Nelson footballers embark on professional football dream with South Island United

Riley Grover and Dauntae Mariner will represent the Nelson district in the OFC Pro League after the duo was signed by South Island United for the newest professional competition in the world.

Grover grew up on a hop farm in Upper Moutere in Tasman, while Samoan international Mariner was part of the Nelson Suburbs team in the past two Southern League seasons.

The duo will soon join a brand-new South Island United squad to prepare for the opening match against Auckland FC at Eden Park on January 17.

“How can you not get excited about this? It will be a completely new competition and completely new group of players, so it will just be an awesome opportunity, ” smiles Grover who was officially presented to the Nelson community, meeting local junior players, on Sunday and will visit his former small rural primary school at Upper Moutere on Monday, as the next Nelson local to sign a professional football contract.

“It is just unreal. I don't think it's quite hit me yet, but hopefully it will soon. I just can't really believe it,” says the 21-year-old, who started his football journey with the now amalgamated Moutere Rangers as a five-year-old.

After two years playing for Nelson College, Grover received a scholarship to Rathkeale College to join Paul Ifill’s academy and says the former Wellington Phoenix star was the biggest influence on his career to date.

Grover made his senior football debut in the Central League for Wairarapa United only weeks after turning 15, and admits he struggled in his first two seasons playing against some of the most seasoned teams in the country.

“But looking back on it now, it was really good for my game to get exposed to senior football at that age.”

When Ifill was offered the coaching role at Christchurch United in 2022, Grover did not hesitate to follow his mentor to Christchurch and start a horticulture degree at Lincoln University.

Ifill’s second year in charge was a memorable one with Christchurch United winning the Chatham Cup, the Southern League and the local English Cup.

“I didn’t realise how cool that season was until much later. We just kept winning so it became normal and in a way I took it for granted at the time. Yes, 2023 was something special,” says Grover who resisted a move with Ifill to Wellington Olympic last year.

“I really like Christchurch and wanted to finish my degree here, and I think it was a good choice,” says the right wingback who has become a familiar face at the United Sports Centre, looking after the facilities between his training sessions.

Sydney-born Samoan Kiwi Dauntae Mariner is a well-travelled footballer, moving to Brisbane at the age of 13, before signing a two-year deal for English Championship club Blackburn Rovers at 16-years of age, where he ended up playing against a Liverpool youth side at Anfield.

Mariner next moved to Portugal where he enjoyed two seasons in the youth team with Vizela in the Portuguese second tier.

The midfielder returned home to Australia in 2021 to play for Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanders in the National Youth League before stints at Gold Coast Knights, Logan Lightning and Brisbane Strikers in the Queensland State League.

In the meantime, he had also started exploring the possibility of playing for Samoa, through his Christchurch-born Samoan father, to be able to play alongside cousin Kyah Cahill, son of Socceroos legend Tim Cahill.

He was welcomed with open arms by Samoa national coach Ryan Stewart, who also coaches Nelson Suburbs.

“Skippy (Stewart) floated the idea to come to Nelson and after two seasons in the Southern League, the timing is perfect to continue my football journey in the OFC Pro League with South Island United,” says Mariner, who could also have access to Mauritian passport through his Australian mother.

“But I can only carry three,” laughs Mariner. “I feel Australian first, because I grew up there and my family lives there, I feel Kiwi second because it has been my home for the past two years, and of course feel Samoan as that is my heritage and my culture.”

Once South Island United was named as one of the eight clubs in the OFC Pro League, the Nelson Suburbs midfielder jumped at the opportunity to play professional football in his new Kiwi backyard. He made a strong impression on the coaching staff at the South Island United trial match in October to earn a contract.

South Island United chief executive Ryan Edwards says signing two players from the Nelson region is important to the new club who want to represent all 76 clubs in the South Island.

“These two signings show that there is now a pathway for professional football for every player in the South Island and we are truly excited about that.”