Peter Smith Football CoachForce Officer Sport Bay of Plenty

This year has kicked off how 2013 finished – with football being at the forefront of our thoughts.

WaiBoP United, the local franchise club, has been competing in the ASB Premiership – with games being held in the Bay of Plenty as well as in Cambridge. The Bay venues are proving to be very lucky for the club, with a 2-1 win against Canterbury United recorded at the Rotorua International Stadium in November and a 3-1 victory being gained against Wanderers SC at the start of the month at Links Ave.

Mount Maunganui-based Sophie Stewart-Hobbs looking to gain selection for New Zealand Girl's U17 Squad for the World Cup in Coasta Rica.

The Bay of Plenty is being represented in the WaiBoP United Squad by Jack McNab, Thomas Probert and Wade Molony.

The Young Football Ferns – New Zealand Girl's U17 Squad – will be competing in the U17 World Cup, to be held in Cost Rica commencing on March 15.

The Bay of Plenty will hopefully be represented with Mount Maunganui-based Sophie Stewart-Hobbs looking to gain selection for NZ's world cup squad after having just returned from the New Zealand Tour of USA, where she faced Japan, China and hosts United States. Selection would be a remarkable feat for Sophie, who if selected will still only be 15 – as she's not turning 16 until May.

The Junior Ferns – the New Zealand U20 Girls Squad – will be competing in the U20 World Cup being held in Canada from August 5-24.

Later this year the world cup will be held in Brazil – the tournament kicking off on June 12 with the final being played on July 13. This will be a fantastic tournament with the world's most talented players on show for all to see.

Host country Brazil will be looking to win the world cup for a record breaking sixth time, but they will face stiff competition from powerhouses Spain and Germany.

On the local talent scene, trials have just been held for selection to the Federation High Performance Talent Centre's being held across the Waikato Bay of Plenty Region – as we continue to unearth and develop the next All White or Football Fern.

The centre's operate in Tauranga, Whakatane and Rotorua, with regular development games being held against elite players from Auckland Football and Northern Football.

Coach education is also a key priority for Waikato Bay of Plenty Football in 2014 with courses being planned for across the entire Bay of Plenty Region. For further information check out www.waibop.co.nz