2022 AFL New Zealand Annual Report

2022

Year Ended 31 October 2022

The New Zealand Women’s Premiership to expand in 2023

Chairman’s Report

Looking ahead, we face challenges in reigniting our programmes to levels previous to Covid, without substantial increases to our current revenue streams. The AFL New Zealand Board and Staff continue to be proactive, and we are confident this will be achievable.

Our relationship with the AFL remains vital to the organisation’s growth and the appointment of Ben Drew as International Manager has had an immediate, positive effect. Opportunities to align resources and pathways with AFL NSW/ ACT will be explored to maximise the effect this can have on development within New Zealand.

Wheels are in motion following a recent visit in late 2022 to New Zealand, that included the commencement of new coaching opportunities delivered by the AFL and AFL NSW/ACT.

Broadcast has maintained its strong position within the New Zealand landscape with Sky Sport continuing to grow the AFL footprint across its channels. The 2022 season showcased up to six live AFL games per week as well as three live games of the AFLW per week for the season. This coupled with magazine shows and replay coverage resulted in 2022 providing more airtime and exposure than any other period in our broadcast history. AFL New Zealand in conjunction with the AFL will look to replicate this in 2023. This linked with our streaming platform Watch AFL, has us in a great position to capture the hearts and minds of new customers experiencing AFL for the first time.

From a financial perspective, AFL New Zealand was able to navigate through the financial year with a modest profit of $2K in comparison to the previous year’s loss of $33K.

A reduction in administration costs, whilst maintaining similar levels of funding support to the previous year, provided the biggest influences over our financial position.

We appreciate the support provided by our major funders, the AFL, Foundation North, Sport New Zealand, and the Covid support initiatives introduced by the Federal Government over the past three years.

Our commercial partners have shown faith by their long-term commitment to support AFL in New Zealand. AV Jennings deserves

a special mention, now in their eighth year in support of the AV Jennings AFL KiwiKick and Schools Programmes.

A special thank you to new commercial partners D3Tape, Glasscorp, Hurst Media, Dynamic Sports and Zena and we truly value their support.

Saundry

2022 AFL Grand Final Winners

KICK! CATCH! BOUNCE!

...pathways with AFL NSW / ACT will be explored to maximise the effect this can have on development

Bernard

AFL New Zealand Chairman

Chief Executive Officer Report

emerging youth between the ages of 13 and 17. The lack of an AFL international representative calendar over the Covid period has had a massive impact on these numbers and the effect has had a chain reaction on other stages of our pathway.

The major impacts have included;

• The debut of our first ever national women’s senior team, New Zealand Kahu was due to take place at the 2020 International Cup now pushed back to 2024.

• The annual contest for the AFL New Zealand Academy against Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League has not taken place since April 2019 with their scheduled return in April 2023 four years later.

• The New Zealand Falcons last played a match against the AFL Academy in April 2019.

• The 2022 AFLNZ Premiership did not proceed due to Covid travel restrictions, with the 2021 season truncated due to similar issues.

• The Under 18 New Zealand teams annual tour to Melbourne has not taken place since April 2019.

Following on from Covid interruptions to both the AFL New Zealand Premiership and New Zealand Teams calendar, it was determined that the AFL New Zealand Men’s Premiership be reduced from 4 to 3 teams for the 2023 season.

The Northern Suns will not participate in the 2023 Season but will look to be reinstated in 2024.

To effectively coordinate the playing groups of four teams and to successfully manage injury and unavailability during the season, a critical mass of 120 players is required to ensure the highest quality playing experience.

Significant increases in domestic flight expenses as well as inflationary impacts have imposed financial pressures on the AFLNZ Premiership’s operations.

With regional training hubs now in place, the Northern Suns have the lowest club catchment of the four Premiership teams.

Currently, the North Shore Tigers make up over 80% of the Northern Suns playing group and this has impacted available squad numbers.

As an emerging sport within New Zealand, our game is reliant upon new opportunities to stimulate growth. The AFL New Zealand Premiership season would generally see 20 to 30 new players transitioning from the Academy and New Zealand Youth representative teams into their first season of senior football. The pressures and the limitations caused by Covid have resulted in difficult but practical decisions as we look to maintain functionality within the organisation and work towards reigniting

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

our pathways.

AFL New Zealand strategy is committed to utilising the AFL New Zealand Premiership to grow the game nationally and regionally for the foreseeable future. The growth of the Women’s Premiership, even through these issues, is a shining light. Credit should be given to the hard work taking place in our regions where weekly competition is now taking place in both Auckland and Wellington with Canterbury also progressing with local numbers.

At AFL New Zealand Board level, Bernard Saundry continues to lead from the front following his reappointment at the start of the financial year. The re-election of

Historically, New Zealand representation has captured the interest of

AFL New Zealand strategy is committed to utilising the AFL New Zealand Premiership to grow the game nationally and regionally for the foreseeable future.

Mykelti and Misilifi playing for the falcons at Marvel Stadium

Andrew McKenzie at the March AGM also maintains continuity to support Deputy Chair Liza McNally, Kari Jones, Chris Brooks, Peter Summers and Michael Nettlefold who are effective and willing contributors to the AFL New Zealand journey.

Marketing and Media Manager, Tom O’Keeffe departs the organisation in 2022 after 10 years of service with the organisation and we are thankful for his efforts. Alastair Maisey joins the team and has made an immediate impact with an innovate approach and fresh ideas that will benefit the organisation. The implementation of the Play HQ database system will improve our connection with members and assist in growing opportunities to increase awareness.

AFL New Zealand’s immediate focus is to reignite our calendar to pre-covid levels and re-establish continuity to our development pathways.

Looking ahead the reactivation of Youth Programmes, Local League competitions, and the AFL New Zealand Academy are all underway. The Mornington Peninsula are scheduled to visit in April 23 and the Under 18 team will tour Melbourne later the same month.

The AFL New Zealand Falcons will commence their progression towards the 2024 International Cup in Australia, with a local clash between themselves and the newly formed All Stars combination. It is hoped that an extensive calendar including travel can be produced to assist

the lead in to 2024.

With impending changes to the Incorporated Societies Act, our governance structure and how it relates to our membership, is under review. The end of the Government Kiwisport initiative and the introduction of the newly formed Tu Manawa fund has also impacted on the way AFL New Zealand will operate with its membership.

and Misilifi Faimalo on the Richmond Men’s Senior list, both members of the most recent New Zealand Falcons Squad. I look forward to an improved and rewarding 2023.

The impacts that the government changes will have, are yet to be fully understood but changes will be necessary to AFL New Zealand’s current structure to ensure the community can maximise its impact towards effectively growing the game within New Zealand.

2021 saw the introduction of the first ever AFL New Zealand Women’s Heritage team featuring an All Star line up. The Team boasted an exciting mix of established AFL stars and youthful talent as well as home grown New Zealand representatives.

This year has seen two women’s seasons take place in Australia with further New Zealand talent discovered by the AFLW. Jesse Wardlaw and Jasmine Garner continued to show their class on the field, with Jesse going on to win golden boot for AFLW season 7. This year saw five new additions to the AFL New Zealand Heritage Team including rising star Abbey Dowrick after being a standout playing her first season of AFLW for Port Adelaide.

A personally rewarding highlight for 2022 was the inclusion of both Mykelti Lefau

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Robert Vanstam AFL New Zealand CEO

NZ Heritage Team members Jasmine Garner and Tahlia Randall playing for North Melbourne in the AFLW

Re-Elected Director Andrew Mckenzie

2022 saw another year with disruptions for the AVJennings AFL KiwiKick Programme, from Covid 19. With New Zealand going through the longest lock down which meant all schools where online learning from home.

The restrictions resulted in the delivery of no school programmes during Term 4 of 2021. Once schools returned to in class learning during Term 1 2022, schools formulated a variety of guidelines directly relating to COVID protocols. Almost all school, restricted the entry of parents and outside provides into school grounds.

Term 2 2022, saw the continuation of these guidelines within the schools, with a priority placed on school activities that had either been postponed or cancelled over previous terms. With education as the obvious major focus, school timetables continued to be jam packed resulting in extreme difficulty in securing schools sessions for AFL New Zealand Programmes.

...deliver on key outcomes that encourage children to live healthy lifestyles through sport

The AVJennings AFL KiwiKick Programme, teaches children not only the fundamental movement skills of Kick, Catch, Pass and Bounce but also stability and locomotive movement skills, with an aim to encourage all participants involved to be Active For Life by following Sport New Zealand “Physical Literacy” approach.

seeking out ways to align and deliver this philosophy.

During Term 1 and 2, 2022, our programmes included a total of 282 students providing a 681 personal experiences.

Term 3 2022, saw the return of some normality, with 4275 participants providing 10467 personal experience. In total we provided 10467 personal experiences to 4557 participants at within schools.

Physical literacy is “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding required by participants that allows them to value and take responsibility for engaging in physical activity and sport for life”. In conjunction with Sport New Zealand, AFL New Zealand will look to support and promote this concept of physical literacy by actively

The fundamental movements are invaluable for a wide variety of sports and the AVJennings AFL KiwiKick programme ensures that everyone who participates is confident and competent with the use of these newly developed skill sets. Qualified AFL KiwiKick coaches deliver focused and fun sessions during school hours and afterschool, with each child receiving between 1 - 8 sessions of coaching.

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

AFL New Zealand will continue with these programmes, as they deliver on key outcomes that encourage children to live healthy lifestyles through sport.

“Kick, Catch, Pass, Bounce.”

AFL: The game for everyone

Through the assistance of KiwiSport a number of projects have assisted AFL New Zealand in increasing the exposure of the sport to local youth. Many participants have now completed the AVJennings AFL KiwiKick programmes over the 10 years since the projects inception and progressed on to play in the AFLNZ Youth Competition for both Boys and Girls aged 12 to 17

A majority of the projects involve 1 to 6 sessions during school time. Following on from these sessions the children then have access to an after school programme that takes place within the school grounds directly after school.

Participants are provided with easy access in a familiar setting, and this also provides parents with the opportunity of attending. It is great to see that Boys and Girls aged 10 to 17, now have further opportunities, by way of the AFL New Zealand Youth Competition, with a ongoing focus on skill development, a love for the game and a continuation of their AFL pathway.

The AVJennings AFL KiwiKick programme also encourages teachers to be involved in the sessions, professional development and provided online resources . The teachers learn how to deliver AVJennings AFL KiwiKick sessions and control games of AFL. This will ensure that children can continue to be active sporting participants utilising the teachers newly developed skills following the departure of AFL New Zealand coaches associated with the programme

To ensure sustainability, every school involved with the AVJennings AFL KiwiKick Pathway programme receives a resource kit to assist with ongoing activity. A combination of newly acquired teaching skills through the coaching accreditation process , online tools and the resource kit ensures that students can continue to play AFL.

faced through the Covid-19 pandemic. AFL New Zealand will continue to work with these organisations to ensure the outcomes targeted by AVJennings AFL KiwiKick continue to fall into alignment with local communities.

Reg Ranchhod

AFL New Zealand General Manager

The resource kit includes AFL KiwiKick Coaching manuals. This features detailed diagrams of skills, games and lesson plans, this combined with the AFL KiwiKick online modules providing teachers and volunteer coaches with all the information they need to successfully run AFL KiwiKick sessions.

The support of AV Jennings, Sport New Zealand, Aktive Sport and Recreation, Regional Sporting Trusts and Community Trust organisations has been invaluable in not only providing seeding funding and the opportunity to showcase our sport to new schools and participants, but also with all the support during changing times we have

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

INTRODUCTION TO AFL

Introduction to AFL teaches AFL skills and uses modified games to reach the end product of playing a full game of AFL. The programme can be combined with junior class units of work, linked to curriculum programmes and lead into competition programmes.

AFL LEADERSHIP

AFL House Rules can be combined with a number of other AFL NZ Secondary School programmes to involve coordination by fellow students and curriculum based activities or as a selection trial for your AFL Cup team. The “Teachers versus Students” Clash is a great way to finish this fun programme.

AFL FORCE BACK

Each of the events within the programme has a focus on fun and looks to provide those involved with motivation to improve themselves in varying facets of skill and fitness.

AFL Leadership takes on the concept of students provided with leadership skills and the capability of running a tournament within their own school or at local primary and intermediate schools. Sessions focus on the elements of game understanding, coaching, umpiring and game and event management.

COACH THE COACHES

Coach the Coaches takes a look at the fundamentals of AFL and the AFL Kiwikick programme. After 6 – 8 practical structured sessions your students will assist delivery of the AFL Kiwikick programme in local Primary or Intermediate schools in your area.

AFL HOUSE RULES

The AFL House Rules Programme focuses on providing students with easy access to participate in the new and dynamic sport of AFL. The competition takes place at a venue determined by your school, most often within your own school grounds. This alleviates travel costs for the school and the participants and more importantly provides opportunities to more students beyond the elite school representative teams.

The format is a perfect for competition between classes or houses and can be played by boys, girls or in a mixed format that utilises touch, tag or tackle modifications. It’s a new fun way to get more kids, more active, more often and improve the skills of Kick, Catch, Pass and Bounce at the same time.

This programme focuses on the two main fundamental skills of AFL, Kick and Catch. Through a modified game participants gain an insight into the skills required for the bigger game of AFL, that can also be used as a Have a go or participation/social competition.

Speed, agility, endurance, suppleness and hand and eye coordination, are all attributes that if provided in the right format, can inspire students to become more involved in not only participating in sport but also monitoring their own progress.

AFL CUP

With the introduction of AFL Force Back through Have a go or Competition, links can be made to Secondary School AFL Cup Interschool competition and outside of school opportunities with the AFL New Zealand Youth Competition.

AFL CROSS CODE SKILL ACQUISITION

Cross Code Skill Acquisition has been developed for Secondary schools using AFL to assist with skill acquisition and development in other codes. With that in mind the programme has been designed specifically to focus on the two skills of kicking and catching.

Links can be made from Cross Code Skill acquisition for curriculum, other codes and preparation for Secondary School Interschool competition the AFL Cup and AFL New Zealand Youth pathway opportunities leading to National representation.

AFL COMBINE

The Secondary Schools AFL Combine Programme is underpinned by an exciting testing format that provides participants with the opportunity to compete in a number of skills and athletic testing.

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

The AVJennings Saints AFL Cup is an Inter School competition for Junior (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-13) students based on fundamental movement and ball skills of AFL for boys and girls.

The programme provides introductory sessions and resources presented by qualified AFL New Zealand Staff to introduce a new and dynamic sport to students. The skills of ‘Kick, Catch, Pass and Bounce’ are perfectly matched to cross reference any number of sports. The 9 a side format is suitable for rugby size fields and with three reserves per team, team numbers are easy to coordinate.

GATEWAY

AFL New Zealand can provide Gateway students with the perfect opportunity to gain experience within the Sports coaching industry delivering the AFL Kiwikick programme to Primary and Intermediate school students.

Reg Ranchhod

AFL New Zealand Schools Manager

AFL New Zealand has diversified the programmes available to Secondary Schools to ensure flexibility that suits the outcomes of your school and provides opportunities for students and staff to participate in all facets of AFL.

SUCCESS STORY

AFL New Zealand would like to thank Foundation North for their continued support in the development of AFL within New Zealand.

Foundation North have continued to support the growth and development of AFL in New Zealand.

The funding provided by the Trust directly assists the AFL New Zealand employment team and leads to the leadership and structure required to impact on the initiatives highlighted below.

Over the past 12 months, AFL New Zealand has delivered 19603 personal experiences to local communities aged between 5 and 34, through the following programmes:

• AFLNZ Premiership

• AFLNZ Youth Programme

• AFL New Zealand Academy

• AFL KiwiKick

• AFL Cup

• Secondary Schools Coach the Coaches

AFL New Zealand are proud of what we have achieved despite the difficulties

The AFL Cup offers gameplay and skill development for secondary schools

imposed by Covid-19. The staff that Foundation North have supported through their funding efforts continue to make a difference in sustaining and growing the AFL Community within the region.

The impact within Auckland and Northland for this is evident through the success of AFL New Zealand programmes in these regions.

AFL New Zealand looks to provide young people with the opportunity to gain and improve skills, identify their strengths and then assist them to build self-reliance that is in turn, self-rewarding. This gives young people the confidence to explore their options through sporting opportunities for fun, inclusion and social participation.

The seven week programme attracted 71 girls and boys aged between 12 and 18 from 48 schools across the region, and would not be possible without fantastic people volunteering their time to be coaches. The Youth Programme

is the perfect opportunity to develop fundamentals of coaching and inspire the future generations of AFL players. Utilisation of AFL New Zealand development pathways and resources, CoachAFL will also take place to assist with volunteer involvement and quality experiences.

The provision of quality experiences ensures ongoing participation and can lead to a lifetime of involvement with the sport of AFL.

• Appropriate facility management

• Coaching, umpiring and volunteer frameworks

• Clubrooms and social networking opportunities

• Professional coordination

• Quality resources

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Regional Leagues

Auckland AFLMen Tigers go Back to Back

4

Auckland AFLWomen Magpies complete their perfect season

The North Shore Tigers have topped off an unbeaten season to win back to back premierships, beating the University Blues by 18 points.

Uni shot off to a hot start against the minor premiers, kicking 2 goals in the first quarter and only allowing a single behind go through. They were firing on all cylinders early on and looked destined to upset the tigers perfect season. However, Golden Boot winners Justin Du Toit, and Josh Cunliffe put in a strong performance in the second quarter to put the tigers back in front by half time.

The Waitakere Magpies

Women’s Team have finished of their unbeaten season with a big win over the North Shore Tigers to secure the premiership.

The Magpies started off the game strong kicking a goal in the opening minutes of the first quarter. They would then go on to kick another 3 goals before the break, giving themselves a commanding 25 point lead. The Tigers made a tactical decision to put star player Cassie Ormsby in the backline where she would go on to dominate, taking strong intercept marks and clearances, helping the tigers to stay in the fight.

Wellington AFLMen

Bulldogs make it a 3-peat

The Eastern Bulldogs dominated the 2022 Wellington AFL Grand Final, victorious over the Hutt Valley Eagles. The Bulldogs performed strongly across the park, running the Eagles ragged with a skillful and fast paced handball game. The Eagles provided a fast start, winning a lot of the early ball and kicking the first goal of the match through full forward James Kusel. The Bulldogs’ early nerves calmed as they worked themselves back into the match through midfield veterans Michael Martinez, Matt Goosen, Tom Robinson, and Dale Sabbagh cleaning up loose ball.

The Tigers have a history of finishing off their opponents in the fourth quarter, and sure enough they would continue this trend. Kicking 2 goals to tie up the game at 32 all, momentum was on their side. With 10 minutes to go a serious injury caused a halt to gameplay and when the clock started ticking over, the Tigers were relentless in their efforts, finishing off the game with a quick fire 3 goals.

The Grand Final Caps off another great season for the North Shore Tigers, and saw a brilliant end to a the 2022 Auckland AFL Season

However, the Magpies were relentless in their efforts all game. AAFLW Best and Fairest and runner up, Jolyn Collins and Catriona O’Brian showed why they are among the league’s best, constantly getting their hands on the ball and putting continuous pressure on the Tigers defence.

Unable to capitalise on their scoring shots, the Tigers struggled to close the gap, and the pressure put on by the Magpies, let points continue to slip through eventually coming away with a 49 point win to finish the season

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Early chances for the Eagles in the second quarter were snuffed out rapidly by a well organised Bulldogs backline, led by the skipper James Sharp. The Eagles had no answer for the silky-smooth handball skills of the Bulldogs and the pace on ballers Blake Neve and Paul Willis, quickly turning defence into attack.

The physicality and work rate of the Bulldogs midfield through the third quarter began to take a toll on the Eagles’ onballers and the mid-field battle was done. A further five goals in the last quarter saw the Bulldogs complete yet another grand final success.

Kade Riddell’s 5 goals and his assistance with many others, earned him best on ground honours.

The Waitakere Magpies finishing off a perfect season with a big Grand Final Win

Wellington AFLWomen

The South Coast Swell take out the 2022 Wellington Women’s Premiership

The South Coast Swell have narrowly defeated Nga Manu Rere in the 2022 Wellington AFL Women’s Grand Final.

The Swell got out to an early lead and then held off a resilient Nga Manu Rere. Both teams left nothing out on the field in the final game of the season with every ball hotly contested.

It was a great game like many during the season, but utimately, the South Coast Swell proved to good on the day.

As the game in Wellington continues to grow, a number of players now turn their attention to the AFL New Zealand Women’s Premiership.

Canterbury AFLMen Eastern Blues win first title in 8 years

The Eastern Blues have defeated the University Cougars in the 2022 CAFL Grand Final.

The two teams met in the Canterbury season decider for the first time in almost 15 yrs.

AFL Broadcast

Sky Television and SKY Sport is the major broadcast partner of AFL in New Zealand and the home of LIVE sport in New Zealand.

Sky Television and SKY Sport is the major broadcast partner of AFL in New Zealand and the home of LIVE sport in New Zealand.

Featuring some of the best local and international sports content, SKY Sport offers New Zealand sports fans world class coverage. World renowned for its LIVE sports production, SKY Sport is heavily involved in producing sport in New Zealand - from grassroots sport to the pinnacle of international competition.

SKY Sport’s 2022 AFL coverage increased from three to five LIVE matches each week during the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The AFL Women’s Premiership Season also featured prominently featuring two live games per week along with access On Demand at any time via the Sky Go app.

In addition to the live games, Sky coverage included magazine shows; AFL 360, On the Couch and The Back Page, bringing total weekly viewing to over 20 hours of AFL per week during the football season.

Alternative options to view AFL in New Zealand exist through the Watch AFL platform. The subscription based service, includes every live game throughout the AFL and AFLW seasons, replays and AFL magazine shows.

For the AFLW, viewers can stream every game live through the AFLW app.

SENZ Radio has also commenced the addition of weekly segments covering the AFL season. We look forward to continued support from our broadcast partners in 2023.

Following a tight first quarter, the Blues went to the half time break with a 13 point lead. Three majors in a third quarter 12min burst, boosted the score line to what would be an unassailable lead with the Blues securing their first grand final victory since 2014.

The Eastern Blues were a force to be reckoned the entire season. The spine of their team filled with talent, such as Jay, Johnson, Kieran Charlton and Otago based stars, Hayden Johnston and Josh Mackie, the Eastern Blues would go on to win every game for the rest of the season, putting up big scores against every team they faced

High Performance

The 2022 AFL New Zealand High Performance programme was severely impacted by Covid-19, which saw the cancellation and postponement of several international programmes over the past 12 months.

A disappointing result for our community that certainly worked towards these pinnacle events. The community showed great support and understanding and many changing their focus towards their local clubs and improving domestic leagues.

AFL New Zealand Academy

The AFL New Zealand Academy selects its participants from the AFL New Zealand Youth Competition with the opportunity for selection to also take place from Secondary School Competitions and programmes throughout New Zealand.

The following High Performance Programmes were cancelled due to Covid 19 Travel restrictions;

Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League Tour of New Zealand

Zealanders now playing in competitions in Australia. The match is scheduled to take place at Marvel Stadium as a curtain raiser to an AFL match over the ANZAC weekend and has taken place since 2012.

The contest is the centrepiece of the Falcon’s five-day trip to Melbourne, which also includes touring the St Kilda Football Club, attending the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance and attending the ANZAC Day AFL clash between Essendon and Collingwood in front of over 90,000 passionate fans.

The AFL New Zealand Academy improves the skills and fitness of athletes, through a training and development programme that assists athletes that in some cases, have had no previously exposure to AFL. Academy athletes will participate in skill development, athletic testing and measurement, game play and personal development to provide a pathway for them to excel in AFL.

The AFL New Zealand Academy Level 1, Academy Level 2 & Academy Youth Girls, each play two matches against the Mornington Peninsula Blue Scope Steelers who were due to return to New Zealand for the fifth year. The tour has previously held significant links to the ANZAC spirit, accentuating the links that exist between New Zealand and Australia over our histories. Those who make the Academy teams travel from all over New Zealand to compete in a four day event that includes the welcome functions, after match functions and the AFL New Zealand High Performance Awards, to compliment the scheduled matches.

AFL New Zealand Falcons Under 18 Tour

AFL International Cup NZ Falcons and NZ Kahu

The Academy consists of three levels:

Level 1: for athletes that are new entrants to Academy and the New Zealand representative pathway (ages 13 to 15)

Level 2: for athletes continuing their Academy and New Zealand representative pathway with their next step, U18 or Senior New Zealand representation (ages 15 to 17)

Youth Girls: for female athletes aged between 14 to 17 years of age, both new and continuing in the Academy and New Zealand representative pathway

Further opportunities arising from the AFL New Zealand Academy include, selection into New Zealand Academy teams, New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls, AFL New Zealand National Combine selection, access to talent scouts and AFL International Scholarships.

The Under 18 team tours Melbourne over the ANZAC period where they played two matches against a local College and an Inter League side from the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League. The six-day trip to Melbourne, includes touring the St Kilda Football Club, attending the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance and attending the an AFL match. The tour has been a regular part of the calendar for the past 5 years.

New Zealand Falcons vs AFL Academy

The NAB AFL Australian Under-17 team comprises primarily of players who were selected as NAB AFL All-Australians at Under 16 level last year as well as several 17-year-olds who have performed well over the year.

The open aged New Zealand team comprises of players who were recently selection in recent National League matches as well as several New

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Held every three years, the AFL International Cup includes teams from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. New Zealand were to field both a Men’s and Women’s team for the first time in the competitions history. Teams will solely comprise of footballers who must be nationals of the country they represent. No expatriate Australians are eligible to play. A seventeen tour of Australia including 5 matches ensures that participants are treated to an amazing experience.

In 2017 there were 26 teams (18 men’s and eight women’s teams) that represented 21 different nations. Papua New Guinea won the men’s final while Ireland won the women’s final.

The AFL has confirmed that the next AFL International Cup will be held in August, 2024.

All Stars

In a first for AFL New Zealand, 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. With international travel restrictions now disappearing, it is expected that a surge of opportunities will present themselves to the New Zealand Teams Programme.

Xavier Rice has his sights set on the 2024 AFL International Cup.

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Jess Wasdlaw watching a goal go in against the Adelaide Crows

Abbie Dowrick in her debut season of AFLW

Nz Heritage Team member Mark Blicavs won a premiership with Geelong

KICK! CATCH! PASS!

BOUNCE!

A strong Contest for a loose ball in the Women’s Premiership

Defender Hayden Johnston running through the midfield in the 2021 AFLNZ PRemiership

Killarney Morey in action playing for the Swans Academy

AFL New Zealand Premiership

The AFL New Zealand Premiership targets 200 talented male and female athletes from throughout New Zealand with players allocated selection in the teams through a retained players list and by way of the “AFL New Zealand National Draft”. The Premiership is the perfect opportunity for a higher level competition providing an extension to the traditional regional league seasons spanning between August to December each year. The seasons timing also provide the opportunities to utilise Australian based players within team selections. Players from 7 regions participate in the competition and flew into Auckland. This included over 370 flights.

The Women’s Premiership takes place in conjunction with the current Men’s Premiership between February and April.

Rising Star Oliver Giamblanco

coaches of each team and targeted stand out players who show the attributes of what it takes to be a successful player. The 6 best players from each team will make up the team of the week. At the culmination of the season, AFL New Zealand announced the Premiership Team of the year which consisted of the players who have featured in the team of the week category.

NATIONAL DRAFT

The Women’s Premiership continues to exapnd with the introduction of three new teams. The Central Shakers, Northern Storm and Western Ravens will run out for the first time when the Women’s Premiership also returns in 2023

The female competition will provide the perfect environment for girls transitioning from the Youth Competition formats to senior football and is the next step in finalising the pathway for women to participate in AFL within New Zealand.

The AFL New Zealand Men’s and Women’s Premiership had record numbers in 2021 with the Women’s competition growing by 20%.

The AFL New Zealand National Draft will see all players placed into one of seven list categories. Highlighting the logistics of the competition and scheduling at North Harbour Stadium and QE2 Park, the list categories are determined by age and regions throughout New Zealand. Once an initial playing list has been established, athletes have their names entered into the AFL New Zealand National Draft, enabling coaching staff from the competing teams to select their AFL New Zealand Premiership playing rosters. Ongoing talent identification carried out through local, regional and national competitions, is utilized for further additions.

DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS

RISING STAR AWARD

MEN’S PREMIERSHIP

The Premiership is seen as the perfect opportunity for a higher level competition providing an extension to the traditional regional league seasons spanning between August to December each year. The season’s timing also provides the opportunity for coaches to utilise Australian based players within their selections.

The 2023 Season will see the changes to competition that were due to take place in 2022, come to fruition, with the Saints set to host 2 games in Christchurch for the first time ever.

WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

The female competition will provide the perfect environment for girls transitioning from the Youth Competition formats to senior football and is the next step in finalising the pathway for women to participate in AFL within New Zealand.

The AFL New Zealand Rising Star award was awarded weekly to a standout young player in the AFL New Zealand Premiership. Each week the award was allocated to those who show ability that favours the core components it takes to become an AFL Player. To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be born in 2003 or younger.

Previous Rising Star Winners

• Will Warbrick

• Carlos Donell-Brown

• Misilifi Faimalo

• Josh Mackie

• Declan Crann

• Oliver Giamblanco

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Each week throughout the Premiership season, AFL New Zealand announced the ‘Team of the week’ which featurde the 24 best players from the previous weekends round. The teams were selected by the

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

The AFL New Zealand Premiership will provide a number of talented players from the AFL New Zealand Academy the opportunity to participate in the Premiership as development players. The opportunity will be utilised to further develop and manage the environment for young players and their introduction into senior football. The preparation they receive will potentially see them drafted and playing in the 2023 AFLNZ Premiership as a full time participant. Those announced are all born in the year 2005 and are not guaranteed to play in the premiership or play every week. High Performance management will distribute development players to team’s week to week dependant on several factors including;

• The players stage of development

• The players physical preparedness and capability

• Approval from AFLNZ, the participants parents and the participant

The Men’s and Women’s national competition provides the highest standard of football in NZ.

Development Players will train with the Premiership group in their region along with their Academy commitments. Development opportunities on game day will be managed by AFL New Zealand and respective coaches this will include specific timing, rotation, opposition match ups and player review throughout the day.

PAST WINNERS

YEAR MEN’S WOMEN”S

2016 Western Crows

2017 Southern Saints

2018 Central Giants

2019 Western Crows Lions

2020 Southern Siants Bulldogs

2021 Central Giants Bulldogs

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

2021 Bulldog’s winning Captain and Coach, Emma Collins and Mick Coultard

The Central Giants won their second Premiership in 2021

AFLNZ Regional Youth Programmes

AFL New Zealand Youth Programme provides new players to participate in AFL

The Youth Competition was created in 2015 to compliment the pathway for participants to excel in AFL.

It has a focus on improving athletes’ skills and fitness within a fun environment. This is achieved through a training, game and development programme that highlights the necessary requirements throughout the pathway.

The programme has been developed with a focus on improving the athlete’s skills and fitness along with a training, game and development programme. It provides the necessary requirements to prepare participants in their transition from other sports and moving forward, links to club football and a lifetime of involvement with the sport.

The Male and Female age grades include an Under 12’s, Under 14 and U17 grade to accompany the growth of the competition.

The Youth Programme had a total five centre, with 3 in Auckland, and one each in Wellington and Christchurch

The 2022 competition involved 71 participants from 48 Secondary and Intermediate Schools from the Northland, Auckland, Wellington and canterbury regions

AFL New Zealand has targeted an increase in all age groups and the regions where the competitions take place. Participants are selected from:

• Secondary School Programmes

• Intermediate Programmes

• Talent Identification Personnel

• Current Players

KICK! CATCH! BOUNCE!

The 2022 competition involved 48 Secondary and Intermediate schools.

Alastair Maisey Community and Communications Manager

Funding Support

AFL New Zealand would like to acknowledge our funding partners involvement in supporting our Programmes.

Our partners have played a vital role in assisting the programme with funding to ensure AFL New Zealand can continue to provide opportunities for youth and adults within the community to play AFL.

Programme feature multiple locations across New Zealand including, youth boys & girls along with competitions for both men and women. Coaches, umpiring and volunteer support is a constant requirement and our funding partners alleviate the financial pressures faced from the ongoing resources and capability training required to ensure sustainable growth of the sport at a community level. The Youth Programmes utilise festival days to bring all of these locations together into one key regional locations for a fun day of AFL.

AFL New Zealand has created its Youth Programme for new players to participate in the sport of AFL. It has a focus on improving athletes’ skills and fitness within a fun environment. This is achieved through a training, game and development programme that highlights the necessary requirements throughout the pathway. The programme involves a combination of skill development – kicking, catching, passing, and bouncing, game play and personal development. This combination will lead to a number of opportunities for participants which include, AFL New Zealand Academy selection, New Zealand representation

A special thanks to our funders for their support and the impact they have provided through 2022.

KICK! CATCH! BOUNCE!

2022 AFLNZ Men’s Heritage Team

The tenth AFL New Zealand Men’s Heritage team was named on the eve of the 2022 AFL Grand Final, which featured four players from the Melbourne Demons Premiership squad.

The 2022 Heritage team is one of the strongest and most talented teams assembled in the 10 years of its history.

An addition to the side in 2022 is that of former heritage player, Ben Rutten, who was named as the coach of the side.

The team consists of 15 players currently playing in the AFL week in, week out for their clubs.

Misilifi Faimalo reciving his debut

Established AFL stars such as Max Gawn from the Melbourne Football Club, Richmond Tigers star Dustin Martin and young talent, Rowan Marshall from the St. Kilda Football Club headline the side.

Max Gawn Captains the side and has fellow Melbourne team mates Sam Weideman, Oskar Baker and 2021 Rising Star Luke Jackson alongside him.

Young Essendon star, Archie Perkins three Bombers selected, with defender Jordan Ridley and midfielder, Dylan Clarke.

Misilifi Faimalo, a graduate of AFL New Zealand Youth development programmes,

becomes a new addition to the Heritage team after signing with Richmond.

Youth development programmes implemented by AFL New Zealand continue to work towards a lifetime of involvement with the sport. Equal importance is placed on both the starting point of teaching school children the fundamentals by way of the AV Jennings AFL KiwiKick programme, involvement in Regional Leagues throughout New Zealand all the way through to high performance training for athletes seeking higher honours with AFL.

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Coach

Jake Patmore North Adelaide

Connor Ballenden Woodville-West Torrens

Andrew Howison Mid-Canterbury

Dylan Clarke Essendon

Misilifi Faimalo Richmond

Archie Perkins Essendon

Khan Haretuku Frankston

Louis Butler Bulldogs

Mykelti Lefau Richmond

Sam Weideman Melbourne

Mark Blicavs Geelong

Jordan Ridley Essendon

Rowan Marshall St Kilda

Max Gawn Melbourne

Dustin Martin Richmond

Cameron Illet Nightcliff

On Ballers

Oskar Baker Bulldogs

Sam Durdin Carlton

Toby Wooller Carlton

Interchange

Luke Jackson Melbourne

Ryan Clarke Sydney

Ben Rutten

2022 AFLNZ Women’s Heritage Team

The inaugural AFL New Zealand Women’s Heritage Team was selected in September 2021, showing the depth of involvement New Zealanders have in AFL at the highest level.

The 2021 Heritage team was the first showcase of female talent playing AFL. The 2022 Heritage team has expanded on that with all 20 players featuring in AFLW

The 2022 Heritage team boasts an exciting mix of both established and rising AFL stars such as Jasmine Garner from the North Melbourne Football Club, Brisbane Lions star Jesse Wardlaw and Port Adelaide rising star Abbie Dowrick, youthful talent as well as home grown New Zealand representatives.

To meet the criteria to be selected in the AFLNZ heritage team, each player must

either have been born in New Zealand or have New Zealand parentage.

The 2022 team consists of 20 players currently playing regularly in the AFLW competition for their respective clubs.

The introduction of the AFLNZ Youth Competition in 2015 was a major success in placing High School aged students on the pathway to AFL

This is great news for the future of the sport in both countries. New Zealanders moving to Australia will have an understanding and enjoyment of the

game, and Australian clubs will have a bigger pool of talented players to select from. The New Zealand Heritage Team is a reflection of the strong links that already exist between the two countries. A passion for AFL is one of those links that is growing stronger every year.

a goal

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Najwa Allen Adelaide

Angelique Stannett Freemantle

Dee Heslop Brisbane

Poppy Kelly Richmond

Stevie-Lee Thompson Adelaide

Celine Moody Bulldogs

Tahlia Randall North Melbourne

Lauren Pearce Melbourne

Indy Tahau Port Adelaide

Vaomua Laloifi Carlton

Richelle Cranston Bulldogs

Breann Moody Carlton

Jasmine Garner North Melbourene

Mikaela Tuhakaraina Freemantle McKenzie Dowrick Adelaide

Serena Gibbs Carlton

Interchange

Jesse Wardlaw from the Brisbane Lions celebrating

Jesse Wardlaw Brisbane

Brooke Walker Carlton

2022 Scores and Results

Senior Regional Leagues

Financial Statements of AFL New Zealand Inc.

As at 31 October 2022

Statement of

Statement of Financial Position

*These Statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the Financial Statements and Audit Report.

Statement of Movement in Equity

*These Statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the Financial Statements and Audit Report.

Mariska Van Deventer AFL New Zealand Finance Manager

Fixed Assets/Depreciation

Society Directory as at 31 October 2022

Registered Office: Sports House, Stadium Drive, North Harbour Stadium, Albany. Society Number: 217967

Auditors: JSA Audit Limited Bankers: Westpac Banking Corporation Date of Formation: 7 July 1976

Promotion of Australian Football League in New Zealand.

Board

Michael Nettlefold (Elected 25 March 2015) (Re-Elected 19 March 2016) (Re-Elected 16 March 2019) (Re-Elected 15 March 2022)

Andrew McKenzie (Elected 15 March 2015) (Re-Elected 17 March 2018) (Re-Elected 14 March 2021)

Bernard Saundry (Chairman) (Appointed 26 February 2018) (Re-Appointed 20 October 2022)

Liza McNally (Appointed 20 September 2018)

Kari Jones (Elected 6 October 2019) (Re-Elected 8 March 2020)

Chris Brooks (Elected 27 October 2020)

Peter Summers (Appointed 28 October 2021)

PASS! BOUNCE!

Notes to the Financial Statements

NOTE 1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

AFL NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED is an Incorporated Society established under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.The Financial Statements of AFL New Zealand Incorporated have been prepared in accordancwith the stated accounting policies and are therefore considered to be special purpose. These Special purpose financial statements are used by management and the board in fulfilling their reporting requirements to the members of AFL New Zealand Incorporated and therefore may not be fit for another purpose.

Measurement Base

The accounting principles recognised as appropriate for the measurement and reporting of earnings and financial position on an historical cost basis have been used in the preparation of these financial statements.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition of assets and includes the cost of replacements that are eligible for capitalisation when these are incurred. Depreciation rates as follows:

• Jumpers/Shorts/Socks: 30% DV

• Plant and Equipment: 10-50% DV

• Computers and Software 50% DV

Jumpers/Shorts/Socks are used for training and coaching purpose by AFLNZ Staff.

Inventory

NOTE 3 INCOME

Income shown in the Statement of Financial Performance comprises the amounts received and receivable for services supplied to customers in the ordinary course of business, except for contributions received from players with respect to their attendance at international tournaments which are recognised on cash receipt basis.

NOTE 4 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There were no Contingent Liabilities as at 31 October 2022 (2021– Nil).

NOTE 5 CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were no outstanding Capital Commitments as at 31 October 2022 (2021–Nil).

NOTE 6 AFL AGREEMENT

The Society’s most significant source of income is the AFL Grant. Under its current format the AFL Agreement is renewed annually and any significant adverse change in the grant would affect the financial viability of the Society

NOTE 7 GRANTS AND DONATIONS WITH CONDITIONS

The Prepayments Received $47,100 (2021 - $106,105) represent the proportion of Grants received during the financial year which relate to after 31 October 2022. Funding grants that are subject to use or return conditions are recognised as income when the conditions have been met.

NOTE 8 LOAN

This loan is payable to the Inland Revenue Department, unsecured and at an interest rate of 3% per annum (interest starts April 2024 and the final repayment date is 30 April 2027).

NOTE 9 EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE DATE

Inventory has been stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

The entity is registered for GST. All amounts are stated exclusive of goods and services tax (GST) except for accounts payable and accounts receivable which are stated inclusive of GST.

Income Tax

AFL New Zealand Incorporated is wholly exempt from New Zealand income tax having fully complied with all statutory conditions for these exemptions.

Receivables

Receivables are stated at expected realisable value. Bad debts are written off during the period in which they are identified.

Liabilities

Liabilities are stated at the estimated amounts payable and include all obligations that can be reliably estimated. Current liabilities include the amounts payable within twelve months of these financial statements.

Changes in Accounting Policies

There have been no changes in accounting policies during the year.

NOTE 2 LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Club has no non-cancellable operating lease commitments. (2021 – Nil).

The Society is not aware of any other matter or circumstances that has or may significantly affect their operations.

NOTE 10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no material related party transactions during the year ended 31 October 2022 (2021 – Nil).

NOTE 11 Going Concern

The Society generated a profit for the year of $2,274 from a loss of $33,497 in the previous financial year. The Board acknowledges the significant reliance of the Society to obtain grant funding and consistent with many Societies, to sustain its current operations and continue its operations into the foreseeable future. Where applicable the society has made use of subsidies and grants made available by the New Zealand Government, to cover salaries and wages in the 2022 financial year.

The Society has secured the following grants for the 2023 financial year. The Directors will continue to monitor its financial performance and position against its forecast for the 2023 financial year and manage costs accordingly so that the Society does not record a loss for the 2023 financial year. Therefore, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern assumption in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022.

2023 Secured Funds

AFL – Development Funding Grant $140,000 AUD

Sport New Zealand Funding - $25,000

AV Jennings – Sponsorship $20,000 AUD

NOTE 12 BUSINESS MASTER CARD

The AFL New Zealand has a Limit of $20,000 (2021: $20,000) on their Business MasterCard facility as at year end.

NOTE 12 COMPARATIVES

KICK! CATCH! PASS! BOUNCE!

Certain comparative numbers have been changed to conform with the current years’ presentation

Independent Auditor’s Report

Qualified Opinion

We have audited the special purpose financial statements of AFL New Zealand Incorporated (the Society) on pages 2 to 8, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 October 2022 and the statement of financial performance and statement of movement in equity for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, except for the possible effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion section of our report, the accompanying financial statements of the Society for the year ended 31 October 2022 are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the stated accounting policies.

Basis for Opinion

We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the stock quantities held in Christchurch storage facility at 31 October 2022 totalling $5,198, which are included in the stock on hand balance in the statement of financial position, by using other audit procedures. Consequently, we were unable to determine whether any adjustments to this amount was necessary.

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs (NZ)). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Society in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe thatthe audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other than in our capacity as auditor we have no relationship with, or interests in, AFL New Zealand Incorporated.

Emphasis of Matter – Basis of Accounting and Restriction on Distribution

We draw attention to Note 1 to the financial statements, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the stated accounting policies and are intended for use by the members of

AFL New Zealand Incorporated. As a result, the financial statements may not be suitable for another purpose. Our report is intended solely for the members of the Society, as a body and should not be distributed to other parties. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Emphasis of Matter - Going Concern

We draw attention to Note 11 to the financial statements which describes the ability of the Society to continue to operate as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. Other Matter

The financial statements of AFL New Zealand Incorporated for the year ended 31 October 2021 was audited by another auditor who expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements on 14 February 2022.

The Board of Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements

The Board of Directors are responsible on behalf of the Society for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies as disclosed in financial statements and for such internal control as the Board of Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The Board of Directors are also responsible for determining that the special purpose reporting framework, is acceptable in the Society’s circumstances. In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors are responsible for assessing the Society’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Society or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (NZ) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to

influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (NZ), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Society’s internal control.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of the use of the going concern basis of accounting by those charged with governance and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Society’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Society to cease to continue as a going concern.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.