The 2023 AFL New Zealand Academy is back underway as it prepares for the return of the Mornington Peninsula National Campaign in April. The Campaign will be first since 2019 and act as the restart of international calendar.
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.
The 8-week programme is based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch training hubs, and focuses on improving athlete skills (kicking, catching, passing, and bouncing), accompanied with fitness, training, game and personal development programme.
Academy Participants have a fantastic opportunity to represent their country through selection for the AFL New Zealand Teams Programme competing against Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League 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.
The Academy has seen a number of successes over the years, from our NZ Kahu side which won 7 straight games against Australian sides, to players making it all the way to the Senior NZ Falcons team and professional sporting careers in other codes.
Previous players who have come through the Academy include
- Sam Dickson (NZ Sevens)
- Shaun Johnson (One NZ Warriors)
- Will Warbrick (NZ Sevens, Now Melbourne Storm)
- Misilifi Faimalo (Richmond Tigers VFL)
If you are interested in joining the AFL New Zealand Academy, please fill out the expression of interest form linked below
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
