On Saturday at 3pm, Keri Keri Bay Builders will play Onerahi McKenzie Contracting in the 50th edition of the Stafford Choat Cup, Northland's premier men's community knockout cup. 

It's the most prized trophy in Northland's men's football - the trophy itself was donated by Stafford Choat's family as a tribute to their son and brother, a young Kamo High School student and talented footballer, who tragically drowned while saving another student's life when he was just 18.

Kamo FC's Brad Flower said "At our club, it's the one trophy you want to win, it's like the FA Cup. We have a picture of Stafford on our clubroom wall, so visiting teams can see who gave the cup its name. He's special because he's one of us, some of the parents associated with Kamo were there and looked for him when he drowned, he was a Kamo High School kid, there's a real connection." 

Stafford Choat

He's remembered at Kamo FC with a tribute:  

"Kamo lost one of its brightest young talents in a tragic drowning at Mimiwhangata Beach.

Stafford Choat was just 18, a fine young man, a treasured son and a gifted player who left a gap in many people’s lives.

To honour him, his mother Sina and his late father Rodney donated the Stafford Choat Memorial Cup and since that time Northland footballers have competed for the trophy that bears his name.

Stafford was a prefect and a sixth former in a group of Kamo High School students on a swimming trip to Mimiwhangata.

A good swimmer and a senior and to most of the students, he went out further than they did in a supervisory role but got into difficulties himself.

Another senior went to his aid, but the undertow was too strong and Stafford was carried away.

A personable and pleasant young man off the field he was a skilled and combative midfielder for Kamo on it." 

Kamo have won the Stafford Choat a record 15 times, followed by Tikipunga (8) and Keri Keri (6), who'll be hoping to add to their tally on Saturday. The Northland Community Cup Finals Weekend happens at Trigg Arena this Saturday and Sunday, you can read the full draw here. 

Stafford Choat Cup winners 

1975 Whangarei AFC

1976 Whangarei Rangers

1977 Whangarei Rangers

1978 Bream Bay United AFC

1979 Whangarei Wanders AFC

1980 Onerahi 1st Div

1981 Kamo Swifts AFC

1982 Tikipunga

1983 Madhatters

1984 Tikipunga

1985

1986 Keri Keri AFC

1987 Tikipunga

1988 Rovers

1989 Tikipunga

1990 Kamo

1991 Rovers

1992 Tikipunga

1993 Kamo Prem

1994 Whangarei City

1995 Whangarei City Prem

1996 Whangarei City

1997 Kamo Swifts

1998 Kamo Swifts

1999 FC Whangarei

2000 Keri Keri AFC

2001 Madhatters

2002 Keri Keri AFC

2003 Keri Keri AFC

2004 FC Whangarei

2005 Keri Keri AFC

2006 Kamo 

2007 Kamo

2008 Kamo

2009 Kamo

2010 Kamo

2011 Kamo

2012 Tikipunga

2013 Kamo

2014 FC Whangarei

2015 Kamo

2015 Kamo

2017 Kamo

2018 Tikipunga Pet Essentials

2019 Tikipunga Pet Essentials

2020 COVID

2021 Onerahi

2022 Keri Keri AFC

2023 FC Whangarei

2024 FC Whangarei

Article added: Friday 26 September 2025