The New Zealand Hawks will return to the Capital to take on the best young players from Australia in April.
The AFL have confirmed that the Australian Under 17 team as part of the NAB AFL Academy will return to New Zealand shores to take on the senior NZ Hawks national side in a one off game at Westpac Stadium on the 24th of April 2017.
Lead by AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan, the trip will be the 6th time the Australian Under 17 side has toured New Zealand and Sheehan is excited to bring back a brand new squad full of talent. “We certainly look forward returning to New Zealand once again and building on the successful experiences of past NAB AFL Academy tours.”
After five competitive matches since its inception in 2011, the New Zealand Hawks will be looking to record their first win over the visitors in what will be a fantastic weekend for the sport in New Zealand.
The Hawks team last played the Australian Under 17’s in April 2016 at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland where the New Zealanders performed well against the elite youth of Australia but were defeated by the skillful Aussies.
The Hawks will have perfect preparation in the lead up where the team will be selected from the AFL New Zealand Premiership commencing February 12. The Premiership is seen as the perfect opportunity for a higher level competition providing an extension to the traditional regional league seasons spanning between August to December each year.
Entry is FREE on the day.
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