In this special edition of From The Plains to The Pitch, we sit down with three stars from Auckland FC for a rapid–fire series of interviews that dive into mindset, pressure, opportunity, and the future of football in Aotearoa.

Featuring:

🔹 Cam Howieson - A remarkable story of resilience — from an eight–year break from professional football to becoming a key figure in Auckland’s midfield. We talk comeback mentality, rediscovering passion, and what drives him today.

🔹 Oli Sail - Current All White and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable goalkeepers. Oli opens up about the fight for the #1 shirt, life inside a new A-League setup, and the dream of representing his country on football’s biggest stage.

🔹 Jake Girdwood-Reich - One of the most exciting defenders midfielders in the league. We discuss reuniting with coach Steve Corica, adapting to life in New Zealand, pushing for Socceroos selection, and the evolution of the modern defender.

Three players. Three journeys. One massive episode.

Whether you’re an Auckland FC fan, a supporter of the All Whites, or just love hearing what shapes elite athletes — this is one you won’t want to miss.

Head over to our Facebook and Instagram for an Auckland FC Giveaway.

In this special Movember episode, Matt, Jack, and Alex sit down with Robert Dunne, the Country Lead for Movember New Zealand, to talk about men’s health, community, and the power of conversation.

Robert shares what it’s like leading one of the world’s biggest men’s health movements, some unforgettable stories from Movember’s early days, and how family and sport continue to shape his approach to wellbeing.

The team dives into how physical activity helps men open up, why checking in on your mates matters more than ever, and what’s next for Movember — both here in New Zealand and around the globe.

💬 There’s still time to take part — whether you’re growing a mo, moving for a mate, or hosting your own event.
Movember starts when you sign up.

Support our Movember team here: https://movember.com/m/15365386?mc=1

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT | Falling in Love with Sport 💬

This week on From The Plains to The Pitch we’re joined by someone who truly embodies passion, balance, and leadership both on and off the field. 

Natalie O’Neil — Thames Valley Vixen, women’s rugby advocate, and this year’s Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year in the Waikato Women’s Development Competition — shares her story of:
💪 Becoming a role model for young women
🐄 Swapping the deputy principal’s desk for the dairy farm
🏉 The rise of women’s rugby across the region
👩‍👧 Balancing motherhood, team captaincy, and community

A raw, real, and inspiring chat about how sport shapes lives — and why falling in love with the game can change everything.

🎙️ NEW EPISODE PREVIEW | Falling in Love with Sport 💬

This week on From The Plains to The Pitch we’re joined by someone who truly embodies passion, balance, and leadership both on and off the field. 

Natalie O’Neil — Thames Valley Vixen, women’s rugby advocate, and this year’s Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year in the Waikato Women’s Development Competition — shares her story of:
💪 Becoming a role model for young women
🐄 Swapping the deputy principal’s desk for the dairy farm
🏉 The rise of women’s rugby across the region
👩‍👧 Balancing motherhood, team captaincy, and community

A raw, real, and inspiring chat about how sport shapes lives — and why falling in love with the game can change everything.

🎧 Episode 10: “Falling in Love with Sport” out NOW on all platforms
You won’t want to miss this one 💚

Listen First: https://linktr.ee/haurakiplains

#FromThePlainsToThePitch #FallingInLoveWithSport #WomensRugby #ThamesValleyVixens #GrassrootsSport #NZPodcast #TeamSport #FemaleAthletes #RugbyLife

This week, we sit down with Craig Bulloch, founder of MATES Matter NZ, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about mental health, resilience, and the power of connection.

Craig opens up about his early life, the illusion of success, and the difficult moments that led him to the edge — and how his brother’s actions saved his life. Together, we talk about how sport and physical exercise can be powerful tools for managing mental wellbeing, and why opening up matters more than ever.

This episode is part one of our Mental Health Series, running throughout Movember, where we explore the challenges, conversations, and courage that shape the lives of men in sport and beyond.

🎧 Presented by From the Plains to the Pitch.

“You matter.”Two words that can change everything. 💛

This week, we sit down with Craig Bulloch, founder of MATES Matter NZ, for an open and powerful conversation about mental health, resilience, and why checking in with your mates really does make a difference.

From personal struggles to the power of connection through sport — this episode reminds us that we’re never alone, no matter what we’re going through.

🎧 Listen to Part One of our Mental Health Series on Monday

#FromThePlainsToThePitch #MentalHealthMatters #YouMatter #MatesMatterNZ #Movember #Podcast #NZPodcasts #ItsOkayToTalk

Episode 8 – Adam Matete: Family, Footy & Food
Presented by Laser Electrical and Paton Kitchens

This week on From the Plains to the Pitch we welcome Adam Matete — a true local legend. Adam has lived and breathed team sport his whole life. A passionate rugby league coach, proud family man, and advocate for junior sport, Adam brings a wealth of experience both on and off the field.

In this episode, Adam shares his story of growing up in the Hauraki Plains, how sport shaped his youth, and the lessons that have carried him through his career and into fatherhood. We dive deep into:

• 🏉 His rugby league journey and coaching philosophy

• 👨‍👩‍👦 Family life, and supporting two sons who both play rugby

• 💬 Why team sport matters more than ever for kids today

It’s heartfelt, honest, and full of laughs — a reminder of how sport connects families, builds communities, and creates memories that last a lifetime.

🎧 Tune in now to From the Plains to the Pitch — the grassroots sports podcast proudly bringing local stories to life.

Episode 8 – Adam Matete: Family, Footy & Food
Presented by Laser Electrical and Paton Kitchens

This week we’re joined by local legend Adam Matete — rugby league coach, family man, and passionate advocate for junior sport. Born and raised in Ngatea, Adam shares his story of growing up in the community, the role sport has played throughout his life, and why team culture is so important both on and off the field.

We also dive into family, coaching, and his love for rugby league.

It’s heartfelt, fun, and full of community spirit — the perfect listen for fans of sport, family, and everything in between.

🎧 Full Episode drops Saturday 8AM

Episode 7 – Junior Special
Presented by Paton Kitchens Ngatea

This week we sit down with Liam Gordon, Wolves goalkeeper and club captain, to hear about his junior football journey and the experiences that shaped him into a leader today.

We also head pitchside for the final junior football weekend of the season, with the Lions, Tigers, and Hawks all playing at home. Expect the sounds of the sideline as we chat with players, parents, coaches, and supporters about their season highlights, challenges, and favourite moments.

It’s an episode that celebrates both the roots of our captain’s story and the future of football here at Hauraki Plains FC.

🎧 Listen now to From the Plains to the Pitch — proudly presented by Paton Kitchens Ngatea.

This week we’re joined by Wolves midfielder Lachlan McHaffie — a lifelong football fan, team leader at the local council, and proud Arsenal supporter. Lachy sits down with us to reflect on the Wolves’ season, what football means to him, and how leadership on and off the pitch goes hand in hand.

We also cover:
🐺 A full review of the Wolves’ 2024 season, including the recent 0–0 draw with Melville Dreadnaughts
🧒 Junior Corner – highlights from across the club’s youth teams
🧠 The Switched On Challenge powered by Laser Electrical Ngatea – with Lachy taking on the trivia test

It’s an episode packed with insight, banter, and big-picture reflections on the beautiful game.

🎧 Listen now and join us on From the Plains to the Pitch — proudly powered by Laser Electrical Ngatea.