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City visits Chapuis community
CHAPUIS, Vanuatu - Auckland City FC visited the Chapuis community and played football with just under 100 children and youth on a rainy afternoon in Santo.
The Navy Blues commitment to Oceania football has been in the club's DNA since it first began and when invited to Chapuis by Gary Medina were enthuiastic.
"It is a privilege to welcome Auckland City FC management and players to come and visit our community. Chapuis community is an initiative led by Vanuatu Football Federation especially to raise players from an early age.
"I understand in New Zealand and other pacific countries these programmes exist but here we have only just started. We believe this will be a success story for our community. This is a big honour for us to host Oceania's number one club," a Chapuis spokesman said.
Ryan De Vries signs autographs at #Chapuis community near #Luganville #Vanuatu - #VanuatuFootball Federation runs a programme and the future looks bright! #StrengthInUnity #OCL2023 pic.twitter.com/xFHBTZvdvf
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 15, 2023
General Manager Gordon Watson said the visit was arranged weeks in advance of departure to Vanuatu and kept up the club's positive reputation in the region.
"Gary spoke with us very early on in the lead up to the OFC Champions League about a visitation and Albert Riera and the squad were only too happy to do so.
"Many of our players are parents themselves and understand the need for children to have role models so we got to surface that sense of responsibility and emotion in our squad today.
VIDEO - Dylan Manickum and Albert Riera
Dylan Manickum & Albert Riera speak with children and youth of Chapuis community in Luganville Vanuatu today
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/OrH7n7jEbq
"The children and youth of Chapuis are very talented young footballers and I think we and they bonded on not only those terms but also with humour, kindness and a mutual respect.
"Chapuis community were out in force during our first game with Solomon Warriors and we are looking forward to seeing them again on Wednesday when we play Suva.
"One message we wanted to deliver here today was about dreams. Dreams and aspirations. Brian Kaltak, Vanuatu national team captain, played for Auckland City FC and is now with Central Coast Mariners and we explained to the Chapuis community what an impact he had on our team and how we gave Brian the platform to perform and reach a new level beyond our club.
Auckland City FC visit Chapuis community near #Luganville #Vanuatu #OCL2023 #NavyBlues pic.twitter.com/NT7MXt494H
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 15, 2023
"Dylan Manickum and Albert Riera each spoke very well with short messages that we hope left a positive impact and who knows maybe one day another Vanuatu player, perhaps one from Chapuis, will play for Auckland City FC or beyond," he said.
Auckland City FC is in action in the OFC Champions League against Suva on Wednesday 20 May 2023 at Luganville Soccer Stadium in what is the Navy Blues 100th game in the OFC Champions League since 2005.
The match kicks off at 3.00pm local time/4.00pm NZST.
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 |
| 2 |  | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 |  | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| 5 |  | BO | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 |  | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 |  | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| 8 |  | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| 9 |  | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 |
| 11 |  | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| 12 |  | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |
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