Brooklyn's Annual General Meeting will be on Thursday 10 December 2009, 6.30-8.30pm, upstairs in the Mezzanine Meeting Room at the Central Library.

The Club currently have a Football, Operations, Communications and Fees Working Groups reviewing how we do things. This Groups will present their recommendations at the AGM. Representation from all teams is required as we will have important decisions to make about how we will be managed in 2010.

An agenda and meeting documents will be available in early December. Apologies can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pre-season trainings for the 2010 season begins 15 November 2009. Trainings are open to anyone who is thinking about joining the club or simply wants to improve their skills. Contact Coach Steve Dimakis on 0274 553 603 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Sunday, 2.30pm, at Prince of Wales Park (lower field). All welcome. (Sunday 15 November - 13 December 2009)

BNU is keen to contribute to development of the women's game. Level 3 qualified coach, Sandy Aitchison will be running skills and development training for both BNU players and those from other clubs over the off season. Contact Niki O'Connor on 027 224 3566 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Sunday, 4.00pm, at Prince of Wales Park (lower field). All welcome. (Sunday 15 November - 13 December 2009)

Congratulations to BNU16’s John ‘Kaka’ Lee for scooping the Club Golden Boot Trophy at this year’s Club Night. His phenomenal strike rate of 20 goals in 14 games helped the team finish in a respectable fourth spot,
whilst rivals Pints earned the mantle of worst team in Capital Soccer by propping up the table and indeed the entire League.

BACK ROW: Silky Skills Smithy, Ginger Ninja Pearce (Most Improved Player), Ritchie Brokeback Fail,
Doug Freddie Hammond (Player of the Year), John Kaka Lee (Golden Boot)
FRONT ROW: Little Mike Huish, Gaffer Page, Big Mike Bransfield

Get your best threads on, get your dancin' shoes on and get down to the BNU end of season prizegiving!

Date: Saturday, 12 September 2009
Time: 6.30pm
Place: Mornington Golf Club, 570 Adelaide Road, Berhampore
Cost: $20.00

6.00pm drinks and nibbles, 7.00pm awards, 9.00pm onwards music and general mayhem.

You know it makes sense.

The final three playoff games could not have been tougher fixtures and with 20-goal man Kaka plastered for 6 weeks the Brooklyn challenge for the Grade 16 Championship frustratingly stumbled on the run-in.

First, a disappointingly toothless display against leaders Kittenz at Miramar, resulted in a 0-3 defeat, with all three goals being scrappy affairs. While the defence makes a series of uncharacteristic blunders,  the attack was almost non-existent, although Silky Skills spurned one gilt-edged chance...

Next up was a humbling 1-5 defeat against the Greeks at MacAlister, tasting all the more bitter after actually taking a 1-0 lead. Tinkerman Gaffer Page shouldered some blame here, after switching from a largely successful 4-4-2 formation, to a more attacking 4-3-3. The midfield trio were outgunned and with typical refereeing, plus a multitude of subs constantly lined up along the touchline, it looked & felt like Brooklyn were up against, at least, 16 players for the majority of the game.

So to the final encounter against the youthful Porirua City side. Was it to be a Happy Valley or a Crap Creek?
Will Li belatedly left it to the very last game to finally come good and the Gaffer came off the bench to set up Striker Deacon for a well-deserved 2-0 victory.

A solid team performance capping a great first season together. Well done lads & here's your End of Term Report...

BNU Womens B Vs Wainuiomata - 3 all draw

After a lovely summery weekend the clouds came over the Wainuiomata pitch.  Being the last game of the season BNU was amped for a win.  Going out strong the first half showed domination and control from BNU with plenty of shots on goal.  The growing team dynamics continued with lots of passing and calling.  Jules and Aphra got plenty of running and shooting practise.  But it was Wainui who scored first when their star player fondly referred to as Little Miss Slide tackle outran the BNU defence.  BNU took the wake up call and responded quickly with two goals in quick succession from Jo and then Jules.

Little Miss Slide Tackle was on form being rough and sneaky, but she picked the wrong defender this weekend!! She didn't like the fact she was struggling to get round our Player of the Day Anita so thought it was appropriate to call her names.  Anita raised this with the ref who was not prepared to do anything.  However revenge is sweet and it came in the form of a face plant of epic proportions!! Completely unintentional but satisfying all the same.  Anita happened to be running with her and in an attempt to kick the ball away tripped her accidentally.  They did get a penalty but didn't capitalise and with tempers flaring Little Miss Slide Tackle retired to the bench.  Then it was half time with the score 2-1 to us.

After half time Wainui came back strong scoring 2 goals and stealing the lead from under our noses with two strong runs sneaking past the defenders.  Trying to stay composed BNU managed to control the ball and keep taking opportunities but not able to come away with the points.  Aphra had some great runs escaping Wainui defence but timing the strike slightly late as defenders boxed her in.  Wendy also had some great shots from the wings and provided crucial plays in setting up and making the cross.  Jo did some great running as usual in mid field and her aggression and determination was to be admired winning all 50/50 ball within a 20 metre radius.  In the final 10 minutes I managed to sneak the equaliser after being moved up front with a slight tap in the right direction after a great pass into space just as the keeper was coming out.  Alas there were no further goals to gain the lead but some hard fought action trying.

Toni had some great saves and strong kicks.  Anna also had a strong boot kicking some great goal kicks.  All in all it was a great team effort and again the score not a true reflection of the game with the BNU curse of converting shots on goal plaguing us.  Oh well :( what should of been a win was still well played and pride can be taken from the continuing team effort and improved team play.  Training must be paying off - Thanks Daniel!!

North Wellington Stella 3 v BNU16 5

Brooklyn Down Stella

North Wellington Stella were reassuringly uncompromising as per usual, but were finally downed by BNU at Discovery Park. Missing both Little Mike and Big Mike it looked like trouble was brewing as the defence lacked its normal composure and domination and a must win game for Brooklyn began badly when Stella went ahead through a scrappy opening goal, resulting from a failure to clear a corner.

However, we all like a good head, especially Ginger Ninja’s and when JP powered home a pinpoint Bandana Boy corner on the half hour mark, things began to taste much better. A superb finish to impress his old man watching from the sideline…

Despite Stella’s niggles, shoves, trips and general attempts to stir the mash, football was to win out in the second period. First Kaka Lee burst into the area only to be upended by the keeper. He dusted himself down and cooly sank the penalty. However, a similar attempt only monents later, saw the sparkling striker go down like a sack of malt onto the deck and he was helped off to take no further part. A worrying sign for the tough fixture run-in ahead.

The Stella defence was beginning to get all of a froth as Kaka’s stike partner Twinkletoes Guan stepped up to lead the line superbly. First he weaved his way into the box and finished expertly to make it 3-1 and moments later was comprehensively rugby tackled when about to line up another. The defender, for some reason, was hopping mad at the decision, but fair play to the ref who had no doubt in making the correct call. Bandana Boy stepped up to drill the penalty under the keeper’s despairing dive.

At 4-1 up the lads began dreaming of enjoying a well earned pint, but Stella grabbed two further scrappy goals, giving them a taste of what would have been an undeserved victory. The match was finally put to bed when MOM Twinkletoes was set free by a superb pass from Rock Steady Garland and the Chinese master slotted home goal number 5 past the onrushing keeper…

Every game is becoming like a cup final in the final run-in. Should the boys tame the Kittenz and go on to take the title, then there’s going to be one helluva party. Let’s hope Kaka Lee is there to play a part…

Capital Football have asked us to post this on our website - please take a moment to have a read of it:

To all senior clubs,

Please see the letter attached to this email.

This season we have received a number of complaints about disorderly conduct from spectators on the sidelines of games. A common theme among many of these complaints has been the consumption of alcohol. Obviously this is as concern, and so we have decided to write to clubs to see if collectively we can go some way to addressing this problem.

The attached letter should be self-explanatory.

I realise that the season is winding down, but I’d be grateful if you could put a copy of this letter on your club website, and also distribute it to team managers/coaches and any other club officials who you consider appropriate.

We will renew the communication at the commencement of next season.

Many thanks
Grant Herman

Alcohol Consumption on Sideline (PDF)

Wellington Utd Legends 1 v BNU16 1

Legends Foil Bid for Straight 10

Grade 16 has a Top 6 Playoff Competition and what a great round of games it promises to be! BNU16 are proudly participating after a run of 9 straight wins, in which the team has scored 30 goals and conceded just 5. However the bid for a straight 10 was foiled by a determined and skillful Legends side at Miramar. In what was always going to bean enthralling encounter, the outcome was in doubt right until the final whistle, with both sides guilty of spurning some gift-wrapped chances late on.

After an evenly balanced first twenty-five minutes, Legends went ahead when a miscued place kick from keeper Doug ‘Freddie’ Hammond was pounced on by an alert Legends striker and despite a desperate effort by Little Mike to clear the danger, the ball was rammed low into the corner of the net.

With skipper Silky Skills looking and unfortunately playing distinctly under par, a tough decision  was made early in the game to replace him with Scotty B, but we’ll put this down to a managerial master-stoke, as the scouser began to boss the midfield right from his first touch. Meantime, Angus ‘Striker’ Deacon manufactured a couple fine chances, the best of which was drilled too straight at keeper Zoff.

Five minutes before the break, a superb move down the left  involving Scotty, Yankee Chris & Kaka Lee ended with Twinkle-Toes finishing expertly at the near post. A great time to get the equaliser, leaving everything to play for in the second half.

The game to continued to flow from end to end but BNU were guilty in particular of some wayward long range efforts. Dangerman, 19-goal Kaka, continued to be constantly guarded by at least two Legends defenders, but the game was there for taking as the home side began to visibly tire, became increasingly panicky at the back and lost their composure going forward. They still managed to create two clear opportunities, one hopelessly miscued, the other rolling just wide. The late introduction by yours truly, in a clear attempt at grabbing all the glory by scoring the winner, failed miserably.

At the end of pulsating encounter, probably a fair result, but nevertheless, a great all round squad effort and a richly-deserved point. We say farewell and thanks for a limited, but a vital contribution, to Yankee Chris who is now homeward bound.

Women's B Vs Naenae - Nil all draw!!!

With a crisp but fine Wellington winters day we always knew it was going to be a good game... With the game transferred to another park where there were no changing rooms open it made an interesting start.  In typical women's soccer fashion we all managed to get changed in cars, toilets or sideline.  Our goalie was feeling her knees during warm up causing a few nerves to how that might impact the game but as it turns out Toni got player of the day with some great saves and had her first clean slate as goalie!! well done Toni!!!

Naenae have always been a team to beat with our last two games against them being close losses.  We hit the pitch with spirits high and lots of talking determined to get our goals on the table early.  We had some good shots on goal from Wendy and Jules, thanks to lots of accurate passing and hard work from the mid fielders Jo and Jacqui.  There were a few feisty runners that kept the backs on their toes (I have the bruises and lumps to prove it!!).  Naenae were not without their chances but thanks to some good pressure and aggressive tackling the backs were able to shut down the Naenae attack.  Toni also had a hand in the Naenae attack by coming out from the goal and stoping all that came her way.  Then just before half time Marie from Naenae (we all know her name after everyone yelled goodbye to the ambulance) tripped over herself on the side line trying to keep the ball in and broke her leg!! that stopped the game for a few minutes... we tried to take advantage of the opportunity with Naenae one player down, as a Naenae spectator kitted up, but before we knew it the half time whistle blew.

The second half we went on determined not to let our usual drop in mojo happen and the determination paid off!! We were beginning to dominate being able to take our time with the ball and pass with ease.  This half our mid fielders got a few more chances at goal as well as our wings, with Meg running the ball in the left side, and Catherine getting a few shots at goal as well.  Jo and Jacqui also managed to get in the action but it was a bit like the curse we had in the Petone game where all the shots were close but no cigar!!!  At the end of the second half Jules took her usual boot at goal and had the most unlucky of the day's misses with two shots within centimetres and one hitting the far post and coming back into play. Naenae did have their chances in the second half and again Toni stood up and made the saves and the backs had to make a few mad dashes to get back as a few Naenae attackers made their way through but to no avail.

While we can say we played well and should of scored Naenae had their chances and the game came down to good goal keeping on both sides and some great football all round.  We were happy with the draw and only slightly unsatisfied that all our shots missed but the great teamwork made it feel like a win.  Once again Football was the winner on the day!!

BNU16 1 v Porirua City 0

“Hello, hello, it’s good to be back, it’s good to be back”

Player-manager, Nick Page began playing his footie back in the seventies when Gary Glitter was the king of Glam Rock. Having only played 30 minutes since Easter Saturday, he made the call to be the replacement for absent goal-machine John ‘Kaka’ Lee. At the end of the game and after lasting the full 90 minutes, he was heard chanting “It’s good to be back”.

Interestingly(?)enough, Nick is actually related to disgraced showman Glitter, AKA Paul Gadd, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK. “My Granddad’s Niece married his Father. Rock’n’Roll Part 1 is in my Top 10 Pop Classics, but who really wants to associated with loopy paedophile”, he quipped.

By a strange twist of Capital Soccer fixture-fate, BNU staged their home fixture against a youthful Porirua City side in their own backyard at Cannons Creek. The first half ended goalless, despite Brooklyn having far greater possession. There were a few too many long balls being hit and shots that did find the target were too close to the Porirua keeper. However, this BNU side has now developed a winning mentality, with players having the confidence to press on and secure important victories.

As the second period progressed, a series of openings were carved out, both down the right, through the fresh legs of Angus Deacon and down the left, via the increasingly dominant American import, Chris Shepherd. Midway through the half, good combination play resulted in Nick producing an inviting deep cross, which MOM Chris lashed into the top corner of the net from just inside the box. A goal worthy of winning any game.

A spirited response from Porirua followed, but the combination of wayward finishing and sound defensive play by the BNU back line, ensured that this hard fought game was going to end one-nil to the Brooklyn. A special mention to Richie Fail, who started on the bench this week, but ended up reffing for a full game and did a great job. So it’s 9 straight wins for the team – is this getting close to some sort of club record?

The less said about this match, the better…

Kapiti 6 – BNU 0

One (non-rude) word that sums up our first game back after a four week hiatus is ‘disappointing’.  It’s safe to say that the youngsters from Kapiti showed us how to do it in some very cold and miserable conditions.  Highlights were few and far between with lots of scary action in our box, little attacking action in their box and not to mention a very dubious passing game… aargh.  Oh, and you could count the number of BNU shots on one hand (or was it one finger???).

And so it was that BNU found themselves 4-0 down at half time.  For at least the second time this season, we were subjected to some tough love from our coach, but it was all to no avail as we failed to capitalise on his advice and the final score line ended as a 6-0 drubbing.  Ouch!  There was no celebratory communal shower this week – oh no – instead, we skulked back to the bar with our muddy legs and saved any steamy sud action for the privacy of our own homes...

BUT, onto the positives… a great big thank you to our ring-ins for playing – Naomi and Kate both had their first competitive game of the season (it was a bit of a baptism by fire, but both put up a good fight and survived unscathed).

AND, one person who didn’t hide her light under a bushel was Ari – always solid in defence, chasing down every ball, and getting in the way of every attacking play that Kapiti could throw at us.  There was never any doubt that she should romp home with the coveted ‘player of the day’ title.  We also have it on good authority that she may be considering coming out of early retirement to grace us with her presence in the 2010 season… watch this space!

FINALLY, any squad members who fancy a bit of social action, please mark Friday 24 July in your diaries… The plan is to head to The Green Man from 5.30ish – apparently they do a good pizza and there are lots of ‘hot’ boys – why go anywhere else??? ☺

BNU16 4 v North Wellington Stella 0

Just as Dudley Moore's character mentions that Bo Derek's character is an "11" on a scale from 1 to 10, the same could be said for BNU’s John Lee after an awesome performance against North Wellington Stella at Crawford. The young striker turned in a perfect display, demonstrating a full repertoire of classic centre forward play, bagging all four goals in a comprehensive 4-0 victory. He even coughed up $50 of outstanding match fees before the kick off! However the result was by no means a one man show and there were any number of solid and skilful displays throughout the team, from keeper Doug Hammond, through stalwart defender Richie Fail, to silky skills skipper Smithy (try saying that after few Tuatara Ardennes) plus JL’s strike partner, twinkle-toes Stephen Guan.

With the influential Bandana Boy AWOL in Palmy, new recruit Scotty Bissell slotted ably into the vacant centre midfield spot and even the early loss of the dominant Mike B with ‘rowers cramp’ failed to disrupt the home side’s momentum, as the ever-dependable Hamish G came on to have an excellent game at the back. There was also a promising, but belated, seasonal debut for Chris Shepherd in midfield, who managed to find time between sailing, snowboarding and any other outdoor pursuit beginning with ‘s’ to slot in a game of the only really important one - soccer.

A great afternoon’s entertainment, resulting in 8 wins on the bounce and pushing the team into joint 4th position in the table - almost as good as watching Bo Derek run along that beach.

BNU16 2009

Back Row: Scotty Bissell, Chris Shepherd, Richie Fail, Doug Hammond, Mike Bransfield, Charles Smith (captain), John Lee, Nick Page (manager)

Front Row: Joseph Pearce, Angus Deacon, Hamish Garland, William Li, Mike Huish, Steve Gillespie, Stephen Guan (AWOL Carl Roberts)

North Wellington 1 v BNU16 2

Striker nails North Wellington

BNU’s very own media star Angus Deacon and creator of Striker, the new Team Wellington mascot, morphed into his own creation at Alex Moore Park.

Always a consistent threat down the right flank, he capped a man-of-the match performance with a well taken winning goal, midway through the second half of a scrappy encounter.

Playing with the strong southerly in the first half BNU enjoyed plenty of possession and deservedly went ahead after 15 minutes when a low drilled cross from yours truly resulted in a penalty decision for deliberate handball. With goal machine John Lee in prime form, there was never a doubt about the outcome. Further chances were few and far between, although Carl Roberts did strike the crossbar direct from one of a series of corners swung in from the left. Having spent a couple of seasons with the home side, I recognized a stalwart defender, complete with double knee straps, who would normally be with their front Masters side. This guy almost singlehandedly kept North Wellington in the game and he was convinced that, after the break, with the wind in their favour, the deficit would be wiped out.

Although North Wellington did have more of the game in the second period they seldom looked like creating serious chances. BNU adapted well to the difficult conditions with a shorter passing game and worked several openings with good wing play on both sides of the park. It was from one of these raids down the left that Striker was on hand to double the lead when, as the keeper flapped at a cross, he calmly hooked the ball home from just inside the box. The value of this goal was proven when, with the very last kick of the game, a half clearance fell to a North Wellington midfielder who thumped in an unstoppable shot off the underside of the crossbar from all of 25 yards.

BNU women's B 3-1 Loss to Petone Pulse

The Sunday morning early game proved a bit much for what can only be described as an unlucky game :( BNU women's B started strong  with a load of shots on goal and some really great team work dominating the possession in the first 20 minutes.  Petone started a player short but soon picked up the pace with some higher grade recruits.  BNU had all the opportunities in the first half with all shots at goal ending up near misses and a dedicated Petone goalie getting down and dirty to stop the goals.  There was even a fumbled ball from the goalie which could of (should of) ended up a goal but with a lot of slipping and sliding and Petone defence backing up their goalie, it wasn't to be.

Are you a community organisation looking for more space? Do you want to be part of a sport and recreation umbrella group? 

BNU would like to partner with suitable community organisations to:

• develop the club’s central Wellington gymnasium into a community recreation facility, and 
• establish an umbrella organisation to manage this asset and provide administrative, financial, and sport development services.

For queries about the expression of interest project or to arrange a time to view the gymnasium please contact Heather Cotton, Property Advisor – Recreation Reserves at Wellington City Council on (04) 499 4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Expressions of interest close 5pm, Friday, 31 July 2009. More Information

Hello Everyone,

Over the last few months the Committee has been looking at options for the gymnasium development.

This investigation has shown that a partnership with other organisations is the most viable way of developing the building and can offer the club a number of other benefits as well.

In short, the idea is to establish a partnership for the use and management of the gym so that we will continue to have the use of the facility in the long term. In addition, BNU will receive assistance from the partnership to manage the club. The club will remain a separate entity.

BNU16 2 v Wellington Utd Legends 0

St John to the rescue!

As dusk approached on MacAlister 2, two teams were still seen battling it out in an excellent game that would not have not looked out of place a dozen grades higher. Sadly, one Legends player missed the concluding 30 minutes of the encounter, after suffering a nasty shoulder dislocation. We agreed to leave him prone on the field of play, covered him with trackies and dialed 111.