From kicking a ball at age five on the Northern Beaches to scoring decisive goals for the First Grade Men’s team, Kai Denton has become a key figure at the Northern Tigers. A proud Berowra local, Kai joined the club in 2016 as a 12 year old and is one of the shining examples of a First Grade player who has come through the Youth Boys program. His football story is one of hard work, family support, and deep commitment to the club culture that continues to shape the Tigers’ identity.
We caught up with Kai to reflect on his football journey, the current season’s success, and what makes playing for the Northern Tigers so special.
Where did your football journey begin?
I started playing when I was 5 for Pittwater RSL Football Club on the Northern Beaches. Mum and Dad were my first coaches, so it’s fitting that they are still involved with my football as managers of Tigers Men’s First Grade.
Please talk us through your football career before joining the Northern Tigers including where and how you started playing NPL football.
I never played SAP, just local football for Pittwater RSL Football Club, and then Terrigal United Football Club on the Central Coast when we moved up there.
We moved back down to Sydney when I started year 7 and I trialled for the U13s Northern Tigers Team and made it in. I was 12.
I played U13s through to U18s at Northern Tigers.
I moved to Blacktown City for a couple years when I was 17 and played U18s and U20s there. I came back to Northern Tigers for my second year of U20s and had a good season and was promoted to the First Grade team mid-season.
What attracted you to join the Northern Tigers?
Initially, I didn’t know anything about them. I was asked to trial after attending a holiday camp, but the reason I stayed so long and came back was the culture of the club. The playing culture and coaching standards are top quality and there is a strong ambition throughout all age groups to succeed and win, whilst developing players.
When did you join the Northern Tigers and how many seasons have you played for the Tigers?
I joined Tigers in 2015 in under U13s. This is my 9th season at the club.
How many years have you been in the First Grade Men’s team for the Northern Tigers?
This is my third year in the first grade team.
What do you put this season’s success of the Men’s First Grade team to and what aspirations do the team have for the season?
The squad is extremely close-knit with some talented players, and we have built a strong culture of accountability and support. Our coaching staff are always organised, professional and effectively prepare us for each game. Our aspirations are to win the league and get promoted, and go as far as we can in the Australia Cup.
You have been one of our key strikers for a few years now. You were top scorer for the League One competition in 2023, before being out with injury for the first half of the 2024 season. How is your season going this year and how many goals have you scored / assists made?
It’s been a good season as a team so far. We are not only scoring a lot of goals but have conceded the least in the league too. Points to everyone executing and performing well. I have scored 18 in the league and 5 in our cup run so it’s been pretty good personally, but it’s a credit to everyone on the field to the amount of chances we are creating.
The Men’s team have been on a great run in the league and the Australia Cup – to what do you put the success of the team for the season to date?
Our depth, coaching, and togetherness have been the key so far. Everyone knows their role and brings intensity to training every week. We are taking each game as it comes and not getting carried away.
You have a couple of brothers also at the Northern Tigers – please talk us through their football and what teams they are currently in?
Yeh it’s special to have both my brothers at the club too. Zane is a midfielder in the U18s and Bodie is one of our Goalkeepers in Men’s First Grade. With Bodie being a goalkeeper and myself being a striker there is always a huge level of competitiveness at training as we try and better one another. Zane has also trained with us a few times – all 3 of us training together is pretty fun.
Your parents James and Nat are our First Grade team managers. What does their support mean to you and your brothers for your football?
Yeh it’s a whole family affair at the Northern Tigers! It’s awesome having mum and dad at the games every week. Their support is the best and they don’t miss a game. They were my first coaches back in U6’s so it’s fitting and special they are still involved.
You scored the winner in our fantastic 3-2 away win against APIA Leichhardt in the Waratah Cup semi-final which qualified the Club for our first Waratah Cup Final. Please talk us through the goal and the second half of that match. What was it like scoring the winner?
The second half was one of the best quality and intense games I have been a part of. We went up 1-0 early in the half with a screamer from Connor, before APIA showed their quality and got 2 goals of their own. Even when losing we always had belief that we could get a result out of the game and that’s exactly what we did. Ally scored a beauty with 10 mins to go, and from there we had the momentum and knew we needed to get another one to avoid going to extra time. Scoring the winner in the 89th minute was an awesome feeling and one I won’t forget. The team deserved the win, and I was glad I converted the chance.
It is the first time for the Tigers in Round of 32 of the Australia Cup and we have drawn Sydney United 58 once again – how far can the team go in the competition?
Obviously, it’s not ideal drawing Sydney United 58 again, we were hoping for an A League Team or anyone from outside of Sydney to test ourselves against teams around the country. But we will approach it like any other game, and it’s a great chance to put ourselves into the final 16 which is exciting for the club.
What would completion of the Home of Football mean to the Northern Tigers first Grade Men’s team?
It would be a huge game changer. Our cup run proves how much we need this facility. We are in the last 32 teams in the Australia Cup and have a home game, however we cannot play at NTRA as the facilities are not up to standard for this level of competition. We have proved we are good enough to compete at the high level, so having a professional facility to support would mean everything. As a club, it would also help develop the younger teams and raise the whole club’s profile.
What characteristics are Northern Tigers teams known for amongst their opponents?
Relentless energy, discipline, and togetherness. We’re a tough team to break down and tough to outwork.
What do you like about the Northern Tigers?
The culture. As a team, we have great fun off the field and are extremely competitive on the field. Training is always high intensity, and we always push each other. The club culture is evident too; we always have younger boys and girls from the club watching our games which means a lot.