You will often hear the phrase "Football Family" from Centre Circle

 

This epitomises the Football Family

 

 

 

 

Arthur Stroud, NZ Goalkeeper pictured in his NZ kit, 1964

Christchurch Brother United's goalkeeper Alan Stroud in Rothmans National League Action against Masport Mount Wellington in 1986. In the background is one of the country's top referees at the time, Gary Fleet.

The match was won 2 - 1 by The Mount.

This photo was taken 5 days prior to Stroud making his All Whites debut.

 

Photo courrtesy of the New Zealand Soccer Annual 1987.

 

 

 

Stroudy is back!!!

Ben Stroud returns to  the Christchurch United First Team, captaining  the side in the 2026 Southern League Season.

A short history on our Chairman.

Centre Circle Canterbury and Joma formalise their new partnership on 31 August, ahead of the official launch on 1 September. The collaboration, supported by The Nevada Company — the new rights holders for Joma in New Zealand and Australia — will help Centre Circle deliver and support more activities across the Canterbury football community.

Press Release
Centre Circle Canterbury Powered by Joma from 1 September
Centre Circle Canterbury is proud to announce that, from 1 September, the organisation will officially be powered by Joma, marking a significant step forward in our ability to deliver and support football across the Canterbury community.


This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for Centre Circle Canterbury. Aligning with Joma — a globally recognised football and sportswear brand — will elevate our presence, strengthen our programmes, and enable us to expand the support we provide to players, coaches, referees, clubs, and football families throughout the region.
The partnership has been made possible through The Nevada Company, who have recently acquired the rights to Joma in New Zealand and Australia. Their commitment to growing the brand locally and supporting community football aligns perfectly with Centre Circle Canterbury’s mission to connect, celebrate, and strengthen the football networks.


David Steans, Managing Director of The Nevada Company (Joma), says: “We are excited to be working with Centre Circle. We are community first rather than sales first, and this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting football where it matters most.”


“Being powered by Joma takes Centre Circle to the next level,” said Centre Circle Canterbury Chair Bobby Almond. “It allows us to enhance our events, increase our community impact, and continue building a positive football culture across Canterbury.”


The partnership will include co-branded apparel, enhanced event visibility, and new opportunities to support football initiatives at all levels.


Centre Circle Canterbury looks forward to launching this collaboration on 1 September and sharing more with our members, supporters, and the wider football community.

 

Added 31 August 2026

The crowd at One New Zealand Stadium may have been a sea of yellow shirts, but it was the eleven in black on the pitch in Christchurch who were celebrating come full time in the Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup.

For Cashmere Technical, while this was technically a neutral ground, it didn’t feel like it, with both the men’s and women’s teams featuring in the cup finals, a first for the Tech women’s team.

For Eastern Suburbs, this was their first Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup final since the team lifted the trophy in 2019.

Both sides came into the game in good form, with each able to call upon the respective Golden Boot winners in their leagues: Maddi Ollington, who scored 17 times for Suburbs, and Margarida Dias, who netted 20 times for Cash Tech.

After an even start to the game, it was Suburbs who made the breakthrough.

A well-taken Erika Skindlov corner found midfielder Taylor Anderson in the box, who out-jumped her marker to head into the Cash Tech net, giving the Auckland side the lead in the 19th minute.

But Tech battled back, and a quite outstanding goal drew them level in the 37th minute.

Top scorer Dias turned provider, winning the ball back high up the pitch before passing to Anya Stephan, who unleashed an absolute rocket from well outside the box into the top corner of the Suburbs net.

The Christchurch-based side ended the first half on top, with the teams going into the break locked at 1-1.

But Tech’s period of dominance didn’t last long, with Suburbs coming out strongly after the break and reclaiming the lead after just three minutes.

After winning the ball back close to the Cash Tech box, top scorer Maddi Ollington got her shot away, which the Tech defence blocked, but the rebound fell to Anna McPhie, who looped the ball over the keeper to make it 2-1.


Less than 10 minutes later, it was 3-1.

Skindlov picked up the ball in the box, using some great close control to evade the Cash Tech defenders before finishing from a tight angle to send the cup to Auckland.

With a goal and an assist, on top of a dominant performance, Erika Skindlov was named the winner of the Maia Jackman Trophy.

FT:

Eastern Suburbs – 3 (19’ T. Anderson, 48’ A. McPhie, 52’ E. Skindlov)
Cashmere Technical – 1 (37’ Anya Stephan)
 


Source: NZ Football

Added 5 September 2026

After not hosting a Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup or Chatham Cup final since 2013, the return of the competitions to Ōtautahi Christchurch was always going to be a major event, and so it turned out as 11,267 football fans packed the stands at One New Zealand Stadium to watch Cashmere Technical take on Fencibles United.

Tech came into the final in good form, having comfortably finished top of the Southern League, 11 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

In their number 10, Garban Coughlan, they boasted the top goalscorer in the National League, with an incredible 28 goals so far this season.

For Fencibles, goals haven’t exactly been an issue either this season, netting 55 times, the second highest in the league, but the other end has been more of a challenge, conceding 36 in 22 games.

It was a cagey start to the game, with both clubs looking to create opportunities but struggling to find the breakthrough.

It wasn’t until after the half-hour mark that the match came alive, when Fencibles opened the scoring.

Liam Wessels was first to a loose ball and picked out Ronaldo Lopez Munoz on the edge of the box.

Some great close control took him past the Cashmere Tech defender before he finished low into the bottom corner of the net.

Boosted by the goal, Fencibles ended the first half the stronger, leading 1-0 at the break.

But it was Cash Tech who started the second half the stronger, peppering the Fencibles goal with chances.

Tech thought they had taken the lead when Coughlan took the ball off the Fencibles goalkeeper to finish into an empty net, but it was ruled out for a foul.

On 61 minutes, the Christchurch side finally found the net, and in spectacular fashion.

Nicholas Murphy may not be one of Cashmere’s leading scorers, but you wouldn’t know it as he controlled the ball before unleashing a rocket from well outside the box to draw the game level.

The goal boosted the Christchurch team, who came on stronger looking for a second, with good chances for their forward line.

But with 10 minutes to go, it was Fencibles who found the net.

A deep cross from captain Connor Probert met the outstretched foot of substitute Riwai Rangihuna-Stanton, but his effort deflected off the inside of the post and bounced across the goal line.

Fellow substitute Kodie Nicol was the first to the loose ball for an easy finish to give Fencibles a 2-1 lead.

Tech battled to get back into the game but couldn’t find the net, meaning the Delivereasy Chatham Cup will head to Pakuranga for the first time in Fencibles colours.

The Jack Batty Trophy was awarded to Fencibles No. 18 Liam Wessels.

FT:

Cashmere Technical – 1 (61’ N. Murphy)
Fencibles United - 2 (33’ R. Lopez Munoz, 80’ K. Nicol)

 

Source: NZ Football

Added 5 September 2026

Copyright Photosport

Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium to Host Historic Delivereasy Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup Finals  

 

 

A historic stage has been set for the Delivereasy Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup, with One NZ Stadium confirmed as the venue for the knockout cup finals.

Opened in March this year, this will be the first time the new Christchurch One NZ Stadium will host football, and the first time Christchurch has hosted a New Zealand Football knockout cup decider since 2013.

There will be no charge for entries for the two Delivereasy Cup finals on 5th September giving the whole region a chance to see so some top quality national football played inside the new venue.  

The two finals will provide Cantabrian club Cashmere Technical’s men’s and women’s teams the ability to call upon wide support after they secured qualification into both  finals.

Over the weekend Cash Tech defeated Napier City Rovers 2-1 in their Delivereasy Chatham Cup semifinal at Garrick Memorial Park in Christchurch while Cash Tech’s women’s side defeated Wellington Phoenix Reserves side by the same scoreline and at the same venue in their Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup semifinal.

The Delivereasy Chatham Cup final’s other contender will be Fencibles United following their 3-0 victory over Nelson Suburbs.

The other finalist for the Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup will be Eastern Suburbs after they beat Ellerslie 6-0 in the other semifinal.

NZ Football CEO, Andrew Pragnell, said:

“It’s fantastic to have both Knockout Cup finals be the maiden football matches held at New Zealand’s newest state of the art stadium.

“It's brilliant to have the South Island represented in the finals of both knockout cup games. With the All Whites playing India at One NZ Stadium on November 15th and our focus on securing a third A-League team the South Island it is an exciting time for football in Te Waipounamu.

“With free entries at this enticing new venue, we encourage everyone to bring the family and to come and enjoy some high-quality football and a great rivalry between clubs from Christchurch and Auckland.”

Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup:

Kick off 1pm - Cashmere Technical vs Eastern Suburbs

Delivereasy Chatham Cup Final:

Kick off 4pm - Cashmere Technical vs Fencibles United

 

Source: NZ Football

Added 18 August 2026