On the 14th and 15th of March 2009, the New Zealand AFL will hold its Under 20 National Provincial Championships (NPC) in Christchurch at Westminster Park. The tournament will involve representative teams from Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury and has already created interest in AFL circles with several talent scouts to be in attendance.
From the players participating, a New Zealand talent squad will be selected and will compete as a team in the Senior National Provincial Championships in Auckland in October later this year.
The tournament favourites will be Auckland, who are expected to dominate the weekend due to the depth of talent available from a domestic league that boasts two senior grades and a stronger pathway for those looking to aspire to greater heights within the code. Over the past five years the average age of players in the competition in the Auckland region has dropped dramatically. The mix of a few experienced Australian expatriates and fit and willing New Zealand youngsters seems to be a recipe for success. Given the run-down from the teams that follows below, it appears Canterbury will finish second and Wellington will struggle to compete at all.
This recipe has resulted in an abundance of new, fresh faces from New Zealand’s shores eager to replicate the outstanding skills and intensity shown by very good Australian players. More and more players from minor leagues in Australia are making their way across the Tasman to participate in the New Zealand domestic competitions that start straight after the end of the Australian season.
Read on for a run-down of each of the competing sides.