It was a homecoming of sorts for Christchurch United footballer Riley Grover at Nelson Suburbs on Sunday.
The Nelson-born and Upper Moutere-raised, 1.76m tall defender was announced as a signing for the new South Island United squad which will play in the OFC professional league which kicks off next month.
“I am super excited and super grateful for the chance,” enthuses the 21-year-old, who took part in a junior training session at Saxton Field before the rain set in.
Riley started at Suburbs as a 10-year-old and later joined the Paul Ifill Football Academy.
When the former Wellington Phoenix star winger returned north, a then 14-year-old Riley followed.
He transferred to Rathkeale College and played for Paul’s Wairarapa United side.
“I actually did start out as an attacker but somehow got shoved to the back as the short ones often do,” Riley quips.
He again went with Paul when he moved to Christchurch United and mixed footballing with horticulture studies at Lincoln University.
“It made sense as I grew on a hop farm, but my parents have since sold it,” says the former New Zealand age grade representative, who enjoys his trips back to Nelson to play at Saxton Field.
Australian-Samoan forward Dauntae Mariner, who has spent the past two seasons at Suburbs, has also been snapped up by the Christchurch-based South Island United.
“Dauntae was the only trialist we signed. He was impressive,” says coach Rob Sherman, who has been extensively involved in football on both sides of the Tasman.
The Welshman arrived in New Zealand in 2007 and his latest role was guiding the Fijian national team, which was ideal grounding for the new OFC.
The other seven sides contesting the new competition are Auckland FC, a different squad to the A-league team, South Melbourne, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.
The South Island’s first match is against Auckland FC at Eden Park on 17 January.
“We don’t have any home games in the first season,” confirms Rob, who was a Cardiff City product.
“That Pacific travel will be tough, especially playing in the heat,” says Riley.
Once the six- month OFC campaign concludes, players will be encouraged to return to their regional clubs.
“We want to co-operate with them,” concludes Rob.
