AusLeisure

Northland's representative football team, North Force, has moved their home games to Northland's premier sports ground, Toll Stadium.

Wecloming the move, North Force Secretary Laurence Berry explained "we are pround to be making this move.

"The move to the Region's top sports ground is part of a restructuring programme that will see greater emphasis placed on high quality football and development.

"Approaching every training and every game with a determination to win is a major objective, and it goes hand in hand with on-going development and growth of our players and coaches, and increasing the professionalism demanded of Northland's representative team.

"In the past football has been consigned to lesser grounds, supported by the football faithful but lacking the support of our wider public. This move to Toll Stadium will provide an opportunity for the people of Northland to come along and support their young team.

"And young they are, this year the average age of the North Force squad is 20 years. However we are building from the ground up and, with the support of the Northern Football Federation's Talent Centre programme, we are constantly bringing the best young talent through the grades to represent their region."

The move was also applauded by Whangarei District Council's Venues and Events Manager John Lynch who added "the Northland Events Centre Trust are pleased to have North Force make the stadium their new home ground.

"Toll Stadium has recently hosted the Christmas Festival and Whangarei Fritter Festival, Open Air Cinema events, Blues Super Rugby and a wide variety of indoor events including weddings, conferences, meetings and expos.

"We want Toll Stadium to be the home ground for all of our Northland premier sports teams including football, rugby and league.

"North Force's move once again emphasises that Toll Stadium is truly a multipurpose venue that the whole community can benefit from.

"It is vital we play our part in supporting our football community and having North Force here allows the supporters to view the home games on a top quality pitch from the comfort of the stands and enjoy the facilities we have to offer."

The first North Force hosted game at Toll Stadium was played on Saturday 13th April.

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