World Footy News

Mt Roskill, one of six clubs in the Auckland Australian Football League has had a huge off season as they gear up for their local season, commencing in late August. They have signed a former coach of the NZ Falcons who happens to be a former Port Adelaide Magpies player (SANFL) in Ian Francis to coach the club, whilst one of their key players, Matt Callaghan, will return from playing for the Thornlie Lions after a season in Western Australia.

The return of Ian Francis is a huge gain, not just for Mt Roskill, but for all in NZ. He played at the top level at the time in South Australia before knee injury ruined his career. He got involved in administration and coaching in NZ during the late 90’s after being recruited to fill a teacher shortage in Auckland. He eventually ended up as Game Development Manager, employed by the NZAFL and was responsible for coaching the first two junior sides to travel from NZ to Australia. They went to Canberra and then the Gold Coast the following year. Players from these early trips are now key players for the NZ Falcons or involved in coaching at local, Provincial and National level. Ian also coached the senior NZ Falcons at Arafura in 1999 where the team took the Silver Medal.

Prior to his return to NZ, after a period of travel, Ian worked as the General Manager of both the Geelong and Ballarat Football Leagues, where he was able to further his knowledge and interest in the football industry.

Ian’s previous involvement at local level in the AAFL was as a player for the University Club during the 1996-98 seasons where he was a stand out winning dual AAFL Best and Fairest awards. After an approach from long time Roskill Coach and legend, Greg Cairns, Ian decided that joining Roskill would be a good fit.

Greg had this to say about Ian’s appointment “The Saints are absolutely rapt to have appointed a coach of Ian's calibre for the upcoming season. Level 2 qualified AFL coaches don't become available too often in New Zealand, and given that he also intends to play, you can understand the excitement his appointment has generated around the club. When you look at the current crop of senior players Ian developed from his time as Auckland RDO and New Zealand Colts coach: Congalton (Falcons International Cup Captain), Ashton, Lydiard, Evans (current All Black), Fairweather and Wallace (all NZ rep players), and the large group of 15 to 18 year olds we have, there is a real sense on anticipation around the club this year. We are looking for Ian to have a similar impact on our current group of junior players, as well as develop the next senior coach from within our current leadership group. The club is extremely proud of the fact that the current leadership group are all New Zealanders, all started and learned their footy at the club, are current or ex New Zealand Rep players and have two AAFL B&F winners amongst them.”

As far as Ian was concerned the offer to coach Mt Roskill was very tempting, although initially he was just looking to have a kick himself. “They are very well organized, have got a strong support structure, some very good juniors, and there are a few lads there from the NZAFL under 21 days, so I thought it would be great to get amongst it again. Part of the coaching role is to work with some of the younger lads who are perhaps interested in coaching next year (Jarrad Wallace and Steve Fairweather)”.

When I spoke to Ian he had only taken two trainings but made a valid point about the change in standard since earlier this decade “The general skill level of the Kiwi players has increased, particularly their foot skills. Now there is a higher standard of skills from the Kiwi players, and the better ones are generally comparable with most of the Aussies we get that float through.”

One of Mt Roskill’s key players this year, as they seek to add to their two League Premierships since their formation in 1991 (1997 and 2005), will be 2005 NZ Falcons International Cup ruckman Matt Callaghan. Matt is currently playing for the Thornlie Lions in the Western Australian Sunday Football League. Cairns had this to say recently about Matt “He is super dedicated, a great team player and clubman who never stops trying to improve himself. At one stage, with three seasons of AAFL football, NPC tournaments, the 2005 International Cup and the Australian Country Championships Matt played over two years of continuous football. Given he took up the game less than four years ago his achievements have been amazing and a testament to his hard work and dedication. Matt is 100% committed to the next International Cup, the NPC tournament in Wellington in September and we are hoping he can fit some club football in between”. To see photos of Matt in action you can view them here: Mt Roskill Saints FC gallery.

Good luck to all those at Mt Roskill for the next season.