NZ Hawks U18 Training Squad

The Wider U18 NZ Hawks Squad 2013 has been selected.
The Squad has been selected through the AFLNZ Combine Programme, NZ Hawks High Performance Programme as well as participation in the AFLNZ U18 National Championships held in Wellington.

The Squad commences regional training in late August in preparation to be…

League star Tony Tatupu's son soars

With a Sherrin wedged under his right bicep and sporting Hawthorn’s team colours, Shem Tatupu, a year 13 student at St Peters College in Mt Eden, Auckland, sets off on a primary school visit in Melbourne – an exercise in winning young hearts and minds.
Not that the kids need…

NZ Hawks vs South Pacific Series Awards

The series between the Hawks and the South Pacific Academy concluded with an awards ceremony. For a series played in such a good spirit, it was fitting that the teams recognised their opposition with awards.
The presentation began with a speech from AFLNZ CEO Rob Vanstam. He saluted both teams…

Hawks make it two from two

Played at Hutt Park in Wellington the NZ Hawks went into the game looking to take the series after winning the first game on ANZAC Day at Wellington Stadium. As many observers noted, both teams were playing two games. One with the wind and one against it.
A reasonable crowd…

NZ Hawks too good in curtain raiser

The AFL Anzac Day clash was not all about the Swans and the Saints. A crowd which grew from around 100 to 2000 spectators saw a very good game of running football played between the NZ Hawks and the South Pacific Academy U18′s.
Predictably the Hawks won, with an…

Under 18 Tournament Review

The U-18 Lightning Cup is one of the many initiatives undertaken by AFLNZ that will grow the sport in New Zealand. More than 50 of the best schoolboy footy players in the country converged on Wellington, eager to test and develop their skills.
The potential rewards for players at…

Siope Ngata Feature on ABC

Hawthorn International Scholarship holder Siope Ngata is the focus of a news piece from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on AFL in New Zealand. Watch the video here, transcript below.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 23/04/2013 Reporter: Dominique Schwartz

The first AFL Premiership points to be played for outside Australia…

St Kilda sign Porirua teen on scholarship

Porirua teenager Joe Baker-Thomas didn’t think he would be able to sleep last night after becoming the first Kiwi to receive an international rookie scholarship from St Kilda.
The 16-year-old hadn’t played a single game of AFL before this month but he caught the eye…

AFL.com.au: Pleased and confused: Footy crosses the Tasman

IT MIGHT not have been pretty but those who turned out to witness the AFL’s venture into international territory on Thursday night seemed to enjoy it anyway.
It was estimated around 4500 attendees of the 22,546-strong crowd that watched the Sydney Swans beat St Kilda by 16…

AFL boys put on show for new Wellington fans

Wellington unfurled a vast, green welcome mat to the AFL, and the blokes in the guernseys strolled on through like they’d been here a thousand times.
It was Westpac Stadium not as we know it, but as we’d like to know it more often. The stadium has always…

Sydney Swans win historic Wellington match

St Kilda coach Scott Watters thanked Wellington for its support of the Saints despite making a losing start at their new home away from home last night.
The Sydney Swans were predictable party poopers as they defeated St Kilda 79-63 in the first game of AFL played outside of…

Under 18 National Championships Match Reports

Game 1
Giants 15 vs Eagles 53
The first game of the tournament was between the Giants, coached by Mick Coultard, and Shannon Wall’s Eagles. Both teams were looking to impress early, but it was the Eagles who dominated. They managed to keep possession early with clever kicks and…