The Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League and AFL New Zealand look forward to the tour of Aotearoa in April 2023.
The AFL New Zealand Falcons, Level 1, Level 2 and Kahu Youth teams, will each play a 2 game series against three visiting Mornington Peninsula BlueScope Steelers teams, in Auckland at North Harbour Stadium.
This will be the seventh time a team from the Mornington Peninsula BlueScope Steelers will travel to New Zealand and follows on from a long and successful partnership with AFL New Zealand.
The tour will have a variety of cultural, football and friendship experiences available to the travelling teams.
A maximum of 24 players per team will be nominated to experience the amazing tour experience involving the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League between Friday April 14th and Monday April 17th 2023.
AFL New Zealand Falcons Teams Age groups (L1, L2 and Youth Girls)
AFL New Zealand Falcons Level 1 Boys ( Born 2008 and 2009)
AFL New Zealand Falcons Level 2 Boys ( Born 2006 and 2007)
AFL NZ New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls (Born 2005 to 2009)
Campaign dates
Arriving in Auckland early on Friday April 14th and departing on Monday April 17th 2023. The tour takes place during New Zealand school holidays.
Training Schedule
New Zealand based players will participate in the AFL New Zealand Academy training sessions leading into the campaign. Days and times will vary dependent on location and will be advised.
Game Venue
All matches will take place at North Harbour Stadium Auckland firstly on Saturday April 15th and then on Monday April 17th against Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League. A final schedule will be released in March to all those involved.
Game Timings
Game 1
Level 1 vs MP U14 10:00am
Youth Girls vs MP Youth Girls 11:45am
Level 2 vs MP U16 1:30pm
Game 2
Level 1 vs MP U14 10:30am
Level 2 vs MP U16 12:30pm
Youth Girls vs MP Youth Girls 2:45pm
New Zealand Coaches and Management team
New Zealand based coaches and regional assistants to be advised
Accommodation
The AFL New Zealand teams will reside at Auckland Central YHA for the nights of April 14,15,16th . All accommodation costs are covered through your player contribution. Parents will be advised of accommodation options in the near future
Team Uniforms
The team will be supplied with playing uniforms consisting of New Zealand playing shorts, playing jumper, socks and gear bag. You will also receive New Zealand jacket, polo and gym shorts as part of your off field uniform. All these items are covered through your player contribution.
The boys will be required supply black dress pants, shoes and belt as additional elements of your uniform. The Kahu Youth girls will determine collectively additional dress requirements.
Welcome Function
A Welcome function will be held on Friday April 14th at Auckland University of Technology with timings to be forwarded in March. Players attendance will be covered within your financial contributions.
Start times
Level 1 & MP U14’s 4:30pm
Youth Girls 6:15pm
Level 2 & MP U16 8:00pm
Game 1 Saturday April 15th After Match Function
Following on from the matches played on Saturday April 15th, there will be appropriate meals determined by game time, for touring parties only, at the After Match function to be held at Marist North Harbour Club Rooms, walking distance from the game venue. Brief speeches will be made with the Awards delayed to the Awards Function at Auckland University of Technology later that evening. For those outside the touring party, and family and friends wishing to attend, attendance is welcomed. Ticket information can be located below.
Award Function Saturday April 15th
The event includes a fantastic dinner and the attendance of the 6 playing groups from New Zealand and Mornington Peninsula. Players attendance will be covered within your financial contributions.
Best player awards for both teams will be presented along with speeches from coaching staff and award winners. Attendees are provided with an evening featuring guest speakers, a description of New Zealand’s AFL journey and development along with community awards to celebrate the amazing ANZAC connection shared between the two group.
Attendance at the AFL New Zealand Premiership Grand Final April 16th
Teams will attend North Harbour Stadium on Sunday April 16th for matches featuring both the Women’s and Men’s AFL New Zealand Premiership Grand Final’s.
Game 2 Monday April 17th After Match Function
Following on from the matches played on Monday April 17th, there will be meals and awards presented at the After Match function to be held at Marist North Harbour Club Rooms, walking distance from the game venue.
Best player awards for both teams as well as the match trophy will be presented along with speeches from coaching staff and award winners. Attendance at the awards is covered through your player contributions.
For those outside the touring party, and family and friends wishing to attend, attendance is welcomed but meals will not be provided.
Discretionary spending
We do recommend access to private funds to accommodate snacks, souvenirs or discretionary spending during the trip. Levels should be predetermined by respective families to ensure overspending does not take place.
Meals
All meals throughout the tour are provided to the participants. Commencing with mid morning brunch on arrival for those flying in on Friday April 14th and completed with an after match meal on Monday April 17th.
International and Domestic Flights
We are expecting players to participate from venues including Melbourne, Brisbane, Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Northland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland.
All domestic and international flights will be booked and paid for by AFL New Zealand and are covered through your player contributions.
Flights will arrive in Auckland commencing from the morning of Friday April 14th with a training session scheduled on arrival at North Harbour Stadium.
Ground Transportation
All ground transportation costs to and from airport, accommodation and playing venue will be in group travel and is covered through your player contributions.
Covid Protocols
Updated Covid protocol requirements will follow Australian and New Zealand Government guidelines and will be provided in the lead up to the campaign.
Additions to the 2023 New Zealand Team Groups
Please note additions can and will be made to the squad to replace players that are not meeting the obligations required for national team selection.
