World Footy News

As many would know Australian rules footy has been played in New Zealand for over a century. The Great Depression eventually caused the first incarnation of the game to flounder and die out in the early 20th century. In the early-to-mid-70s the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington competitions were re-established. This decade has seen the emergence of the Waikato League and a football presence again in Dunedin, Otago.

Over 2 articles we'll look at the 5 AFL New Zealand centres - WFN thanks the Auckland, Otago and Waikato centres for their information.

Auckland Australian Football League Inc

Location: Greater Auckland region

Re-Established: 1975

League structure: 6 clubs, each with senior & reserve grade teams. Seniors 18-a-side, Reserves minimum 12-a-side.

Competition: Lightning Premiership and then 10 rounds plus semi, preliminary & grand finals played each Sunday afternoon. Round 1 commences 6 September. Grand Finals on 6 December 2009

Clubs and home grounds: Takapuna Eagles & North Shore Tigers share a home ground at Onepoto Domain, North Shore, University Blues are at Merton Road, Glen Innes, Mt Roskill Saints use May Road, Mt Roskill, Waitakere Magpies are at Parrs Park, Oratia and Manurewa Raiders use Mountford Park, Manurewa.

Overview 2008 season: North Shore Tigers ran out 2008 Senior Premiers over University Blues 15. 15 105 to 13. 2. 80 in a fantastic game of footy played to a very high standard. The Tigers first premiership since 1998 broke a stranglehold that University has had for some years. Dillon Stephenson from the Tigers was awarded the Wells Medal for Best on ground. In the Reserve Grade Uni Blues ran out winners over Mt Roskill Saints.

2008 Awards: Terry Carroll Cup for Volunteer of the year: Howard Gilbert (University), Rob Greenwood Cup for Coach of the year: Todd Taverna (University), The Dr Terry Gay Trophy for Leading Goal kicker: Thomas Taungakava (University- 32 goals). Best 1st year player: Shane Anderson (Waitakere), Best & Fairest- U 17 Liam Ackland (Mt Roskill), B & F - Reserves Ben Hick (Mt Roskill). Best & Fairest- Seniors James Monaghan & Todd Taverna (University)

AAFL committee:

President: Rob Greenwood - Previously from Aussie has been involved in the game in NZ for over 20 years as a player, league committee member, AFLNZ Board member & Deputy Chairman –currently also umpiring. A Life member of the AAFL.

Vice President: Steve Fury - Aussie born but has lived in NZ for many years and also involved in footy for over 20 years as a player, league committee member & AFLNZ board member.

Treasurer: David Rugg - A Kiwi been involved in the game for 20+ years as a player, league Treasurer and also currently umpiring. Also has assisted at AFLNZ as Falcons Manager to an International Cup.

Secretary: Terry Carroll - Kiwi approx 20 years involvement with AAFL 18 years on committee as VP, Treasurer, Secretary & also term as Treasurer of AFLNZ. A Life member of the AAFL.

Goals for 2009 season: Looking to strengthen our weaker clubs to provide a more even competition. Develop our junior footy- especially Under 17. Looking to hold a Schools Comp in conjunction with AFLNZ. Win Senior National Provincial Championships to be held Labour Weekend in Auckland. Successful new look Awards night function. A great competitive footy season!!

Otago Australian Rules Football Club

Location within New Zealand: Dunedin

League Establishment Date: 2007

Brief History: The Otago “Riot” Australian Rules Football Club was formed at the end of 2007, with the goal of developing football in New Zealand’s largest city outside of those centres where it is already played.

We wear blue and gold, the traditional Otago colours.

Otago was the first place in New Zealand to be introduced to Australian Rules Football. It arrived during the 1860’s gold rush, which brought thousands of Australians across the Tasman, eager to establish and play the football code that had, at the time, only recently been invented .

With the influx of English school teachers who favoured rugby and soccer, Australian Football disappeared from Otago, until its recent re-emergence.

League Structure: Formed through the University of Otago Students Association, the Otago Australian Rules Football Club is currently in the startup phase of football development. We do not have an established league competition, but instead rely on matches against Canterbury-based sides on a one-off basis. We have a strong relationship with the Christchurch Bulldogs.

Training Grounds: Logan Park, Alhambra Rugby Grounds

Key Committee Members History: Nathan Rose – founder and president 2007-09. New Zealander. Student at the University of Otago. Played Aussie Rules since 2000, and has been a member of Wellington rep sides in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Also spent 2 years in Australia, playing with the Queanbeyan Tigers in the Canberra competition.

Overview of 2008 Season: A hugely successful match was held between Otago and Canterbury on the 11th of October 2008. The inaugural “Waitaki Stone” was contested, and won by Canterbury 10,13 (73) to 6,5 (41). Many of the Otago players were participating in their first ever match of Australian Football.

Otago players also played for the Christchurch Bulldogs in two games – one game where the Bulldogs were defeated by the Eastern Blues, and a second game where the Bulldogs defeated the Uni Cougars for the first time in their history.

Goals for 2009 season:An initial goal was to participate at the 2009 NPC, however with the scheduling falling in the middle of university exams, this is now not realistic.

We are to play a pre-season game against the Christchurch Bulldogs on the 22nd of August in Timaru, and also hope to contest the “Waitaki Stone” again, against the Canterbury Cobras.

Waikato Thunder AFL

Location within New Zealand: Hamilton

League Establishment Date: 2003

Brief History: Waikato Thunder was created by Jim Lucy (who was coaching in Auckland but with 300 odd km round trips for games and trainings had had enough of travelling) with the help from NZAFL general manager Colin Tinknell. An initial meeting at Sport Waikato, along with a sign-up day at Waikato Uni, saw games being played at the University grounds soon afterwards. These were usually 9 a side games but gradually grew, with interest.

In 2004 the inaugural Waikato Thunder side played at the NPC in Christchurch. The team was soundly beaten but with most of the team having had very limited experience up against provincial sides who were battle hardened, they still stood tall.

About 6 players were selected from that NPC to be part of the NZ Falcons squad with 3 getting through to the final team. They were Ryan Spooner, Dougal Henderson and Bevan Morris.

2005 saw some structured footy started with the formation of teams with regular games every weekend. For more experience, some of the Waikato players would travel to Auckland to play on Sundays after their Saturday games in Hamilton.

The Thunder grew in strength and the next NPC (2006) once again saw the team winless, but scare Wellington and Canterbury, being up against Wellington at half time and clawing their way back against a tiring Canterbury.

The 2007 NPC in Wellington proved to be a great one for the Thunder who once again didn’t register a win but scared the pants of all the sides. This time 9 players were selected in the Falcons squad with 3 again getting national honours, Luke Kneebone, Matthew van Wijk and Mitchell Mace.

League Structure: 3 incorporated Clubs fielding Senior teams. Games are played with 12-18 aside. The 3 clubs being the Tui’s, Mavericks and Redbacks

Playing Ground: Resthills Park, Glenview

Goals for 2009 season: To field 18 a side games every week with the team with the bye to officiate. To have more accredited coaches and game officials. To win the 2009 NPC and get a good slice of representative players in the NZ squad. To enhance the game into schools and develop young players into weekend team members. To gain significant sponsorship.