We’re thrilled to announce open training sessions for Napier City Rovers CDL teams starting the week of 3rd February! These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to experience the environment we’re building for 2025.

Open Training Schedule:

Tuesday, 4th February: U13 Girls (Born 2012/13) & U14 Girls (Born 2011/12)

Wednesday, 5th February: U13 Boys (Born 2012/13)

Thursday, 6th February: U15 Boys (Born 2010/11)

All sessions begin at 5:30pm on Park Island at the NCR training fields next to the hockey turf.

Meet the CDL 2025 Leadership Team:

Technical Director: Chris Greatholder

Chris will oversee the programme’s methodology, planning, and periodisation, ensuring every aspect of the programme aligns with the highest standards of player development. In addition to leading coach education, Chris will focus on creating a framework that provides structure and long-term growth for both players and coaches.

Lead Coach: Stephen Hoyle

Stephen will take on a hands-on role on the grass, focusing on session planning and execution to bring the methodology to life. His role will involve working closely with players during training to ensure sessions are engaging, purposeful, and tailored to individual and team development. Providing players with an environment that challenges and inspires them to reach their full potential.

Additional NCR CDL Coaches:

We are excited to have Albion Academy coaches—passionate about doing things the Albion way—joining us for the season. These coaches bring a wealth of expertise and will fit seamlessly into the NCR CDL programme:

Nathan Seaward – U13 Boys

Daniel Storie – U15 Boys

Christine Smith – U13 Girls

Ben Quane – U14 Girls

To round out our fantastic lineup, Ben Stanley, with his masters degree in applied science and performance analysis, will act as the Athletic Lead across all four teams, supporting player development.

Want to dive deeper into what our CDL programme offers? Albion invites anyone interested to attend a free Albion Academy session during Term 1.

To register, contact: albioncoaching@gmail.com

At these sessions, you’ll work directly with the coaches involved in our CDL programme and experience the Albion methodology, helping you decide if it’s the right environment for your development.

Stay tuned! Later this week, we’ll be announcing additional programmes Rovers will run in association with Albion for 2025—offering incredible opportunities for all junior and youth members!

Article added: Thursday 30 January 2025