Rangers ready for kick-off

Rangers AFC open their 2026 campaign on Saturday with a tough challenge, away to FC Nelson, the defending Nelson men’s premier division one football champions.

It will be a six-team division one competition this year - Rangers coming up against FC Nelson, Suburbs Reserves, Richmond, Golden Bay and Tahuna. Consequently, teams will play a three-round-robin competition.

It will be a new-look Rangers set-up which heads over the hill.

Head coach this year is Chris Short, stepping into the shoes of Tore Waechter, who was a very successful player/coach for the past four seasons. Shiv Chandra is the assistant coach while former manager Wolfie Waechter will be functioning in the background with Laura Short taking the manager’s role this season.

Influential playmaker Tore will still be playing, alongside regulars such as keeper Luc Sherwood, key defenders Jordy Columbus and Aaron Hayes, plus the talented duo of Keagan Mortimer and Guy Nolan.

The absence of several players who have provided the backbone of the side for the past few campaigns opens the door for a number of young players to step up. The likes of Jeimar Zapata, Ben Lindfield, Connor Pugh, James Parley and Hugh Bradley have been waiting in the wings and will bring youthful enthusiasm and pace to the mix.

Rangers’ first home game is on April 18, against Richmond Athletic at A&P Park.

The Marlborough senior football competition begins on April 18.