News

Keep an eye out for Papakura this McNamara Cup season as they begin life under new coaches Jarrod Firth and Mark Thomas.

The two co-coaches are hell-bent on creating a new culture at the club and are focusing on setting high standards on and off the park.

With some young players coming through, rival coaches are tipping them to be a team on the improve in 2023.

“We have an awesome group of men at Papakura, who are really responsive to our high expectations, on and off the field,” Thomas told Counties Sports Hub.

“ A positive team culture and being open to learning has been the cornerstone of our pre-season. 

“There have been some poor technical habits and behaviours that have been allowed to go unchecked in recent years, but we are certainly addressing these with an expectation of personal accountability and a team-first mentality. 

“We are certainly expecting to win back some respect from our opposition and restore some pride in 2023.”

Papakura enjoyed a first-up win over Auckland’s Papatoetoe in the Wider Auckland Club Knock Out competition last weekend and face North Harbour’s Kumeu in Kumeu on Saturday.