New Zealand
New Zealanders have been playing Australian football for just as long as Aussies have. In 1882 there were 36 New Zealand clubs playing the sport. By 1901, they had 115 Australian football teams.
Today four leagues operate under the banner of AFL New Zealand:
- Six clubs in Auckland
- Four clubs in Wellington
- Four clubs in Canterbury on the South Island
- Three teams in the Waikato league, two hours south of Auckland
Football is played during summer to accommodate rugby and soccer schedules.
Next year (2013) will mark an historic development in New Zealand's Australian football history when two AFL clubs -- the Sydney Swans and St Kilda -- play a match for Premiership points on Anzac Day in Wellington.
NZAFL Senior Leagues/Clubs
Auckland AFL | Wellington AFL | Canterbury AFL | Waikato AFL |
|---|---|---|---|
LUniversity Blues | Eastern Bulldogs | Eastern Blues | Hamilton Tuis |
Mt Roskill Saints | Wellington Saints | University Cougars | Hamilton Mavericks |
North Shore Tigers | North City Demons | Christchurch Bulldogs | Hamilton Red Backs |
Waitakere Magpies | Hutt Valley Eagles | Mid Ashburton Eagles | |
Takapuna Eagles | |||
Manurewa Raiders |
New Zealand Hawks at IC11
Placing: 3
Ranked number two, the Hawks returned to IC11 as strong favourites and were looking for their second title after winning in 2005 and finishing runners-up in 2008.
Despite convincing wins over Britain and Canada, the Hawks fell short in the preliminary final, losing in a bruising battle against Ireland.
However, the Hawks did come in first as having the favourite guernsey among IC11 fans.
Match Reports
- Hawks claim the bronze
- Warriors down Hawks
- Canada almost swoops NZ
- NZ Hawks top Dogs
- Day 1 IC11 Group 2: New Zealand, Sweden, India
News Stories