Match Reports
July 5, 2026
Blenheim Academy Teams
What an exciting weekend of football for our Junior Academy teams! Luckily, the weather stayed cooperative, though we did see some rain.
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The U10 Academy team had an away game against BV Taipans, a team that has been in the pool since the first round. The academy team played some really good football, making the most of the field, and celebrated with a fantastic win.
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Our Under 11s remain unbeaten this season and kept that impressive streak going with a strong performance this weekend. Playing at home, they hosted a tough Rangers Tigers side. The Tigers had a low number of players, so some of the BA U11S jumped in and played for them. Both teams played well, but the Academy showed great depth and resourcefulness, earning another well-deserved victory.
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The U12S team continues their exciting journey in this pool, facing some very talented and strong opponents. After a win against Picton last weekend, spirits were high, and training was sharp. Facing a solid Rangers Tuataras side with plenty of depth and composure, the game was always going to be challenging. Although they scored in the second half to narrow the gap, the Rangers held on for the win after some exciting back-and-forth action.
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Our U13S team went away to play Renwick Wildcats, who have been their only loss so far this year. The weather was a bit gloomy, overcast and windy, but both teams stayed focused and determined to secure a win. The Renwick team was very aggressive, pressing hard for the ball everywhere on the field. The Academy's passing was excellent, creating some beautiful chances. The first half was very close, with both sides coming close to taking the lead. In the second half, the Renwick team really took control, and the Academy players looked a bit shaken. Despite their efforts, the game ended in a score draw. Renwick showed great resilience, and while the U13S will need to regroup and focus on training, their grit and determination were clearly visible to see.
11th, 12th, 13th July 2026
Blenheim Academy Girls Rep Team represents at the Alan Fraser Memorial All-Girls Tournament
3 days of intense but glorious football, our girls represented us with desire, strength, and passion. The excitement was palpable as the girls prepared for their matches. The first challenge of the last day came against Green Island from Dunedin. From the very first whistle, it was clear that our defensive line was a force to be reckoned with. McKenzie, Ishana, and Eva formed a formidable wall that kept the opposition at bay, thwarting every attempt to get through. Their communication and teamwork were impeccable, making it nearly impossible for Green Island to mount an effective attack.
The turning point of the match came when Sophie demonstrated her incredible speed on the field. In a swift counterattack, she broke free from the defenders, and with precision and determination, she scored the winning goal. The exhilaration of that moment charged the team’s spirits, as they celebrated not only the goal but also their collective effort and resilience.
Following the match against Green Island, the girls faced Selwyn United in a playoff for the 9th and 10th positions. The intensity on the field only escalated as both teams fought fiercely for dominance. Despite numerous opportunities on both sides, the match ended in a hard-fought stalemate at 0-0, pushing the game into a penalty shootout—a true test of nerves and skill.
When the pressure was on during the penalties, Lexi truly shone. Time and again, she showcased her remarkable goalkeeping abilities, making multiple impressive saves that kept our hopes alive. The tension built with each penalty kick, but our strikers held their composure, successfully converting 3 out of 5 shots into the net. This ultimately secured us a victory, resulting in a commendable 9th place out of 20 teams overall.
The tournament concluded with joyous celebrations as the girls reflected on their hard work and dedication. In recognition of her outstanding performance throughout the competition, Lexi was also voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) by her teammates, an accolade well-deserved for her crucial role in both matches. Great result, girls! Your dedication and teamwork truly paid off! A well done from us on your first rep Tournament...you did us proud!!
13th, 14th, 15th July 2026
WINNERS!! U11 and U13 take the spoils at the Nelson Suburbs Community Cup.
On the last day of the Nelson Community Cup, both U13 and U11 teams were on track to win the overall trophies for the U10/U11 and U12/U13 age groups, respectively. Day 3 was always going to be challenging, with fatigue and nerves settling in, but everyone was still in with a chance.
The U10s' playing style was starting to shine, and despite a few unlucky scores that didn't fully reflect what this team is achieving, they played with great spirit. Their first game was against a talented Golden Bays U13 girls team, providing a fantastic opportunity for a decent result. Though some unlucky plays and missed chances made it a narrow loss, the team showed promise. In their last game, they faced NSFC Leopards, a fast, agile team, and while the match was close, another narrow defeat was a sign of their improving performance.
The U12s, who topped their pool after day 1, faced tough challenges on days 2 and 3. When they played NSFC Turbos, they were determined to end the tournament on a high note. They did just that, winning convincingly and now preparing to face the current leaders, Blenheim Academy U13.
The U11s have been dominant throughout, winning with style and battling against some tough opponents. Their semi-final game against the U11 NSFC Development team was impressive, showcasing their skill with a great win and a variety of goals... and now they’re into the finals!
The final was against a strong NSFC All Stars team, whom they had already beaten earlier in the tournament. Everyone knew this match would be different, and it truly was. Both teams fought hard for the win, leading to a tense contest. The Blenheim Academy U11s took an early lead, but a disallowed goal prompted them to push even harder. With minutes remaining, a final push resulted in another goal, securing their victory…
**Blenheim Academy U11’s WINNERS of the U10/U11 Grade Tournament!**
Next up was the top-ranked U12/U13 team, Blenheim Academy U13. They faced a skilled FC Nelson side that was a fierce competitor. The match was intense, with tough tackling and quick play. However, perseverance paid off, leading to a solid victory for the Academy team. They finished the game with one game remaining to win the big prize.
The U12s, feeling high after a great win, aimed to complete a clean sweep. The U13S knew it wouldn't be easy, and their game proved just that. Strong passing and solid defence kept them in the match, but after a mistake capped by a goal after 10 minutes, the U13S took the lead. The U12s fought hard, finding gaps and almost scoring twice, but the U13s held firm. Tactical changes and excellent wing play led to a third, completing his hat trick and securing a well-deserved victory…
**Blenheim Academy U13’s WINNERS of the U12/U13 Grade Tournament!**
What an incredible result for all our Academy teams in their first-ever tournament—two tournament winners, Richie with a Golden Glove, Braden as MVP, and a very happy team here at Blenheim Academy!
Academy Announcements
Alan Fraser Memorial Tournament 2026
The all-girls team represents the academy at the Waimak Tournament next week. New Zealand's largest girls' tournament covering 3 days of intense games against the best all-girls teams in the region. COMPLETED
Nelsons Community Cup
Nelson hosts the Community Cup, with teams from across the region competing for bragging rights. A tier 2 Academy/Club team tournament designed to be an enjoyable and positive experience for the players. All of the academy's development teams will be completing. - U10, U11, U12 and U13. COMPLETED
South Island Tournement
The biggest Football Tournament for grassroots-level teams on the South Island is the South Island tournament. All the best players in all of the teams compete across the South Island to compete for this prestigious title. All 5 of the Academy teams will be competing this year......Go Teams!!