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

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. 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.

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.

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