Kiwi and the Kahus - Part 2
- Thursday, October 17 2013 @ 06:41 am ACDT
- Contributed by: Troy Thompson
- Views: 2,286
We continue Lisa 'Kiwi' Roper's review of the recent tour by the Australian Under 16 girls team, the Breeze and their matches against the NZ girls team, the Kahus.
Game 2 was a different affair. Both coaching panels deciding that two mixed teams would further the playing development of the Kahus and leadership of the Breeze. What should have been an even contest ended up with the team coached by both assistant Coaches winning by a large margin and the Head Coaches copping plenty, as the spirit between this Trans-Tasman contest was more of great friends than the usual rivalries across all sports.
For myself, and many around, this only increased our excitement as to what we would see in Game 3. Just how much could a bunch of young athletes improve in a sport where they barely know the rules, most likely not actually seen a real AFL match, and have now only played two games in this code?
As we switched fields to the northern city of Whangarei, the weather turned a little and may have been more an omen as the Kahus prepared to now take on both Breeze - the talented Aussies and the tougher breeze blowing across the field, requiring some extra work on securing the goalposts and scoreboard. Yes, as the team packed boots and water bottles, the coach packed in the goalposts, as the sport continues to grow in New Zealand, one cannot just drive off to another town and expect to find an oval ready to play on, well not yet. The heart and determination of these girls and the NZ AFL will likely change that. Again the Aussies dominated, but this game was not as one way as Game 1. The Kahus created more scoring opportunities and can surely blame the wind on pushing the ball through the short sticks more than the centre posts. The tackling was stronger and to see a few of the Aussies just back off a little proved that the physicality was getting to them.
Both teams had lost a player to injury prior to this match, so as the friendships off the field developed, the competitiveness on it was just as tough as ever. Getting into better positions for the ball and supporting each other were huge areas of improvement for the Kahus.
To see the fullback do a purposeful rush behind, after not even knowing what it was 5 days ago shows just how much these girls have learnt and developed in an incredibly small amount of time. 
The work that Mick Coultard and Mike Gregsan have put in with these girls and will continue to put in will only ensure this steep learning curve continues on the up and up. All the players enjoyed themselves so much, all they can ask is “when do we train again?” Seeing how much they can grow from 6 weeks of training and 3 matches, can only excite the followers of the code and anyone supporting the black ‘n whites.
As all players are encouraged to continue playing their rugby, basketball or netball codes, one can only imagine how quickly these skills will develop and it will not be long before the Kahus put their hands on the cup with their own style of footy.
I must say also, that both teams were fantastic ambassadors of the game, the spirit and good sportsmanship displayed, and the support and encouraging experienced words from the Breeze Coaching panel Chyloe Kurdas, Michelle Cowan and Alicia Eva did not fall on deaf ears.
So what is next for these ground breakers? The 2014 high performance programme will start in a couple of weeks, with a view to females playing at the NZ National Championships in either March or April. From that the basis of the Womens team will be selected to build towards the International Cup 2014. Give them a few years and I can see the potential for a New Zealand age group team playing in the U18 or schoolgirl nationals in Australia, and then having a team joining into the proposed Australian Professional Women’s league. The only way is up, and any Kiwi will tell you, once we get good at a sport, we dominate the world – just ask any rugby player.
What can we do in Oz? New Zealand born female players residing in Australia could perhaps get together, pop over the ditch and run a few clinics, host any players wanting to stay in Oz take them along to training and increase their experience of the game, tell your relies at home about the great game and put them in touch with a nearby club or school, or just get along and show the Aussies that we can play, and we will be contenders in a short time. I’m sure many others have some great ideas too, so feel free to let me know, and let’s continue this wrecking ball rolling.
Pic 1 – Kahus and Breeze players, bonding off the field.
Pic 2 – Breeze doing recovery at the very pretty yet cold Piha Beach.
Pic 3 – 14 year old Kayla Paniora sharing what she has learnt with her team before heading north
Pic 4 -- Everyone involved on and off the field (including the very tall Rob Vanstam at the back).
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