On Saturday morning in Winton, you could be mistaken for thinking football was the only game in town.

Once the bastion of the oval ball game, the central Southland town is now fully embracing the world's most popular sport, football.

Winton's 'club day' last weekend was full proof of that.

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From the numerous volunteers who marshalled the overflowing car park, the local coaches refereeing games, to club stalwart Wendy Boniface serving numerous coffees, hot chips and lollies, this was rural Southland at its very best.

Wet weather didn't deter more than 300 excited junior football players.

Ranging in age from the very youngest eight-year-old ‘Fun Footballers’ through the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 14th grades, before eventually rounding off with senior games later in the afternoon. 

Winton club day last Saturday. Photo: Supplied

Football is increasingly seen as an inclusive sport in Central Southland, able to cater for its growing multicultural community, says Southland Football's Junior Committee chair Gary Pilsworth.

"That was evident from the refreshing smell of Yerba Mate, the traditional milky tea drunk through a metal straw popular in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

"It was also pleasing to see the growing number of girls playing their football in Winton. They have chosen their sport well. Football is the fastest growing team sport for girls in New Zealand and is only expected to increase further with New Zealand co-hosting the Women’s Football World Cup in 2023."

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Team Winton's work has not gone unnoticed. Under the leadership of Wendy Boniface (secretary) and Bronwyn Campbell (then president) the club was one of a few in New Zealand to be awarded the New Zealand Football Quality Club Mark (QCM).

QCM is an accreditation programme designed to identify, support and highlight football clubs in New Zealand who are well run, community focused organisations aligned to the New Zealand Football Whole of Football Plan.

Wendy Boniface

To meet the increasing demand, Winton's new multi purpose pavilion is on track. The Moores Reserve Trust is proposing a $600,000 replacement of clubrooms with a combined sports pavilion, changing facilities and a clubroom for the use of those sports based at the Winton reserve.

Any keen players can contact the Winton club's president Simon Ellis at [email protected].