Despite Alert Level 2, the opening round of the Rarotonga football competition with go ahead today with health requirements in place to ensure the welfare and safety of the players and spectators.

Today Matavera-Ngatangiia will host last year’s Premier Men’s Round Cup champions Tupapa Maraerenga, in their first-round match for the Tower Insurance Premier Men’s Championship.

Matavera-Ngatangiia premier men’s team will march into this match as the underdog and will try to deny Tupapa their first win.

The opening round of the season will provide a glimpse of teams to look out for in this year’s competition.

Matavera have had a good preparation, playing a few warm up games in the last few weeks, and in one of those games, they defeated Tupapa 2-1. They will be hoping to repeat that result this afternoon.

In the other premier men’s match this afternoon, Nikao Sokattak – the favourites for this year’s championship – will be hosting their neighbours Avatiu FC in the season opener.

In The Islander Senior Women’s Championship, Tupapa will face off against Matavera where both teams are expected to go all out to score their first win in their first game.

Matavera-Ngatangiia women’s team has been bolstered by the inclusion of five players from other clubs. Their inclusion will give the side a good chance in beating the much-favoured ladies in black for the first time.

The unpredictable Avatiu will be hoping to stun Nikao Sokattak when the two teams meet in the other women’s clash this afternoon.

Kicking off today’s games at both Matavera and Nikao fields will be the BSP U15 Boys division at 11:15am.

Players and spectators are asked to fill in the Ministry of Health (Te Marae Ora) register sheet at both venues.

• CIFA Media

Fixtures

Matavera Field: Matavera-Ngatangiia FC-Tupapa Maraerenga FC – 11:15am U15 Boys (Ref: Merian Noovao, Assist: Theressa Kaukura, Kimberly Uini), 12:15pm U15 Girls (Ref: Ava Wyllie, Assist: Noovao Noovao, Gideon Pouao), 1:15pm U18 Boys (Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assist: Kimberly Uini, Hei-Ura Peyroux), 2:40pm Senior Women (Ref: Tehainnah Tatuava, Assist: Eitiare Tangirere, Ava Wyllie), 4:15pm Premier Men (Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assist: Tehainnah Tatuava, Ngametua Taringa).

Nikao Field: Nikao Sokattak FC-Avatiu FC – 11:15am U15 Boys (Ref: Poko Manuela, Assist: Matilda Auua, Teupoko Tuariki), 12:15pm U15 Girls (Ref: Ua Savage, Assist: Dallas Rongokea, Kataraina Piri), 1:15pm U18 Boys (Ref: John Pareanga, Assist: Selina Maora, Alice Mitchell), 2:40pm Senior Women (Ref: Tahiri Elikana, Assist: Selina Maora, Alice Mitchell), 4:15pm Premier Men (Ref: John Pareanga, Assist: Kataraina Piri, Poko Manuela).