New Zealand Falcons
The New Zealand Senior Men’s team represents AFL New Zealand as its premier team and traditionally, prior to Covid, played against the touring AFL Academy in April each year as well as participating in the International Cup every three years.
The New Zealand national side were last winners of the International Cup in 2005 defeating Papua New Guinea in the grand final played at the MCG in front of 30,000 people.
The Falcons New Zealand Senior Men’s team will aim to provide opportunities to all male players currently playing in the AFL New Zealand Premiership or with a club in Australia.
New Zealand Kahu
The New Zealand Senior women’s team represents AFL New Zealand as its premier team. The Kahu were due to make their debut appearance at 2020 International Cup, cancelled due to Covid. The Cup will next take place on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia in August 2024. International opportunities in 2023 are now being investigated as international travel recommences’
The Junior New Zealand Kahu have had recent success currently sitting on seven successful victories. With the amount of New Zealand Heritage talent playing within Australia’s top competition, the AFLW, the depth of talents bodes well for future senior Kahu teams
The New Zealand Senior Kahu team provide opportunities for all female players currently playing in the New Zealand’s major domestic competitions and the Australian club scene.
Pacific Cup
Date: November 2024 Host: TBC – in Australia
Invited nations: Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, South Africa
Three events – the Asia Cup, Pacific Cup and Trans-Atlantic Cup – will be the first AFL-sanctioned international championships since 2017 and will each comprise open male and female divisions. The Pacific Cup will also include under 18 male and female divisions.
With the International Cup currently on hold, the Pacific Cup will provide the greatest opportunity to date for New Zealanders to represent their country on the international stage since 2017. New Zealand will be able to enter four teams into the Pacific Cup, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Men’s U18’s and Women’s U18’s to compete against other pacific nations including rivals Papa New Guinea. Full details are yet to be released on the Pacific Cup but AFL New Zealand is excited about the prospect of new opportunities for all players based in New Zealand.
New Zealand All Stars
The NZ All Stars, New Zealand Falcons game will be an addition to the calendar and provide a solid contest for players currently playing at the highest level. The All Stars provides the perfect opportunity for Australian players based in New Zealand who do not qualify for Falcons selection, a chance to represent at higher honours, as well as providing those on the cusp of Falcons selection a chance to showcase their skills.
New Zealand U18
For 2023 Campaign – Those born 2005 and 2006 (Full Pathway)
Is for players turning 18 or younger at the time of selection of the wider squad at the end of November each year and currently playing in the AFL New Zealand Youth Programmes, Local Club or the AFL New Zealand Premiership. These players will be looking to take the next step through their U18 experience targeting the New Zealand Seniors the following year. Those selected in the New Zealand U18 team tour Melbourne, Victoria Late April each year. This tour includes being hosted by the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League, associating with clubs of all levels, playing against a local team and attending an AFL fixture.
The Pacific Cup scheduled for November 2024 is a new opportunity with further details to be released shortly
AFL New Zealand Academy Level 2
For 2023 Campaign – Those born 2007 and 2008 (Full Pathway)
Is for players continuing their New Zealand representative pathway with their next step New Zealand U18 or New Zealand Seniors. Players of the AFL New Zealand Youth Programme born 2007 and 2008 are eligible for selection in the AFL New Zealand Academy Level 2 squad. With a two match series against a touring Australian team April of each year.
The Oceania Cup scheduled for December 2024 is a new opportunity with further details to be released shortly.
AFL New Zealand Academy Level 1
For 2023 Campaign – Those born 2009 and 2010 (Full Pathway)
Is for players that are new entrants to New Zealand representative pathway. Players of the AFL New Zealand Youth Programme born 2009 and 2010 are eligible for selection in the AFL New Zealand Academy Level 1 squad. With a two match series against a touring Australian team April of each year.
New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls
For 2023 Campaign – Those born between 2006 and 2010 (Full Pathway)
The New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls is for players selected from a series of Combine testing, trials, participation in the AFL New Zealand Youth Programme and AFL New Zealand Academy who are born between 2006 and 2010. Those selected in the New Zealand U18 Youth Girls will play a two match series against a touring Australian side April of each year. Several of these players will be working towards selection in the AFLW U18 National Championships in Australia, May of each year.
The Youth Girls debuted against the touring Australian Youth Girls team in October 2013 in a three match series. This series was repeated in early October 2014, with a further tournament taking place against the Woomeras, Australia’s best female indigenous players in December 2014 and 2015.The New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls were last winners in their successful series campaign against Mornington Peninsula Youth Girls, April 2017 played at Wellingtons Hutt Park.
The Pacific Cup scheduled for November 2024 is a new opportunity with further details to be released shortly.
Talent identification is conducted through Secondary School Programmes and the AFLNZ Youth Programme.
If you would like to learn more about the AFL New Zealand High Performance Programme, Secondary School Programmes or how you can play AFL and represent New Zealand, please get in touch with AFLNZ, playafl@aflnz.co.nz or 09 4480305.
