Coastal Spirit & St. Albans and Shirley FC Join Forces Across the Youth and Senior Space

The upcoming 2022 Mainland Football Winter Season will mark the beginning of a historic partnership between two Christchurch-based clubs. 

Coastal Spirit FC and St Albans Shirley FC first began working together in earnest for the 2020 Winter Season, as teams were entered into the WPL and CWCL competitions comprising of female, youth and senior players from both clubs, with both teams enjoying great success.

Building upon that early success, the 2021 season saw the joint enterprise expand into the boy’s youth competition, with U13 and U14 teams enjoying a successful season playing under the Coastal Spirit SASFC badge for the first time. Following end-of-season discussions, it has now been agreed that all Girls Youth, CWCL,  Boys Youth CDL, Men’s Division 1, and Men’s and Women’s Premier teams will be a joint enterprise between the two clubs.

Open trials to take place early in 2022

Junior and social grade football will continue to be hosted by the individual clubs in 2022 , with the ability to work together where it benefits the players & teams. Open trainings/trials will be held as normal in February and are open to all players, as new squads will be selected under the auspices of coaches from SASFC and Coastal Spirit as we seek to further strengthen our presence in these competitions.

Coastal Spirit Director of Football Gary Bennett said that there would be exciting times ahead for both clubs, adding ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for players and coaches to come together to develop and move the game forward in the region’. 

SASFC Director of Football Juan Chang was similarly upbeat: ‘Having a complete pathway from Juniors to Premier Football has been our goal from day one and we are very pleased to be joining forces with Coastal Spirit. This is a brilliant opportunity for all of our girls and boys.