NBS Talk Nelson

In this episode, Chris and Skippy take a deep dive into the latest football action across the Top of the South and beyond. We start with Secondary Schools Tournaments before moving into a full wrap of the Nelson Women’s League results and fixtures, plus an updated look at the Nelson Pine Senior Women’s Premiership standings. We also cover the local Cup competitions including the Price Charity Cup,...

In this episode, Les and Chris sit down with rising Tasman Mako loose forward, Lopeti Faifua. We talk about his rugby journey from Australia, his experiences with the Queensland Reds and Western Force, representing the Australian U20s, and how he’s finding life and rugby here in Nelson. Lopeti also shares insights into his playing style, toughest opponents, and goals for the season. We reflect on...

Welcome back to Football Focus, your go-to podcast for all things football across the Top of the South and beyond.  In this episode, Chris and co-host Skippy recap the week, talk through Girls Secondary School tournament in Nelson, and cover results and fixtures from the Nelson Women’s League, Southern League, and South Island Women’s competition. They also review the latest Premier League action...

Les and Chris is back, and this week we’re joined by Fletcher Anderson — Tasman Mako loose forward and Crusaders Academy player. Fletcher shares his rugby journey, New Zealand Schools experience, Crusaders Academy time, and toughest opponents so far. We also cover team culture, season goals, and put him through a quickfire round. Rugby updates include the Farah Palmer Cup, NPC, The Rugby Champions...

Live from The Turf Hotel with co-host Neil Connell and guest Neil “Geeza” Harding (Coach, Nelson Suburbs U18s). We unpack preparation for the Chatham Cup Semi-Final, match reflections, and post-game feedback. Plus: Nelson Women’s League headlines and fixtures, Price Charity Cup update, Women’s South Island League and Southern League previews, Soccer Ashes dates, and a Premier League weekend look-a...

Les & Chris returns as we sit down with Tasman Mako and Kahurangi winger Jack Gray. He talks origins, pathway into the Mako, stepping from club rugby to NPC, his wing skill set, takeaways from All Blacks Sevens, toughest opponents, mentors, and goals for the season—plus a quickfire round. We also cover the week’s rugby: Farah Palmer Cup headlines and fixtures, NPC Round 4 with Tasman’s matchup...

Live from The Turf Hotel with Chris Butler and Skippy. Special guests: Cory Wilson and Trevin Myers from the Nelson Suburbs Southern League team. We discuss Nelson Suburbs’ historic 2025 Chatham Cup semi-final run, past Nelson clubs’ Chatham Cup finals history including Nelson United’s 1977 victory, insights from the Southern League season so far, and highlights from local leagues. Also in this ep...

Live from The Turf Hotel with Chris Butler and Les Edwards. Special guest: Dan Monaghan – Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Tasman Mako and Assistant with the Crusaders. We talk with Dan about his background, playing days and position, how he joined the Mako, his role assisting with the Crusaders, what a typical week looks like as a Strength & Conditioning coach, balancing group traini...

From The Turf Hotel | Hosted by Chris Butler & Skippy Special guest Mark Johnson – FC Nelson defensive rock and now Nelson Pine Division 1 league champion – joins us to talk about the title win, that tough final clash with Rangers, and the Southern League promotion challenge next. We dive into Mark’s football journey, his coaching background, and wrap things up with a quick-fire round. Also in...

 From The Turf Hotel | Hosted by Chris Butler & Les Edwards Special guest Tasman Mako Coach Gray Cornelius joins us to unpack a tough Round 1 loss to Bay of Plenty, share post-match player reactions, and preview this Saturday’s big home clash against Manawatū. We cover coaching staff continuity, squad depth, exciting new faces, the return of Mitchell Drummond, and how Finlay Christie’s All Bla...

Recorded at The Turf Hotel, hosts Chris Butler and Les Edwards bring you the latest from across the Top of the South. In this episode:  – Marlborough and Nelson club rugby results   – Nelson Division 2 Finals Day matchups  – Nelson College prepares for a preliminary semi-final clash in the 1st XV Top 6  – Tasman Mako squad updates and preseason fixtures  – A recap of the U20 World Championship Fin...

In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Gill Morgan, player and assistant coach of the Nelson Suburbs Southern League Women’s team. Gill shares her football journey, starting in England and eventually bringing her to Nelson, New Zealand. We hear how she became involved with Nelson Suburbs, her dual role as a player and coach, and her work with youth and age-grade teams. She also gives us in...

In this episode, Chris and co-host Skippy bring you all the latest football news from across the Top of the South and beyond, recorded from The Turf Hotel. We cover upcoming local fixtures in the Nelson Bays Women’s League, Men’s League, and 3rd Division, as well as Women’s South Island League results and what’s ahead for the weekend. We recap Southern League Men’s results, preview the Chatham Cup...

In this episode, Chris Butler and Les Edwards are joined by special guest Steph Mitchell — WOB prop in the 2025 Tasman Trophy Women's Final, 27-game Tasman Mako veteran, and former Bay of Plenty player. Steph shares insights from the final, her playing career across two provinces, and her work developing the women's game through coaching with the Whakatu Girls Rugby Trust. Also in this e...

In this episode, we’re joined by Davor Tavich, Director of Football and Head Coach at FC Nelson. Davor shares his football journey from Europe to New Zealand, including the clubs he’s played for, his transition into coaching, and player development. We also cover key local football updates including the latest fixtures and results across the Nelson Bays leagues, the Chatham Cup quarter-final draw,...

 Recorded live from The Turf Hotel, this episode features special guest Tom Thornalley, captain of Marist Div 1, following their 43–17 win over Waimea in the 2025 Stuff Tasman Trophy Final. Tom shares insights on the team's performance, leadership, and season highlights. We also cover results from the Women’s Final, Marlborough Senior A, and Nelson Division 2 competitions, preview upcoming 1s...

In this episode, we’re on location at the Nelson Suburbs Youth Age Grade Tournament, capturing the energy and excitement of grassroots football and the next generation of talent coming through in the Top of the South. Please note: This episode was recorded prior to the announcement from Nelson Bays Football that all Senior Men’s, Women’s, and Masters football scheduled for Saturday, 5th July 2025...

Notice: Following close monitoring of the weather forecast and discussions with clubs and key personnel, Nelson Bays Football has made the difficult decision to cancel all football scheduled for this Saturday, 28 June 2025. This podcast was recorded earlier, but many parts are still relevant and worth a listen. Welcome back to Football Focus – your go-to for everything football in the Top of the S...

 Notice: Due to the heavy rainfall, road closures, and a state of emergency being called, all rugby scheduled for this weekend across the Tasman region has been cancelled. This podcast was recorded earlier, but many parts are still relevant and worth a listen. We’re back at The Turf Hotel with special guest  Nic “Mantis” Smith, President & Head Coach of Marist Nelson Sports Club in Nelson! Hea...

 We’re joined by Sam Shelling, Nelson Suburbs FC player and current student-footballer at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, USA. Sam shares his journey from captaining youth sides in Nelson to representing Christ’s College, Cashmere Tech, and NZ Secondary Schools before heading to the U.S. college system. We discuss his development, and goals for the future. Also in this episode:  – Chatham C...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jimmy van der Colk, General Manager of Wanderers Sports Club. Jimmy shares his unique journey from cricket to rugby administration, discusses the challenges and opportunities of managing a multi-code club, and reflects on his role as chair of the Tasman Rugby Council. We also cover:  – Club rugby results and upcoming fixtures across the Stuff Tasman Trophy  – Women...

In this episode of Football Focus, we’re joined by Sasha Kerslake, coach of the Richmond Foxes. Sasha shares her football journey, reflects on the growth of the women’s game, and discusses her coaching approach with young players. We also put her through our quickfire round of questions. Plus, we cover a huge week of local and national football, including: Chatham Cup & Kate Sheppard Cup Round...

Chris Butler and Les Edwards are joined by special guest Bradley Evans, a Tasman Rugby Union referee, to talk about the pathway into refereeing, how to handle pressure on the field, and why keeping calm matters more than ever. We cover the latest club action across the region, including women’s and men’s Stuff Tasman Trophy results and upcoming fixtures, along with key schoolboy matchups in the Mi...

Recorded at The Turf Hotel, we're joined by former Mako, Crusaders, and Chiefs fullback Tom Marshall, who’s now making an impact in coaching with Nelson RFC. Tom chats about stepping into his new coaching role, the progress of the team, emerging talent in the region, and his experience with the Tasman Mako coaching group last season. We also break down the upcoming fixtures for the Stuff Tasm...

 In this episode, hosts Chris Butler and Skippy are joined by Tāhunanui Football Club co-coaches Seth Watson and Joe Robertson. They discuss their football backgrounds, what makes Tāhunanui special, challenges of the current season, local talent development, and their vision for a successful 2025. Also in this episode: Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup Round 2 fixtures Nelson Pine Women’s and Men’...