World Footy News

WFN have previously had a detailed look at 3 of the competitions in NZ - Auckland, Otago and Waikato. Here is a brief synopsis of the Canterbury Australian Football League based in Christchurch on the South Island.

League name: Canterbury AFL

Location within New Zealand: Canterbury region, South Island

League Establishment Date: 1999 for current incarnation

Brief History: The brainchild of Tony Blackwell, Paul Arztenhofer, Dan Gilman and Ian McWhinnie who formed the first committee and wrote the constitution in 1999. The league had started and faltered in the early 1970's under the reign of George Lanyon, a Melbourne boy who came to Christchurch in the late 1960's. It continued with various commitment until the re-launch in 1999.

It has only grown stronger with age and now attracts a strongly credentialed committee of Aussie ex-pats and locals. The highlight in 1999 was the telecasting of all games on local television. The league has struggled to find a home due to the season calender which is nestled between the rugby and cricket seasons, just when the council is undertaking its ground maintenance program across the region.

The Eastern Blues are the only surviving founding club, with the University Cougars approaching their 10th year. It's only been in the past 4-years that a 4-team competition has existed thanks to the arrival of the Mid-Canterbury Eagles and Christchurch Bulldogs. The Eagles became airborne when a young university physicist, Sam Whitehead, was inspired to play the game by an Aussie lecturer. He found support in Ashburton, the hub of mid-Canterbury, from Aussie ex-pat, Kevin Monson. The Bulldogs gained their bite when Messrs Keating and Langridge broke away from the all conquering Cougars in 2006 to kick start a new fourth team.

League Structure: The CAFL is a work in progress, with 4-senior teams and potentially a reserves grade competition in 2009. Each club, Eagles, Blues, Bulldogs and Cougars is an incorporated society.

Playing Grounds: Westminster Park and Northwood Park

Key Committee Members History:

Terry Anderson, President: Melbourne bred with 11-years involvement in the CAFL
Steve Langridge, VP: Ex-Geelong lad, in mid-30's, still playing for the Bulldogs as captain and committee member
Russell Bodger, Treasurer: Ex-Adelaide boy who had a distinguished playing career. Hopes to play a few games in his 50th year

Overview of 2008 Season: A tightly contested season saw the Blues win their third straight premiership, though stretched and beaten at times by the other three teams.

Goals for 2009 season: an evening up of the competition and hopefully a reserves grade. Certainly more volunteers are required and especially non-playing umpires

For more go to http://www.cafl.co.nz and/or http://www.nzafl.co.nz