Wānaka FC has made history by becoming the smallest town in New Zealand to field a team in a major national sporting league, following their recent promotion to the 32-team national football pyramid. The club’s director of football, Ben Sippola, expressed his ambition to showcase “the most beautiful game in the world in the most beautiful location.”
The team, composed of a mix of local Central Otago residents and transient workers, secured their place in the 10-team Southern League by triumphing in a playoff series against North Canterbury club Waimakariri United. With a population of just 12,000, Wānaka now boasts a robust football community, including 550 junior and senior members at the newly integrated club.
“Football is New Zealand’s number one participation sport, and that’s certainly true here,” Sippola noted, highlighting the strong local support. The American native previously served as CEO and director of football at Wellington’s Ole Academy, where he helped develop several players who would go on to represent New Zealand’s national team, the All Whites.
This year, Wānaka FC attracted between 200 and 300 spectators to their home games, a testament to the community’s enthusiasm. Sippola recalled a defining moment for the club when, faced with a waterlogged pitch before a crucial match against Green Island, 40 community members showed up with brooms to help clear the field—a sight he had never witnessed in New Zealand before.
Sippola and his wife, Simone, the club’s general manager, discovered Wānaka during a sabbatical three years ago while Simone was recovering from breast cancer. They fell in love with the region, and when the opportunity arose to take on the director of football role, Sippola—an avid fly fisherman and outdoor enthusiast—jumped at the chance.
Under the leadership of Sippola and technical director Thomas van Hees, Wānaka FC has revitalized its junior program and led the senior first team in the Southern Premier League (SPL). The club has faced challenges due to its transient population, which includes many players working in the local tourism and hospitality sectors. Despite this, head coach van Hees assembled a competitive squad that finished second in the SPL in 2024, earning a playoff spot after champions Mosgiel declined the opportunity.
Although Sippola hadn’t played seriously in New Zealand since 2018, he laced up his boots for the playoffs when several key players left for holidays in the UK. He contributed to the team’s success, scoring in both playoff legs as Wānaka secured a convincing 9-4 aggregate victory.
The squad features notable players such as Jake Thompson, who has semi-professional experience in Scotland, and captain Josh Shackleton, who also serves as the team’s goalkeeping coach. Local talent has flourished as well, with Ethan Arratia emerging as the SPL’s top scorer with 10 goals, while Alex Plimmer made a mark with three goals in the playoffs.
While the Southern League presents a significant challenge for Wānaka FC, Sippola is optimistic about their competitiveness and committed to ensuring the club’s sustainability. Their long-term goal includes making it to the national playoffs, a feat Sippola believes is achievable, drawing inspiration from the rapid progress of clubs like Christchurch United.
However, the path ahead is not without hurdles. New Zealand Football’s licensing rules require the club to have a reserve team in a sanctioned second or third-tier competition, alongside a youth development team. This could mean extensive travel for three teams over weekends, with road trips lasting between eight to ten hours.
Currently, Wānaka FC has only two licensed coaches and will need to recruit additional staff, including a goalkeeping coach. The club operates within the Central Otago Football League, which lacks NZF sanctioning, prompting Sippola to seek support from New Zealand Football to foster growth in the region.
Despite lacking dedicated facilities, Wānaka FC is determined to build a sustainable future. Matches are currently held at the Wānaka Recreation Ground, a council-owned venue set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The club is community-run and lacks a benefactor, but they are working on a capitalisation plan to raise $5 million over the next few years.
Sippola’s ambitious vision began when he applied for the director of football position, stating his goal of having the team in the national league within five years. “They thought I was crazy, but it’s happened quicker than that,” he reflected.
With a history of developing talent at the Ole Academy, Sippola aims to attract dedicated players for their inaugural Southern League season, while also keeping the local youth engaged in football rather than the alternate lure of weekend skiing.
A training camp is scheduled for December to prepare prospective players for the upcoming Southern League season, as Wānaka FC strives to make its mark on the national stage.
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