St Kilda is set to be further entrenched as New Zealand’s AFL team of choice, with the club to hold its High Performance Training Camp and AFL Australia Post Community Camps in the country.
The Saints playing list will be spread over Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch for three days as part of the AFL Australia Post Community Camp from December 1-3.
Robert Vanstam, CEO of AFL New Zealand, warmly welcomes the visit from the St Kilda Saints.
“We’re starting to see St Kilda here more and more, and it’s fantastic to see the club expanding on their ANZAC Day matches by working at a community level in New Zealand. As St Kilda’s fan base grows, so will the profile of the sport of AFL.”
The squad will then meet in Queenstown to complete its High Performance training camp. The Saints will hold a 10-day camp in the picturesque New Zealand town, where they will hike through Queenstown’s famous mountains, tackle the rapids of Arthurs Peak and hone their skills using state of the art training facilities.
The new location of the High Performance Training Camp is in line with the club’s New Zealand strategy after the Saints have played home games on Anzac Day at Westpac Stadium, Wellington for each of the past two years.
St Kilda’s NZ International Scholarship holders Giovanni Mountain Silbery and Joe Baker-Thomas.St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said it was exciting for St Kilda to step away from its usual training environment and work together in an outstanding location not too far from home.
“New Zealand is a stunning country and Queenstown epitomises this,” Finnis said.
“Our players are very much looking forward to what lies ahead. While the High Performance camp will be a demanding and difficult camp in many ways, the scenery is amazing and the activities planned will definitely be a step away from standard pre-season training.”
Finnis said the club was looking forward to hosting a third consecutive Anzac Day home game in 2015, on a day that will mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
“As our two countries look ahead and unite for such an important day, we acknowledge the historical significance of the Australian and New Zealand relationship,” Finnis said.
“This game gives our supporters a time to remember in a place they will never forget.
“By developing the Australian game in New Zealand, we are committed to being New Zealand’s team and this has only been further proven by the decision to hold our High Performance Training camp at our home away from home.”
St Kilda Community Camp Events
North Harbour
Wednesday 3 December:
- Northcote College School Visit: 10.00am – 11.30am.
- Murrays Bay Intermediate School Visit: 1.35pm – 3.00pm
Waitakere
Tuesday 2 December:
- Rosebank School visit: 9.30am – 11.30am.
- Avondale Primary School visit: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
- Regional Club players training, Parrs Park: Open to all players in Auckland AFL clubs. 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
Central Auckland
Tuesday 2 December:
- Freemans Bay School visit: 9.30am – 11.30am.
- Richmond Road School visit: 1.00 – 3.00pm.
Counties Manukau
Wednesday 3 December:
- Bairds Mainfreight Primary School visit: 9.10am – 11.10am.
- Aorere College School visit, with AFL International Scholarship holder Giovanni Mountain Silbery: 2.20pm – 4.30pm.
- AFL New Zealand High Performance Programme training with St Kilda Saints players: Papatoetoe Sports Centre. 5.30pm – 7.00pm.
Wellington Region
Tuesday 2 December:
- Amesbury School visit: 9.00am – 11.00am.
- Johnsonville School visit: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
- Hutt Central School visit: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
- AFL New Zealand High Performance Programme training with St Kilda Saints players: Hutt Park. 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
Wednesday 3 December:
- Paremata School visit: 9.00am – 11.00am.
- Fraser Crescent School visit: 9.00am – 11.00am.
- Rangikura School visit: 1.50pm – 3.00pm.
- Porirua College School visit, with AFL International Scholarship holder Joe Baker Thomas: 1.00pm – 2.00pm.
- Regional Club players training, Prince of Wales Park: Open to all players in Wellington AFL clubs. 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
Canterbury Region
Tuesday 2 December:
- Prebbleton School visit: 9.30am – 11.20am.
- Oakland School visit: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
- NPC Squad and High Performance players training with St Kilda Saints players, Westminster Park: 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
Wednesday 3 December:
- Breens Intermediate School visit: 9.30am – 11.30am.
- Halswell School visit: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.
*Events may be subject to change.
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