In our very first episode of From the Plains to the Pitch, we dig into the 41-year story of Hauraki Plains FC — from its grassroots beginnings in 1984 as a junior-only club to launching its first senior men’s team in 2023.

Joining us is Wolves centre-back, junior coach, and all-round club legend Phil J. We talk about his journey from the backline to the sidelines, coaching our U12 all-girls team, and what it means to be part of something bigger than football.

We also relive the first part of our senior season (5W–5D–1L), hear voices from the club’s past, get a message from our captain, and launch two new segments: the Switched On Quiz (powered by Laser Electrical Ngatea) and the On The Whistle rapid-fire challenge.

It’s football, community, history — and a heap of banter. This is where the story starts.