AFL New Zealand has recently partnered with Unitec to provide a new centrally based Auckland venue for the AFL New Zealand Premiership.
Preseason training and testing will take place at the Unitec facilities to provide increased accessibility for Auckland based participants who have in previous seasons travelled to QBE Stadium, a further 25 kilometres North of Central Auckland.
A player survey was carried out following the 2018 season with this outlining a preference for a centrally based training venue in Auckland.
AFL New Zealand Premiership Coordinator Jordan McGregor stated, “In consideration of the issues concerning peak hour traffic for those based in Auckland, the Unitec partnership will provide considerable benefits to our coaching, player and management base.”
The locations proximity to Western Springs Stadium and the current redevelopment work currently underway is also a benefit as we work towards the future facility growth for AFL.
The venue will include two training fields and playing field dressing rooms as well as periodic access to the Unitec indoor facilities that also be utilised for the newly developed “Master Class” programme that will underpin the recruitment of female participants for Youth, Academy and the future AFL New Zealand Women’s Premiership and selection for the debut of the New Zealand Kahu at the 2020 International Cup.
