After more than a decade of hard work and planning, Tikipunga FC has celebrated the opening of a new Northland Football hub with a full day of fun festival football action.

The newly completed Northland Football Hub is a major step forward for the region, providing a high-quality facility that will benefit the entire football and wider Northland community. It offers dedicated spaces for the development of players, coaches, and referees, while also serving as an improved permanent home for Tikipunga Football Club.

The hub will be regularly used by both Northland FC and Northern Region Football, and support a growing player base at Tikipunga Football Club with enhanced facilities. Featuring a renovated main clubroom now known as the Gibson Lounge, a new conference room named the Nyssen Lounge, Six brand-new changing rooms and a brand-new covered deck overlooking the fields, alongside new storage facilities and office spaces.

Renovated main clubroom - Gibson Lounge

On Saturday, 26th April, as many Tikipunga FC teams as possible played from home alongside the First Kicks festival. They were joined by a match of walking football between the Funders & Contractors team versus the Hub Team, celebrating all those involved who brought the venue to life.

The event was attended by members of Northern Region Football, Northland Football Club, Tikipunga Association Football Club, along with representatives of sponsors, project partners, and the Whangārei Mayor - Vince Cocurullo, marking a truly special moment for the Northland football community.

Winning Walking Football Team - Funders & Contractors

Walking Football - Team Hub

Tikipunga FC thanked the Steering Committee of: Dave Alabaster, Andy Bax, Vicki Campbell, Trevor Griffiths, James Hynes, Ben Lee, Don McDonald-Spice, and Bryce Taylor. "This team committed many long hours voluntarily to this project. Their passion and relentless drive were critical in pushing this project across the finish line."

The journey to this stage began back in 2012, when the idea for a new, central football space in Northland became apparent. To create a fun, inclusive environment where football could thrive.

In 2017, a Heads of Agreement for the new hub was signed by Northern Region Football, Northland Football Club and Tikipunga Football Club. Officially getting the planning and development of a new Northland Football Hub underway.

Construction and upgrade to the new football hub began in late 2024, finishing on time and within budget. Tikipunga FC gave credit to Scope the project managers and Canam the construction company, "for their outstanding commitment and professionalism in bringing this vision to life.

Tikipunga FC also thanked the generous support of the project funders, Northland Regional Council, Lotto New Zealand, Foundation North, Grassroots Trust, Sport NZ and the Whangarei District Council. "With their help, we were able to turn this dream into reality."

Looking ahead, there are plans underway for a new artificial turf pitch which is scheduled to begin construction at the end of 2025. This addition will further enhance the Football Hub, providing a world-class surface for players year-round and ensuring even more opportunities for growth and development within the Northland football community.

Thank you to Tikipunga FC for providing the story and Karen Maisey for the photos.

Article added: Wednesday 28 May 2025