\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of meaning to it and it\u2019s kind of the shape of a shield for protection for myself,\u201d Hurd said of the large design which is unmissable when his socks come down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe waves represent the waves of life and then there\u2019s like fish scales showing that my mum and dad were providers for me.<\/p>\n
Aston Hurd has signed with Napier City Rovers in 2026 and is on a mission to do all he can to help the Central League club qualify for this year and next year’s National League. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
\u201cIt features the North Star for always looking for the right direction; for not looking back … going for your end goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look down there, it\u2019s like I\u2019m looking at my family and showing that I\u2019m not just playing for myself, I\u2019m playing for my family; and not just blood family but the boys [in the team]. They\u2019re my family as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raised in Waikato, Hurd signed for the Bill Robertson-coached team for 2026 after previous stints at Cambridge FC, Melville United, Hamilton Wanderers, Miramar Rangers, Birkenhead United and Northern Rovers.<\/p>\n
A look at his right shin is a constant reminder of love, family and dreams for Aston Hurd. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Hurd might be just three games into his career at Napier City Rovers<\/a>; but he has already made a big impression.<\/p>\n After a solid pre-season, he was named on the reserves bench for the side\u2019s Central League-opener against Western Suburbs.<\/p>\n He wasted no time in impressing when coming onto the pitch late in the first half, after an injury to English import Jacob Fenton.<\/p>\n Hurd repeatedly caused headaches for the defence throughout the remainder of the eventual 0-0 draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n The following week, after being promoted to the starting 11, he scored the opening goal in his side\u2019s 3-0 win away from home against defending Central League champions Wellington Olympic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hurd again put in a big shift in Napier City Rovers\u2019 2-0 win over Upper Hutt in torrential rain and strong winds in Wellington last Saturday.<\/p>\n On Sunday, his side will host the Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Bluewater Stadium.<\/p>\n Despite the big wraps he has received from teammates, coaching staff and the side\u2019s supporters, Hurd said he wasn\u2019t getting carried away.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m quite hard on myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to nitpick myself on the smallest details. I like to focus and try to get better at those things. <\/p>\n \u201cI like to look at the good things, but I\u2019m also looking at the bad things sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n A lot of the praise Hurd has received has rightfully been around his work ethic.<\/p>\n He\u2019s one of the quickest and most mobile players in the squad; using speed and impressive aerobic fitness to make constant runs through the opposition defence, as well as tracking back deep into his own half to help his defenders and midfield.<\/p>\n It was a never-quit work ethic first displayed while growing up in the small rural Waikato town of Te Aroha, where a lack of football teams saw him play rugby.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was kind of built into me playing rugby to dig deep … make the runs and do the hard work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI just love the hard work, like I\u2019d rather do the hard work and make other people look good, that\u2019s just how I play.\u201d<\/p>\n He was one of the best on the pitch in the 3-0 win over Wellington Olympic, which included his first league goal in a Napier City Rovers shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing like it, especially for scoring for a club like this as well,\u201d Hurd said of putting the ball in the back of the net.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to describe what it feels like to score, especially in a massive game like that. But I just love it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s quite special for me as well that even if I don\u2019t score, if I can assist someone else in scoring.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a feeling he is determined to experience regularly with Napier City Rovers; a club he said was a \u201cno-brainer\u201d to sign with, as he tries to go as far as he can in football.<\/p>\n \u201cI was looking for a new adventure and wanted to push myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Hurd moved to Napier with his partner and says he is loving life and sport in his new home.<\/p>\n Away from the football pitch, Hurd works in sales.<\/p>\n Like his teammates, a strong desire to win some silverware helped make the juggle of a fulltime job, training three nights a week, and road trips to Wellington every second week for Central League clashes, a worthwhile one.<\/p>\n \u201cCompetition is what drives me,\u201d Hurd said.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t come to training to just fill up my time. I want to get better and hopefully win things. I\u2019ve come down here to win stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n As well as going as far as they can in this season\u2019s Central League and Chatham Cup competitions, Hurd and his teammates are determined to qualify for this year\u2019s National League<\/a>, and the new-look National League in 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all quite hungry for that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t played in the National League before, so that would be another step for me and would mean a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Still aged only 22, he aspires to becoming a fulltime professional; an achievement which would mark his sporting North Star.<\/p>\n \u201cI know how hard it is for a New Zealander to go pro,\u201d Hurd said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I believe in myself that I can do it. But I want to keep pushing myself to see if I can push past that boundary and try to get into that professional environment.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like this is the perfect step because it feels quite professional here as well.\u201d<\/p>\nReplacement forward Aston Hurd made his presence felt in the second half of Napier City Rovers’ 0-0 draw against Western Suburbs in their 2026 Central League season-opener at Bluewater Stadium. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Aston Hurd has been getting the plaudits – but he says he stays grounded by being his harshest critic. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Football player Aston Hurd says he got his work ethic initially while playing schoolboy rugby. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Aston Hurd (centre) says he has come to Napier City Rovers with a desire to win silverware. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
New recruit Aston Hurd says he has fitted into life in Napier well, on and off the pitch.
\nPhoto \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\nAston Hurd (front and in front of reserve goalkeeper Josh Capstik, left, and Ross Willox, second from left) has dreams of being a pro footballer. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n