Snells teen makes Samoan youth squad

A talented Snells Beach teen has just spent a month in the tropics taking part in the Oceania Football Confederation U-17 Championships, after being selected to play for Samoa in mid-December.

Cayden Steffener is 16 and a Kiwi, but qualifies for Samoa as he has close family ties there, including the fact that his father was born in the capital, Apia.

He was spotted by Samoan scouts as he played for Auckland City FC’s U-15 squad last season and flew to a training camp on December 28 as one of the youngest players in the team. He travelled to Fiji with the squad on January 9, closely followed by his parents and other family supporters from NZ, before the tournament kicked off on January 12.

After losing 3-0 to Fiji in the opening match, Samoa trounced Tonga 6-0 in the next game and made it through to the quarter finals on Saturday, January 21, but were unfortunately knocked out by New Caledonia, who won 4-0.

While gutted at the loss, Steffener said he was excited to have been chosen for the Samoan squad and to have had the bonus opportunity to learn a bit more about his family’s heritage and culture.

“Playing other international teams was an amazing experience for me and a great challenge for my personal development as a football player,” he said.

The Oceania Championships are not the first international tournament Steffener has played in – he was also selected for an under-12 world club competition in South Korea a few years ago, after a scout for the Wynton Rufer Academy (WYNRS) spotted him playing for Warkworth 12th grade.

He started playing for the WYNRS Academy team, Metro United, then moved to Auckland FC U-14 and U-15 squads before being picked for Samoa U-17.

His dad, Shaun Steffener, is well known locally as a former Warkworth player and junior coach. He coached Cayden from

Auckland Area Sea Watch

grade 6 to 12 and says he showed promise from an early age, and now playing professionally is his dream.

“He certainly wants to pursue it and I’ve got lots of contacts,” he says. “He was selected two years in a row for a national travelling team that was due to go to Melbourne and Thailand, but they were cancelled because of covid, and the team ended up playing a national tournament instead, with matches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.”

He says the Oceania tournament was a difficult in some ways for Cayden, but good experience.

“This tournament has been mentally tough,” he says. “The Australian and Kiwi players are coming into a very basic set-up there. It’s a long way from what we do in NZ and Australia.”

Now that the championship is over for Steffener, his next focus is on trials to get into the Auckland FC U-17 team next month.

1 Warkworth Liaison Group meeting, Warkworth RSA downstairs meeting room, 7.30pm

2 Mahurangi Artist Network Art Trail, Opening Exhibition, Warkworth Town Hall, 6-8pm

2 Shaun Kirk, Leigh Sawmill, 7pm (see story p22)

3 Vineyards in the Village, Matakana Farmers’ Market, 4.30-7.30pm (see story p21)

3-6 Mahurangi Artist Network Art Trail Various artist studio and gallery locations Trail guide and info: https://www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com/art-trail-23

4 The 146th Paparoa A&P Show, Paparoa Valley Road, 9am. Woodchopping, equestrian, team roping, trade stalls, water slide, fun , dog sports, and more

4 Mega Matakana Garage Sale, Community Hall, Matakana Valley Rd, 10am12pm. Donations of items for sale to be delivered to the hall on Friday, February 3, between 4pm and 6.30pm (see story p22)

4 Summer Classic 2023, Ascension Wine Estate, 4pm

5 Waipu car and bike show, Caledonian Park, 10am-2pm

6 Waitangi Day Celebration, Te Hana Te Ao Marama Marae, 10am-2pm. Live music, market stalls, food and hangi. All welcome. Info: 423 8701

6 Kiwi Guardians Day, Goat Island, 10am-4pm. Info: www.eventbrite.com (see story p20)

8 Warkworth’s 170th Anniversary coordination meeting, Bridgehouse Lodge, 5.30pm. Representatives of any community organisation/group who are planning an event this year are welcome. Come join the celebration.

10 Life & Times of the Leigh Sawmill, Warkworth Museum, 10-11am Talk by Carolyn Cooper. Entry $5; bookings essential. Info: warkworthmuseum@xtra. co.nz (see brief p20)

10 Vineyards in the Village, Matakana Farmers’ Market, 4.30-7.30pm (see story p21)

11 Warkworth & Districts RSA Market, 8am-1pm

11-12 Mahurangi Arts Network Trail. Info: https://www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com/ art-trail-23

15 The Frank Burkitt Band, Whangateau Hall, 7.30pm

17 Vineyards in the Village, Matakana Farmers’ Market, 4.30-7.30pm (see story p21)

18 Youth Clubs and Groups day presented by Warkworth Library, Old Masonic Hall, Warkworth, 10am-2pm

18 Matakana Opera Picnic, Ward Road, Matakana, 5.30pm (see story p23)

19 Andy Buchinger, The Tahi Bar, Warkworth, 4-6pm

20

Men’s Rebus meeting, Shoesmith Hall, Warkworth, 10am. Missing your mates, why not visit us? Info: Ron 422 3111

25 Ahuroa Hall & School fundraiser trek 2023, Ahuroa Road, 9am. Info: christine_a_bullock@hotmail.com or phone 027 514 9696

25 -26 Mangawhai Art Trail, Info: www.mangawhaiartists.co.nz (see brief p20)

25 International Flamenco Concert, Warkworth Town Hall, 7pm

25 Diane Ponzio, accompanied by by musicians Helene Piper and Hank Trenton, Mahurangi West Hall, 7pm. Entry by donation

26 Puhoi Village Market, Riverside Park, 9am-1pm. Live music, stalls, treasures, food and the Community Table produce and plants. To book a $20 stall space, phone Jenny on 020 4020 6154

28 Warkworth Music AGM, Mezzanine room, Warkworth Town Hall. 7pm

March

4 Warkworth annual Cosplay Picnic, Cement Works, Warkworth, 10.30am 4 Warkworth RSA fishing competition 9 Operatunity Daytime Concerts - When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Warkworth Town Hall, 11am

11 Warkworth & District RSA market. 8am-1pm

12 The Barfoot and Thompson Annual Raft Race

18 Warkworth A&P Show, Warkworth Showgrounds (see story p8)

18&19 Mangawhai Walking Weekend, Info and bookings www.mangawhaiwalking. co.nz (see brief p5)

In

The club's primary purpose is to prevent drowning and injury through lifeguard and education. The club is comprised of highly trained volunteers and supporters who are passionate about water safety, the beach environment and are willing to contribute their time and skills to the local community.

Saturday