FROM WAIBOP TO THE WORLD
Players from Waikato and Bay of Plenty clubs have gone on to play professionally and represent Aotearoa at every level, from U-15 teams to the All Whites, Football Ferns, Futsal Whites and Futsal Ferns.
Each has a connection to a club in our region. Here are some of their stories.
84 players and counting
Players from WaiBOP clubs on professional contracts this season.
NowAuckland FC, A-League Men
WaiBOPTauranga City
Jonty Bidois came through the youth teams at Tauranga City and played for Tauranga Boys’ College. He was the NRFL Championship’s top scorer in 2023 as Tauranga City won the title, and signed a scholarship contract with Auckland FC in 2024. He won the A-League Men Championship with Auckland FC in 2026.
Olympics
NowWellington Phoenix, A-League Men (on loan)
WaiBOPTauranga City
Riley Bidois was born in Tauranga and played two seasons for Tauranga City in NRFL Division 1. He joined the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in 2019 after winning the Golden Boot at the Western Springs U-17 tournament. He has played in Australia and the United States, and was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He returned to the Phoenix on loan in September 2026.
U-20 (later USA)
NowLos Angeles FC, MLS, USA
WaiBOPMelville United
Tyler Boyd came through the youth teams at Melville United and played for the club’s senior side at 16, before joining Waikato FC and then the Wellington Phoenix. His professional career has taken him to Portugal, Turkey and the United States, where he now plays for Los Angeles FC. He played for New Zealand at U-20 level before switching to represent the United States in 2019.
U-20 · U-19
NowWellington Phoenix, A-League Women
WaiBOPHillcrest United, Hamilton Wanderers
Lily Brazendale is from Hamilton. She played junior football at Hillcrest United and spent five years at Hamilton Wanderers before joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2025. She has played for New Zealand at U-19 level, was named in the squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September 2026, and signed with the Phoenix A-League Women team again in October 2026.
All Whites · U-20 · U-17
NowPortsmouth, England
WaiBOPCambridge FC, Hamilton Wanderers
Luke Brooke-Smith moved to Cambridge with his family at age 11 and made his senior debut for Cambridge FC in 2023. He joined Hamilton Wanderers and then the Wellington Phoenix in 2024, becoming the youngest New Zealander to play in the A-League Men at 16 years and 199 days. He signed for Portsmouth in England in July 2026. He has played for New Zealand at U-17, U-20 and senior level.
Football Ferns · U-17
NowCanberra United, A-League Women
WaiBOPHamilton North, Claudelands Rovers, Hamilton Wanderers
Kelli Brown is from Ngāhinapōuri and played for Hamilton North, Claudelands Rovers and Hamilton Wanderers, and represented WaiBOP in the National Women’s League. She began her professional career at the Wellington Phoenix and has since played for Perth Glory and the Newcastle Jets, joining Canberra United in 2026. She played for New Zealand at U-17 level in 2018 and made her Football Ferns debut in 2025.
Football Ferns · U-17
NowMelbourne Victory, A-League Women
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers
Geo Candy is from Hamilton and played for Hamilton Wanderers, representing WaiBOP in the National Women’s League before joining the Wellington Phoenix. They played for New Zealand at U-17 level, have played for the Football Ferns, and now play for Melbourne Victory.
U-20
NowWellington Phoenix, A-League Women
WaiBOPCambridge, Hamilton Wanderers
Goalkeeper Aimee Danieli played for Cambridge and Hamilton Wanderers and represented WaiBOP in the 2020 National Women’s League. She joined the Wellington Phoenix in 2023, was in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and signed with the Phoenix again for the 2026/27 season.
Football Ferns · U-20
NowWellington Phoenix, A-League Women
WaiBOPCambridge, Melville United, Waikato Rapids (futsal)
Manaia Elliott played junior and youth football in Cambridge and at Melville United, and spent two years playing futsal for the Waikato Rapids. She represented WaiBOP in the National Women’s League before joining the Wellington Phoenix in 2023. She played at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and has since played for the Football Ferns.
U-19 · U-17 · U-16
NowAuckland FC, A-League Men
WaiBOPTauranga City, FC Tauranga Moana
Van Fitzharris started at Mount Maunganui Juniors, now Tauranga City AFC, and played for FC Tauranga Moana and Tauranga City’s Northern League side. He joined Auckland FC Reserves in September 2025, played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later that year and made his A-League debut in April 2026. In August 2026 he was named in the New Zealand squad for the OFC U-19 Championship in Samoa.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
NowDurham, England
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers, Hamilton Wanderers
Michaela Foster played youth football for Claudelands Rovers and later Hamilton Wanderers, and represented WaiBOP in the National Women’s League. She captained New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level and made her Football Ferns debut in Hamilton in February 2023, before playing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup that year. After two seasons with the Wellington Phoenix, she now plays for Durham in England.
U-17 · U-16
NowWellington Phoenix, A-League Men
WaiBOPTaupō, Cambridge, Hamilton Wanderers
Dylan Gardiner played for Taupō, Cambridge and Hamilton Wanderers before joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2023. He played for New Zealand at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and signed a one year contract with the Phoenix on scholarship terms in October 2026.
U-17
NowWellington Phoenix
WaiBOPCambridge, Hamilton Wanderers
Luke Mitchell played for Cambridge, Hamilton Wanderers and Eastern Suburbs. He was in the New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, joined the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2025 and signed a three year contract with the club in October 2026, with the first two years on scholarship terms.
All Whites · Olympics
NowAuckland FC, A-League Men
WaiBOPNgongotahā AFC
Nando Pijnaker moved to New Zealand from the Netherlands at age three and grew up in Rotorua, making his debut for the Ngongotahā AFC first team at 15. He played in Wellington and Europe, including two years at Sligo Rovers in Ireland, before joining Auckland FC. He played for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics and was named in the All Whites squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
All Whites · U-20 · U-17
NowAuckland FC, A-League Men
WaiBOPHamilton North, Hamilton Wanderers
Logan Rogerson is from Hamilton and played for Hamilton North and Hamilton Wanderers before joining the Wellington Phoenix. He has played in Germany and Finland and for Auckland City, and joined Auckland FC for its first A-League season in 2024. He won the 2026 A-League Men Championship with Auckland FC and was called into the All Whites squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
All Whites · Olympics
NowHampton & Richmond Borough, England
WaiBOPWhakatāne Town, Tauranga City, Cambridge FC, Melville United
Jamie Searle was born in Whakatāne and played for Whakatāne Town, Tauranga City, Cambridge FC and Melville United while at St Peter’s School in Cambridge. He moved to England in 2019 to join Aston Villa, then played for Swansea City, Barnsley and Forest Green Rovers. He was in the New Zealand squad at the Tokyo Olympics and has played for the All Whites. He now plays for Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Football Ferns
NowMelbourne City, A-League Women (captain)
WaiBOPPapamoa
Rebekah Stott was born in Papamoa. She has played professionally in Australia, Norway, Germany, the United States and England, and captains Melbourne City in the A-League Women. She has made more than 90 appearances for the Football Ferns.
All Whites · U-20
NowPEC Zwolle, Eredivisie, Netherlands
WaiBOPMount Maunganui, Tauranga City, Melville United
Ryan Thomas was born in Te Puke and went to Tauranga Boys’ College. He played youth football at Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City and Melville United before moving to the Netherlands, where he made his professional debut for PEC Zwolle at 19. He later joined PSV Eindhoven and is now back at PEC Zwolle. He has played for New Zealand at U-20 and senior level.
Football Ferns · U-17 · U-18 Futsal
NowFC Nordsjælland, Denmark
WaiBOPCambridge, Melville United, Hamilton Wanderers
Grace Wisnewski grew up in Hamilton playing both football and futsal, with Cambridge, Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers. She was player of the match when New Zealand beat Canada to take bronze at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. She signed for the Wellington Phoenix in 2021, played for Lexington SC in the United States, and now plays for FC Nordsjælland in Denmark. She made her Football Ferns debut in 2023.
All Whites (captain)
NowNottingham Forest, Premier League, England
WaiBOPCambridge FC, Hamilton Wanderers
Chris Wood played his junior and youth football with Cambridge FC and Hamilton Wanderers, and represented Waikato. He moved to England at 16 to join West Bromwich Albion. Wood now captains the All Whites and plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Senior internationals who started at clubs in the region.
Football Ferns · U-20
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers, Hamilton Wanderers, Taupō AFC
Helen Arjomandi (née Collins) was born in Thames and is one of the region’s most prolific strikers. She played for Claudelands Rovers, represented New Zealand at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Russia and went on to play for the Football Ferns. She has since played for Hamilton Wanderers and Taupō AFC.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Tauranga born Olivia Chance came through Claudelands Rovers and scored three goals in the 2010 Women’s Knockout Cup final, aged 16. She played at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and made her Football Ferns debut in 2011. Her professional career has included Everton, Bristol City and Celtic in the UK and Brisbane Roar in Australia, and she played at the Tokyo Olympics.
All Whites · Futsal Whites
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers, Waikato United
Elliot Collier played for Hamilton Wanderers, Waikato United and Island Bay United before moving to the United States to play college football at Loyola University Chicago, scoring 15 goals in 69 games. He played for the Futsal Whites in 2012 and the All Whites in 2019, one of few players to represent New Zealand in both futsal and football.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Isabella Coombes is from Hamilton and played for Claudelands Rovers. She represented New Zealand at FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups and was capped by the Football Ferns. She now works as a sports scientist at the Wellington Phoenix.
Football Ferns · 124 caps
WaiBOPCambridge United, Claudelands Rovers
Katie Duncan (née Hoyle) was born in Cambridge and started playing football at age four with Cambridge United, later playing for Claudelands Rovers. She made her Football Ferns debut in 2006 and went on to play 124 times for New Zealand, including three Olympic Games and four FIFA Women’s World Cups, and was vice captain. Her professional career took her to Germany, England, Switzerland, Denmark and Australia. She is now Director of Women’s Football at Eastern Suburbs.
All Whites · 2010 World Cup
WaiBOPTauranga
Rory Fallon was born in Gisborne and lived in Tauranga in the mid 1990s while his dad Kevin coached Mount Maunganui. He played for England from U-16 to U-20 level before switching to New Zealand, and scored the header against Bahrain that took the All Whites to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he played in all three games.
All Whites · 2010 World Cup
WaiBOPŌtūmoetai College, Tauranga City United
Tony Lochhead was born in Tauranga and played football at Ōtūmoetai College and for Tauranga City United in the National League. He went to the United States in 2001 to play for UC Santa Barbara, then played professionally for the New England Revolution, the Wellington Phoenix and Chivas USA, setting a Phoenix record of 131 appearances. He won 43 caps for the All Whites and played every minute of their three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Kate Loye grew up in Tamahere and played for Claudelands Rovers from 2007 to 2015, including the side that won the 2010 Women’s Knockout Cup. She played for New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level, including the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, and made her Football Ferns debut against Brazil in 2015. She was named Mainland Football’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2025.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Sarah McLaughlin captained Claudelands Rovers to the 2010 Women’s Knockout Cup, the first win by a club from outside Auckland in 15 years. She represented New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level, played for the Football Ferns, and was a travelling alternate at the 2012 London Olympics. She later played in Australia for Adelaide United.
Football Ferns
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers, Melville United
Anne Ormrod was a Claudelands Rovers striker when she made two appearances for the Football Ferns on their tour of the United States in October 2004. She later played for Melville United, scoring 33 goals in 10 games for the women’s first team in 2011.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Holly Patterson was born in Hamilton and played for Claudelands Rovers, helping them win the 2010 Women’s Knockout Cup. She played for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, made her Football Ferns debut in 2012 and was a travelling alternate at the London Olympics. She later played in Australia for Adelaide United.
All Whites
WaiBOPTauranga
David Rayner was born in Tauranga. He played for the All Whites as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Malaysia in June 2000.
All Whites · U-23 · U-20
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers
Marco Rojas was born in Hamilton and played for Hamilton Wanderers. His professional career took him to the Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory, VfB Stuttgart in Germany, Colo Colo in Chile and Brisbane Roar. He has represented New Zealand at U-20, U-23 and senior level.
Football Ferns · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPNgongotahā AFC, Rotorua United, Claudelands Rovers
Paige Satchell grew up in Rotorua and played for Ngongotahā AFC until she was 14, then Rotorua United and Claudelands Rovers. She played three seasons with WaiBOP United in the National Women’s League and made her Football Ferns debut in 2016. Her professional career has included SC Sand in Germany, Canberra United, Sydney FC, the Wellington Phoenix and London City Lionesses, and she played at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
All Whites · Olympics
WaiBOPMelville United
Aaron Scott played for Melville from age 15 and captained Waikato FC before joining Waitakere United. He played in all three of New Zealand’s games at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and made his All Whites debut in 2009, playing at the FIFA Confederations Cup that year. In 2026 he was first team coach at Melville United, still making the occasional appearance as a player.
All Whites · 2010 World Cup
WaiBOPPapamoa
Tommy Smith moved to Papamoa with his family at age eight and later went to Westlake Boys’ High School in Auckland, where an Ipswich Town scout spotted him. He spent most of his career in England, including more than 200 games for Ipswich Town, and played a season with Auckland FC. He played every minute of New Zealand’s three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was named in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football Ferns
WaiBOPWhakatāne Town, Kawerau, Kahukura
Brooke Stilgoe grew up in Whakatāne and played her local football for Whakatāne, Kawerau and Kahukura. She captained Lock Haven University in the United States and was named in the All-American team. She became Football Fern number 119 when she made her debut against Australia in February 2004, and won three caps.
Players who have represented Aotearoa in New Zealand U-15 to U-23 teams.
U-20 · U-17 · U-16
NowAuckland United, National League
WaiBOPMelville United, Rototuna Senior High School
Laura Bennett came through Melville United and played at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2024 and 2025. In 2026 she was named in the New Zealand squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland and signed with Auckland United for the National League.
U-17 · U-16
WaiBOPMelville United, Hamilton Boys’ High School
Tomas Blackhall plays for Melville United and goes to Hamilton Boys’ High School. He has played for New Zealand at U-16 and U-17 level, and in September 2026 was selected for the New Zealand U-17 team at the International Youth Soccer Tournament in Japan.
U-20 · U-17
NowAuckland City
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers, Waikato FC, Melville United
Andrew Blake played his youth football in Hamilton with Hamilton Wanderers, Waikato FC and Melville United. He played for New Zealand at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and went on to play for the Wellington Phoenix and Hibernian in Scotland before joining Auckland City.
U-16
NowWellington Phoenix Academy
WaiBOPTauranga City, Bay of Plenty Surge (futsal)
Mackenzie Bryant played for Tauranga City AFC and played futsal for the Bay of Plenty Surge before moving to the Wellington Phoenix Academy. She played for New Zealand at the 2024 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Fiji.
U-19 · U-17
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers
Sophie Campbell plays for Hamilton Wanderers. She was in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic and was selected for the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2025.
U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Kate Carlton played for Claudelands Rovers and was part of the side that won the 2010 Women’s Knockout Cup. She represented New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level, and in secondary schools football.
U-16
WaiBOPNorthern United, Melville United, Sacred Heart Girls’ College
Sienna Casson played for Northern United before joining Melville United, and goes to Sacred Heart Girls’ College in Hamilton. She was a late call-up to the New Zealand U-16 women’s team for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in the Solomon Islands in September 2026.
U-16
WaiBOPMelville United, Hamilton Boys’ High School
Santiago Castillo plays for Melville United and goes to Hamilton Boys’ High School. He was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2026 OFC U-16 Championship in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPCambridge, Claudelands Rovers, Melville United, Hamilton Wanderers
Tayla Christensen played her junior and youth football at Cambridge, Claudelands Rovers and Melville United, then Forrest Hill Milford United in Auckland. After senior spells with Claudelands Rovers and Hamilton Wanderers, she played college football for TCU in the United States and professionally for FC Málaga City and Viajes InterRías in Spain before joining South Melbourne. She played for New Zealand at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
U-16
WaiBOPMelville United
Miché Cloete plays for Melville United and goes to Hamilton Girls’ High School. She played for New Zealand at U-16 level in 2025.
U-23 · U-20
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers, Melville United
Fin Roa Conchie played for Claudelands Rovers and Melville United as a junior. He has played for New Zealand at U-20 and U-23 level.
U-20 · U-17 · U-16
NowUniversity of Washington, NCAA, USA
WaiBOPTauranga City, Ōtūmoetai, FC Tauranga Moana
Grace Duncan played her junior and youth football at Tauranga City and Ōtūmoetai, and for FC Tauranga Moana. She started all three of New Zealand’s games at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, moved to the University of Washington in 2026 and was named in the squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPTaupō, Melville United
Charlotte Eagle played her junior football in Taupō and youth football at Melville United before joining the Wellington Phoenix in 2023. She played at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India and was in the squad for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPTauranga
Jesse Edge was born in Tauranga and played for Waikato FC and Auckland City, winning the OFC Champions League in 2016. He played for New Zealand at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and won the 2013 OFC U-20 Championship. He has since played in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Sweden. He is the nephew of former All White Declan Edge.
U-17
WaiBOPMelville United, Cambridge High School
Elin Gainsford plays for Melville United and goes to Cambridge High School. She was selected for the New Zealand squad at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco in October 2026.
U-19
WaiBOPTaupō AFC
George Green grew up in Taupō, where he played his junior football at Taupō AFC. He joined the club’s men’s reserves at 15 and quickly moved into the first team in the NRFL Southern Conference. He moved to Wellington at the start of 2025 to join the Ōlé Academy and the Western Suburbs first team, on an academic and football scholarship to Scots College for Year 13. In August 2026 he was named in the New Zealand squad for the OFC U-19 Championship in Samoa.
U-17
WaiBOPClaudelands Rovers
Goalkeeper Emily Hanrahan played for Claudelands Rovers and was in the New Zealand squad for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
U-17 · U-16
WaiBOPMelville United
Mia Humphrey plays for Melville United and goes to Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. She played for New Zealand at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Samoa in 2025, and was selected for the New Zealand squad at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in October 2026.
U-20 · U-17
NowWaterside Karori
WaiBOPNorthern United, Cambridge, Melville United
Ella McMillan played junior football at Northern United and youth football in Cambridge and at Melville United, and played futsal for the Waikato Rapids. She joined the Wellington Phoenix in 2022, played at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and was in the squad for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She now plays for Waterside Karori.
U-17 · U-16
WaiBOPMelville United
Emma Meadows plays for Melville United and goes to Hamilton Girls’ High School. She played for New Zealand at U-16 and U-17 level in 2025.
U-23
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers
George Ott played for Hamilton Wanderers, where he was scouted by the Wellington Phoenix academy. He has played for New Zealand at U-23 level.
U-17
WaiBOPFC Tauranga Moana, Mount Maunganui College
Lane Ririnui plays for FC Tauranga Moana and goes to Mount Maunganui College. She played for New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco in 2025.
U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPTauranga
Sophie Stewart-Hobbs is from Tauranga and went to Saint Kentigern College. She played for New Zealand at both the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, then went to the United States to play for the University of Kentucky.
Olympics · U-20 · U-17
WaiBOPMelville United
Adam Thomas was born in Hamilton and came through the youth teams at Melville United. He played for New Zealand at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. Injuries kept him out of the game for six years, but he came back to play for Team Wellington, Oakleigh Cannons in Australia, and Shelbourne and Galway United in Ireland.
U-15
WaiBOPMelville United, Hamilton Girls’ High School
Evie Wilson plays for Melville United and goes to Hamilton Girls’ High School. In May 2026 she was one of 16 girls selected by New Zealand Football for the OFC U-15 Girls Youth Development Tournament in Lautoka, Fiji.
U-20
WaiBOPCambridge
Chelsey Wood grew up in Cambridge and played for New Zealand at U-20 level in 2009 and 2010. She is the sister of All Whites captain Chris Wood, who also came through football in Cambridge.
U-17 · U-16
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers
Natalie Young plays for Hamilton Wanderers and goes to Cambridge High School. She played at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship and was in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
WaiBOP players who have represented New Zealand in futsal.
Futsal Ferns
WaiBOPHamilton Wanderers, Waikato Rapids
Jordana Bremner has played football for Hamilton Wanderers and futsal for the Waikato Rapids and WaiBOP. She played for the Futsal Ferns in 2023 and 2025.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPWaikato Rapids
Jordan (Jordi) Ditfort played futsal for the Waikato Rapids and was player of the series when Waikato opened the 2018 Futsal National League. He signed with Reading in England for the 2022/23 season, played for the Futsal Whites in 2024 and 2025, and was named in WaiBOP Football’s Futsal Men’s Legacy Select 5 in 2025.
Futsal Ferns
WaiBOPHamilton, WaiBOP Football
Jamie Evans moved to Hamilton for university and went on to work with WaiBOP Football. She played for the Futsal Ferns in 2024 and 2025.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPNorthern United, Ngāruawāhia United, Waikato Rapids
Corbin Fell went to Hamilton Boys’ High School and has played for Northern United and Ngāruawāhia United, as well as futsal for the Waikato Rapids. He played for the Futsal Whites in 2025.
Futsal Ferns · U-17 football
NowBloomsbury Futsal, England
WaiBOPTe Awamutu, Claudelands Rovers, WaiBOP National Women’s League
Tessa Leong started playing in the Waikato at six or seven, then moved to Te Awamutu and Claudelands Rovers, her first Northern League team. She played for WaiBOP in the National Women’s League from 2010 to 2015, and for New Zealand at U-17 level, before moving to Auckland for university, where she took up futsal. She has since become a regular for the Futsal Ferns and plays futsal in London. Her grandfather Arthur Leong was an All White.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPWaiBOP Futsal
Brayden Lissington played for the Futsal Whites from 2014 to 2016 and held a WaiBOP Futsal senior contract in 2017.
Futsal Whites
NowZVV Kroeven, Netherlands
WaiBOPWaikato Rapids
Ethan Martin played futsal for the Waikato Rapids before signing with Dutch club ZVV Kroeven. He played for the Futsal Whites in 2024 and 2025, including the 2025 OFC Futsal Nations Cup.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPBay of Plenty futsal
Dominic O’Sullivan played for the Futsal Whites in 2013 and 2014, and played for Bay of Plenty in the Futsal National League.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPSt Paul’s Collegiate School
John Penyas was a 16-year-old Year 12 student at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton when he was named in the Futsal Whites squad in 2013.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPMelville United, Northern United, Hamilton Wanderers, Waikato Rapids
Casey Sharplin went to Hamilton Boys’ High School and has played for Melville United, Northern United, Hamilton Wanderers and Unicol, as well as futsal for the Waikato Rapids. He played for the Futsal Whites in 2024 and 2025.
Futsal Whites · U-18 Futsal
WaiBOPWaikato Rapids, Hamilton Wanderers
Patrick Steele went to Hamilton Boys’ High School and played for Matamata Swifts, Cambridge FC, Ngāruawāhia United and Hamilton Wanderers, as well as futsal for the Waikato Rapids. He played for the New Zealand U-18 futsal team in 2017, helped the Rapids win the 2019 Futsal SuperLeague and has played for the Futsal Whites. He is now head coach of Bloomsbury Futsal in the UK.
Futsal Whites
WaiBOPWaikato Rapids
Cooper Wink went to Hamilton Boys’ High School and plays futsal for the Waikato Rapids. He played for the Futsal Whites in 2025.
Futsal Whites · U-18 Futsal
WaiBOPMelville United, Waikato Rapids
Logan Wisnewski went to Hamilton Boys’ High School and played for Melville United and the Waikato Rapids. He played for the New Zealand U-18 futsal team in 2017 and for the Futsal Whites in 2024 and 2025.
WaiBOP players in the reserve squads of New Zealand’s two professional clubs.
U-17
NowAuckland FC Reserves
WaiBOPMelville United
Matt D’Hotman played for Melville United and was in the New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He now plays for Auckland FC Reserves.
U-17 · U-16
NowWellington Phoenix Reserves
WaiBOPCambridge FC
Gethyn Foster played for Cambridge FC before joining the Wellington Phoenix academy in October 2025. He has played for New Zealand at U-16 and U-17 level, and in September 2026 was in the New Zealand U-17 team at the International Youth Soccer Tournament in Niigata, Japan. He is in the Wellington Phoenix Reserves squad.
U-19
NowWellington Phoenix Reserves
WaiBOPŌtūmoetai, Tauranga City
Oliver Grosso played junior and youth football in the Bay of Plenty with Ōtūmoetai and Tauranga City before moving to Wellington in 2022. He spent time with Christchurch United and is now in the Wellington Phoenix Reserves squad. He played for New Zealand at the OFC U-19 Championship in Apia, Samoa, in September 2026, where New Zealand qualified for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
U-19
NowAuckland FC Reserves
WaiBOPNorthern United, Claudelands Rovers, Hamilton Wanderers
Harley Hill is from Hamilton. He played for Northern United from 2018 to 2020, Claudelands Rovers in 2022 and then Hamilton Wanderers. He was named Most Valuable Player in the U-17 men’s grade in 2024 and signed for Auckland FC in 2026. He has played for New Zealand at U-19 level.
NowAuckland FC Reserves
WaiBOPPeachgrove Intermediate, Melville United, Waikato Rapids (futsal)
Lucca Lim played for Melville United from 2020 to 2024 and represented the Waikato Rapids in futsal. He joined Auckland United in 2025 and is now in the Auckland FC Reserves squad.
NZ age group
NowAuckland FC Reserves
WaiBOPMelville United, WaiBOP and Waikato Rapids futsal
Carlos Ranui came through Melville United and played futsal for WaiBOP and Waikato Rapids representative teams. He spent time with the Wellington Phoenix academy in 2023 and 2024, returned to Melville, and joined Auckland FC in September 2024. He has been part of New Zealand age group squads.
U-16
NowAuckland FC Reserves
WaiBOPNorthern United, Melville United, Waikato Rapids (futsal)
James Wenceslao grew up in Hamilton and played for Northern United and Melville United, as well as futsal for the Waikato Rapids. He played for New Zealand at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in the Solomon Islands in 2025 and is now in the Auckland FC Reserves squad.
Admin Login