from the Kapiti News
While the Kāpiti Coast United, Waikanae, Paekākāriki, Ōtaki and Manakau clubs will continue, an overarching club called Horowhenua Coastal Football Club (HCFC) has been created for youth and senior players.
Waikanae Football Club president Charlie Sturman said the HCFC initiative started in July last year when the clubs got together to look at the future of football in both districts.
“There’s a big catchment but with players moving from one club to the other it was diluting the talent.
“We said we should work together somehow to create a higher calibre of senior football [men’s and women’s] and to incorporate all the teams.
“We also included the youth, from 13-year-olds upwards, because that’s where they play the development leagues.”
The change wasn’t easy, especially with rivalry between the clubs, but “we’ve overcome that for the development of football within the region”.