With the cancellation of the International Cup in 2020 due to Covid 19, AFL New Zealand will explore alternatives for the 2021 season to ensure the National Teams Programme can continue.
The International Cup tournament scheduled for the Sunshine Coast in August 2020, was to be the debut appearance for the Women’s New Zealand Kahu as well as the seventh appearance for the Men’s New Zealand Falcons
Currently, there is no clear line of sight on a reschedule of the tournament in 2021 and so as an alternative New Zealand will look to compete with Papua New Guinea and Nauru in a tournament based in Brisbane in August 2021.
Targeting both Men and Women, the international contest will provide quality opposition and a strong challenge for the New Zealand teams.
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos and the New Zealand Falcons have previously appeared in three International Cup Grand Finals all played on the MCG with margins of less than three goals between the teams on each occasion.
AFL New Zealand High Performance Manager Georgina Gatenby was buoyed by the calendar additions.
“The recent growth in women’s competitions within New Zealand can now be complimented by an international event for those who wish to excel with the New Zealand Kahu. The men’s AFL New Zealand Premiership competition will be bolstered by a large number of returning players from overseas locations and so positions within the Falcons will be hotly contested.”
Dates in August 2021 are yet to be finalised and will rely on an upgrade of the current Covid-19 travel restrictions.
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