The 33-year-old, who is originally from the English town of Winsford, landed in Dunedin in 2010. Schwarz was playing summer games for Canterbury, and winter football down south before he decided to make the move to Christchurch with his new partner in 2012.
“It was quite nice because I played in Dunedin when I first came to New Zealand,” he said of playing Green Island on Saturday, who Technical thrashed 7-0.
The centre-back started playing for Technical when the club was formed in 2012, and has been a well-known figure in its first team. Schwarz captained the side for nine years, and was able to wear the armband again for the special game over the weekend.
His team currently sit second on the Southern League standings, and will host arch-rivals Christchurch United in the Chatham Cup’s round of 16 at Garrick Memorial Park on Sunday (2pm). The winner will progress to the quarter finals while the loser will be knocked out.
Technical last played United in May, and halted United’s winning streak with a nail-biting 1-1 draw.
Schwarz says any match against United is something the team looks forward to due to the two teams consistently leading the Southern League each year.
“It makes it a lot more interesting with a cup game as well,” the six-time Mainland Football defender of the year said.
“They’re setting the standard this year, which is hard to say.
“We’re aware of their qualities but we also know ours.”
“It’s a strange dynamic.
“We used to argue a bit when we played but we get along really well,” he said.
“It’s actually quite nice most of the time.”
The former Canterbury United player has won an impressive 33 titles while playing for Technical, including three Chatham Cups (the national club title).
Club president Bill Cowen said Schwarz has been an “amazing” player for both Technical and Canterbury throughout his time in New Zealand.
“He’s has won a colossal amount of titles, winning Chatham Cups in different cities” he said.
“But he’s a real community man.”
