Over the past three months AFL New Zealand have looked to identify athletes who have the attributes to be considered for New Zealand Senior selection in 2018. The 2018 ANZAC campaign will be played at Westpac Stadium on April 24th.
The New Zealand National Senior wider squad 2018 and selection timeline
The 2018 campaign will see the respective selection processes carried out independently of each other with the criteria for eligibility. Considerations are placed on country of birth, International Scholarship selection and player development.
Those involved in the initial squad who miss selection for the ANZAC campaign and fulfil the required criteria, will still have the opportunity to be selected at a later date.
Feb 20th 2018 The wider squad for the ANZAC campaign will be initially selected.
Mar 20th 2018 Additions and subtractions for the ANZAC campaign made to the initial squad. Performance related.
Mar 27th 2018 Squad of 30 named for the ANZAC campaign (2 AFL New Zealand Premiership games remaining)
Apr 10th 2018 Final squad of 24 and 2 emergencies for ANZAC campaign named to go to Wellington.
Additions can and will be made to the wider squad to replace players that are not meeting the obligations required for our premier national team. The selection process has commenced with training attendance, fitness, attitude, communication continually measured.
Campaign dates
New Zealand vs Australian AFL Academy team. Players arriving in Wellington 21st April and departing 25th April 2018 (1 game).
Game Venues
The match against the AFL Academy team will be played at Wellington Westpac Stadium and will commence at 11.30am on Tuesday April 24th 2018.
New Zealand Seniors Wider Squad Management team
Head Coach: Rob Malone
Assistant Coach: Justin Davies
Assistant Coach: Chris Mundell
Manager: Howard Gilbert
Physio: Chris Johns
Further appointments including regional coaching staff, runner, team mangers and physiotherapy personnel will be finalised in the near future.
ANZAC High Performance Awards Evening
The AFLNZ High Performance Awards Function will take place on Sunday April 22nd at the Macs Function Centre in Wellington at 6.00pm.
The event will include;
- The New Zealand Team announcement
- Awards for Rising Star, U16, U18, Senior, Female, Volunteer and Coach of the year
- The announcement of the 2018 New Zealand Heritage team
Limited tickets will be available to those outside the group at a cost TBC for those who have family and friends wishing to attend.
