214 days ago

PHOENIX NOW HAS CLAWS

Michael from Trentham

Both men's and women's senior Phoenix professional football teams from Wellington whose training base is at the Heretaunga sports institute, won their matches today at Auckland's Mt Smart. And both defeated teams at or near the top of their A-League competitions prior to today.

This would have been unheard of in the last two seasons when our women's team was formed and the men had been struggling prior to that of the 2022-23 season.

It is as if the imminent formation of Auckland-based teams to rival the Phoenix club as NZ's representatives in the Australian leagues, is a spur to go so much better this season than ever before. I think the women Phoenix had not won as many games in the league in both past seasons combined as this season which is only in its sixth round.
Meanwhile Phoenix men have never done as well as early as in this season's comp since it was formed 15 years or so ago.

No longer are these teams regarded as walk-overs and they have gained the respect of the Australians including their referees who largely though not completely now treat Phoenix evenhandedly.

The coaching has a lot to do with the new found success of both Phoenix teams - as well as the world class facilities in Upper Hutt. Something by the way that the Auckland Black Knights football teams will lack.

I was at the Tuki Cafe at the sports institute last Friday and this little gem of a cafe is just another reason for the plaudits given to this amenity.

Funny enough, a few weeks ago I had a brief conversation with former economist whizz Gareth Morgan. One of the owners of the Phoenix club, Morgan has some excellent ideas about cats in restricting their opportunities to kill birds. Morgan also wanted Phoenix to loosen its defensive shackles and play an entertaining, attacking style all those years ago. Happy to say that Morgan's ambitions for Phoenix and its supporters came to fruition and these days they play crowd pleasing, goal scoring football.

More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Is it still rude to wear a hat inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Times have changed and perhaps so has our societal rules around taking off hats when indoors. What are your thoughts?

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Is it still rude to wear a hat inside?
  • 73.8% Yes, take them off indoors
    73.8% Complete
  • 25% No, it's not anymore
    25% Complete
  • 1.2% Other - I'll share below
    1.2% Complete
2203 votes
14 hours ago

Here's a mystery at your doorstep: Solve this riddle neighbours!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What cannot talk but will always reply when spoken to?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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G
11 hours ago

What's On: THE WAIKANAE BEACH INDOOR MARKET

Gary from Waikanae

Enjoy a Sunday Family day out in Kapiti and visit this great Community Market which has highly talented stallholders showcasing a huge variety of quality, reasonably priced items/ GIFTS .
THE WAIKANAE BEACH INDOOR MARKET
  • Waikanae Beach Community Hall