: Servet Uzunlar - played with her in Sydney and she taught me so much about the game while demonstrating all the characteristics needed to be the type of national player she was for Australia. Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL? A: Plan trips that I never go on but might one day and have proper heart to heart catch ups with friends and family Q: IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? A: Barack Obama , he just seems like a real cool dude that I think we could very much become friends afterwards and that’s on networking. Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER? A: Pretty relaxed and happy to just be there. Q: IF YOU COULD PLAY ANOTHER POSITION FOR A GAME, WHERE WOULD IT BE? A: I played CB a few times last year and wasn’t the biggest fan but it grew on me a little bit. Wish I could be a striker but my goal average a year is about 1. Q: BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER? A: My parents, they were supportive but not overbearing ever and that helped a lot with me figuring out all the different paths I’ve been on with football. Nickname: Mals D.O.B / Age: 18.01.1999 (21 Years) Nationality: Samoan and NZ European Previous Clubs: Northern Tigers (Sydney) Preferred Foot: Right Honours / Trophies: Northern Tigers Player of the Year 2019 NZ U20 Captain at the World Cup in France Pro Team: USA Womens National Team Player: Messi Food: Chicken Burger Travel Destination: Jordan Movie / TV Series: Good Will Hunting / Fleabag Hobbies: Relaxing in the sunshine Book: 10 Types of Humans Music Genre: Sad slow songs Pre-Game Song: Superbass by Nikki Minaj Quote: “Everything happens for a reason” PLAYER Q & A QUICKFIRE FAVOURITES PLAYER DETAILS MALIA STEINMETZ PLAYER PROFILE 8 @NFF_Lights @NorthernLightsNFF 8 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Q: WHERE WERE YOU MOST RECENTLY PLAYING BEFORE NORTHERN LIGHTS? A: Football Ferns Development Programme Q: WHAT’S YOUR BEST FOOTBALL MEMORY? A: The first time I played for NZ, my family surprised me and came to watch my games. I was 15 and we were playing in Australia. Q: BEST GOAL SCORED / SAVE MADE? A: Goal line save. Q: MAIN WORK-ON FOR THIS SEASON? A: Staying composed when playing out from the back and keeping possession. Q: WHICH TEAM DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING AGAINST MOST AND WHY? A: Auckland Football Federation, its always a tough match between Northern and Auckland. Q: BEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST AND WHY? A: Played against Jordyn Huitema, who now plays for PSG and the Canada women’s team. Q: DREAM 5-ASIDE TEAM, YOU AND WHO ELSE? A: Aneka Mittendorff, Arabella Maynard, Malia Steinmetz and Anna Leat in goal! Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL? A: Study at the University of Auckland, majors: psychology and criminology. Q: IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? A: David Attenborough, he would be the most interesting person to meet! Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER? A: Committed and hard working. Q: IF YOU COULD PLAY ANOTHER POSITION FOR A GAME, WHERE WOULD IT BE? A: Probably right forward/winger as in someways its similar to full back. Q: BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER? A: My family always support me, particularly my Dad who always encouraged me to play sport and travels with me for tournaments overseas. D.O.B / Age: 11.04.2001 (19 Years) Nationality: NZ European Winter Club: Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP) Preferred Foot: Right Honours / Trophies (At Ellerslie) Played in NZ U17 team that got bronze at the World Cup Pro Team: FC Barcelona Player: Lieke Martens Food: Mexican Travel Destination: Paris Movie / TV Series: The Alienist Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family Book: How to Escape from Prison by Paul Wood Music Genre: Pop Pre-Game Song: We always listen to ‘All of the Lights’ by Kanye West Quote: “Kia Kaha girls!” - Gabi Rene PLAYER Q & A QUICKFIRE FAVOURITES PLAYER DETAILS MACKENZIE BARRY 17 PLAYER PROFILE 9 Northern Lights | 2020 Official Matchday Programme RESULT – – – – – – 1 3 1 0 D W UPCOMING GAMES @NFF_Lights @NorthernLightsNFF 10 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA vs vs SUN 29 NOV 2PM KICK OFF J O H N K E R KHOF PARK, C A M B R I D GE SUN 6 NOV 1PM KICK OFF M C F E T R I D GE PARK, A U C K L A N D ROUND 05 AWAY ROUND 06 HOME DATE SUN 1 NOV SUN 15 NOV SUN 22 NOV SUN 29 NOV SUN 6 DEC SUN 13 DEC FINAL SUN 20 DEC K.O 1.00PM 12.00PM 1.00PM 1.00PM 2.00PM 1.00PM 2.00PM OPPOSITION CAPITAL FOOTBALL SOUTHERN UNITED AUCKLAND FOOTBALL WAIBOP FOOTBALL CENTRAL FOOTBALL CANTERBURY UNITED 1ST v 2ND VENUE MCFETRIDGE PARK DUNEDIN ARTIFICIAL MCFETRIDGE PARK JOHN KERKHOF PARK MCFETRIDGE PARK ENGLISH PARK TBC ALL 2020 FIXTURES EMILY COUCHMAN ARABELLA MAYNARD RENE WASI ANEKA MITTENDORFF SASKIA VOSPER CHLOE KNOTT MALIA STEINMETZ EMMA KETE EMMA ROLSTON JESS INNES LIZ SAVAGE DANNI CANHAM LILY JERVIS SUYA HAERING AVA PRITCHARD MACKENZIE BARRY ERIN HUGHES SAM TAWHARU GREER MACINTOSH ROSE LUXTON TALISHA GREEN STACEY MARTIN NORTHERN LIGHTS AUCKLAND FOOTBALL HEAD COACH BEN BATES ASSISTANT COACHES HARRIET STEELE ANDY CLAY GOALKEEPER COACH KAITLYN SAVAGE HEAD COACH AARON MCFARLAND ASSISTANT COACHES KATIE DUNCAN STEPHEN HOYLE GOALKEEPER COACH DANYON DRAKE LILY ALFELD AVA COLLINS LIZ ANTON DAISY CLEVERLY LANEY STACHAN ELLA FINDLAY KATE HANNAY SOPHIE BRADLEY TAYLA O’BRIEN EMMA LEAMING ELLA RUSS JESS PHILPOT STELLA LAWSON PETRA BUYCK BRITNEY CUNNINGHAM-LEE ALOISI BLOOMFIELD CASEY BERRIER ARISA TAKEDA EMMA PIJENBURG RINA HIRANO 11 Matchday Programme Designed By