The Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League and AFL New Zealand have confirmed that the tour of Aotearoa will return in April 2023.
The Level 1, Level 2 and U18 Kahu AFL New Zealand Academy will play a 2 game series against three Mornington Peninsula BlueScope Steelers sides in Auckland.
This will be the seventh time a team from the Mornington Peninsula BlueScope Steelers will travel to New Zealand and the League is looking forward to the 5 day trip. President of the region Andrew Souter and his Committee, has been successful in creating an annual fixture between the three teams.
Due to travel restrictions from Covid-19 over the past two years, the highly successful tour has not been able to take place.
Dates are now in place for the tour commencing Friday April 14th 2023/Departures New Zealand teams Monday April 17th, Mornington Teams Tuesday April 18th 2023.
The tour will have a variety of cultural, football and friendship experiences available to the travelling teams. The itinerary will include;
- A welcome function on arrival to unite New Zealand and Mornington participants in preparation for the tour ahead
- Three series against New Zealand Representative teams;
- Under 14 Boys to play the Level 1 AFL New Zealand Academy in two matches
- Under 15/16 Boys to play the Level 2 AFL New Zealand Academy in two matches
- Youth Girls to play the New Zealand Youth Girls in two matches
- The opportunity to experience the New Zealand Haka as a challenge of respect.
- Attendance at the AFL New Zealand Awards Dinner Function
- After match functions with the presentation of awards
AFL New Zealand Academy
The 2023 AFL New Zealand Academy will commence early on Sunday February 13th 2023. The Academy is seen as the perfect opportunity for continued development from initial involvement at Secondary School or Youth Programme level towards High Performance, New Zealand Representation and International opportunities.
Increased links to both the Women’s and Men’s AFL New Zealand Premiership will provide fantastic opportunities for Academy Participants.
AFL New Zealand Youth Programme
AFL New Zealand has created its Youth programme for new players to participate in the sport of AFL.
Within the AFL New Zealand Youth programme there is a focus on improving the participants skills and fitness along with a training, game and development programme through a fun and enjoyable pathway.
The AFL New Zealand Youth programme includes five centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Youth Benefits Include
- Each registered player will receive an AFL New Zealand Youth Top
- AFL Football (Please make sure you label these with your name to ensure retention.)
- 7 week programme
- Development programme
- Weekly awards
- Selection opportunities for:
- National Combine
- AFL New Zealand Academy
- New Zealand representation
- International Scholarship.
AFL New Zealand Academy vs Mornington Peninsula
Friday April 14th 2023
- NZ Teams arrive morning
- MPJFL arrive afternoon
- Welcome Functions evening
Saturday April 15th 2023
- Game 1 NZ vs MPJFL
- High Performance Awards/Community Awards Evening
Sunday April 16th 2023
- Events to be confirmed
Monday April 17th 2023
- Game 2 NZ vs MPJFL
- NZ Teams depart
Tuesday April 18th 2023
- Mornington teams depart
