CLUB INFO

Formed in 1929,  Whanganui Athletic Football Club (WAFC) is an inclusive community club that has long been the cornerstone of local football, striving for excellence and inspiring a life-long love of the beautiful game amongst its members.  

Today the club stands as a leader in the Whanganui football community, proudly representing the region on the national stage. As an inclusive community club, we ofer opportunities for players of all ages, genders, ambition and skill levels.

WAFC played in the 1993, 1994, and 1995 regional superclub championships, reaching the national league stage in 1993, where we finished seventh.

In 1970 WAFC reached the last 16 stage of New Zealand’s premier knockout cup competition, the Chatham Cup, and went one stage further to become quarter-finalists in 1996.

Originally named Wanganui East Athletic, the club briefly became Wanganui FC from 1974 to 1976. It then returned to its original name, dropping "East," and became Whanganui Athletic FC.

WAFC Board

President:  Bruce McGhie

Vice President: Andrew Macpherson

Men's Committee Chairperson:  Raydon Semmens

Women's Committee Chairperson: Alison Cotter

Junior's Committee Chairperson: Tom Pearce

Secretary: Cathy Norris

Advisers:  Jai Stephens (Legal), Aaron Toy (Financial)


Operational Team 

Club Administrator:  Cathy Norris

Director of Football:  Aaron Folan 


Club Details

9 Senior Teams:  

5 men’s teams across Central Federation League, YORB Western Premiership, Horizon’s Championship, Manawatu Division 2, Manawatu Masters and Whanganui Local League.  

3 women's teams with Women’s First Team playing in the Manawatu League and Reserves playing Whanganui local league. 

33 junior and youth teams ranging from pre-school to U18 teams.  Junior and Youth teams to play in the Whanganui Local League.

ADP Academy Programme available.

Honours:

  • 1981 Central League Division Two

  • 1987 Central League Division Three North

  • 1992 Central League Premier Division

  • 1994 Central Superclub Plate

  • 1996 Central Superclub Championship

  • 2010 Western Premiership Championship

  • 2014 Federation League Championship

  • 2022 Central Federation League promotion

New Zealand Representation

  • Hayden Englefield (U-20, U-23)

  • James Musa (U-20, National team)

  • Brad Scott (National team)

The mens first team colours are red and white. Recently navy blue has been added as a secondary colour to represent the Whanganui awa. 

Last 5 Years

2024 – Federation League 8th out of 9 Golden Boot – Ryan Holden (8) MVP – Jordan Joblin-Hall

2023 – Central League 10th of 10 (relegated) Golden Boot – Ryan Holden (8) MVP – 

2022 – Federation League 1st of 8 (champions) Golden Boot – Josh Smith (12) – MVP – Josh Smith

2021 – Federation League 3rd of 9 Golden Boot Tesco Grunwald, Ryan Holden (8) – MVP – 

2020 – Federation League 2nd of 9