World Footy News

New Zealand’s third place finish at the inaugural Oceania Cup may have made some believe that they had underachieved but AFLNZ CEO, Rob Vanstam, had clearly stated beforehand that the team the NZ Hawks would be represented by would be exceptionally young with many able to return for next years’ tournament. As such there are many positives to spring from their involvement in the tournament.

One of these is that New Zealand have announced, while at the Oceania Cup, the opening of an AFL New Zealand Academy in March 2010. Newly appointed chief of AFL's High Performance, Jason McCartney, was supportive of the initiative. AFL New Zealand has targeted 100 first choice athletes to become part of the academy by the end of 2012 with the hope of preparing suitable candidates for AFL International Scholarships. The new academy will assist AFL clubs with easy access to both monitor development and provide input towards potential stars at a minimum outlay.

Four players were selected as the first inductees of the academy at the conclusion of the Oceania Tournament. These players will be introduced to the six pillars of the AFL's High Performance template, focusing not only on playing ability but all the necessities required to make the step towards participating at the highest level.

The format of the Oceania Cup provided Academy selectors with the perfect opportunity to view all aspects of players’ abilities and character. The backdrop of cultural exchanges, the challenges of a foreign environment and the ability to adapt to new surroundings coupled with training and playing results saw the following four names as the inaugural inductees of the academy:-

Kurt Heatherley: DOB 1/1/1995 Hgt 192cm Wgt 78kg. Kurt has recently been signed by the Hawthorn Football Club on the Trent Croad Scholarship. An outstanding competitor who has reached national representation in basketball with good aerobic capacity and good speed.

Rhys Panui Leth: DOB 7/8/1994 Hgt 188cm Wgt 76kg vertical leap 62cm. A representative player in touch football, rugby and motor cross, Rhys is a driven athlete with strong overhead capabilities. His ability to learn quickly and set and achieve targets shows amazing maturity.

Shem Tatupu: DOB 13/11/1995 Hgt 187cm Wgt 81 kg vertical leap 65cm. The youngest competitor at the Oceania Cup and a natural athlete. Son of former Kiwi Rugby League player Tony Tatupu, Shem has an amazing vertical leap that he uses to his advantage in the playing arena. He has a future in what ever sport he chooses.

Dominic Purdie-Timoteo: DOB 18/2/1995 Hgt 196cm Wgt 95 kg. Dominic has amazing coordination and skill for a boy of his size at such a young age. He lead the Oceania carnival for most handballs and already looks like an excellent ruck prospect. Reads the play well and an attentive learner.

Both Kurt Heatherley and Rhys Panui-Leith were among New Zealand’s eight members selected for the Pacific Nations training squad for the 2010 AFL U16 Championships. Joining them in the squad are fellow NZ Hawks Brodie Cleave, Brandon Sucu, Sami Tuitupou Michael Vaea Ki, David Fusitu’a and Lokeni Gavet,

In other news from the Oceania tournament it appears that the NZ Hawks have uncovered a potential leader for the future in their captain Sami Tuitupou. In the coming together of five nations, to play a game that most have never been exposed to only two months beforehand, it was an amazing experience that brought out the best in individuals attending. New Zealand’s newest captain stood before the five attending nations and spoke on behalf of New Zealand. After initially welcoming all nations in their native tongues, he then proceeded to talk on how every one of the attending nations was represented within the New Zealand team. To add to the mix he spoke of the Maori, Pakeha (European), South African and Scottish ancestral links the Hawks also contained within their playing ranks. Smoothly he closed with "A special moment to be amongst new friends and old family ties" as he wished all competitors luck for the upcoming tournament. At the conclusion of the speech he was greeted with a loud round of applause which was closely followed by a scramble by the other nations to enjoy photograph opportunities dependent on their varying ancestral links with the New Zealand team.

You couldn’t ask for a more defining moment of how Aussie Rules can bring together players of different nationalities and forge a common bond and it can be safely assumed that Sami’s speech set the tone for what was clearly a fantastic tournament for all involved on and off field.

For further related information see:

AFL New Zealand Academy springs from Oceania Cup

Sami Tuitupou "A leader beyond his years"

Oceania Training Squad named