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New Zealand

New Zealand is a country known more for Rugby and its globally recognizable team the ‘All Blacks’; it is a country where contact sports are played at all ages and it is this love for any game with ball that has seen American football inevitably find its way to the land of the long white cloud and take its place alongside more traditionally recognizable sporting codes.

The NZAFA is the organization that governs the sport in NZ.  The founding body for American Football has undergone several administrative changes in the recent years and has successfully experienced huge growth as a direct result of the strategies introduced to establish junior football and develop the sport of American football, or ‘Gridiron’ as it is more commonly known.

After 29 years the regional competitions in Auckland and Wellington are seeing the benefits of increased participation having players as young as 13 years of age playing full contact football as well as attracting large numbers in the U20 Colts age grades.  The sport is becoming the first choice for young athletes looking to play this exciting new sport despite being played during the heat of the summer months (November – March). 

The New Zealand American Football Association was a founding member of the Oceania Foundation of American Football (OFAF) in 1999, along with Australia.

The country’s Colts Competition mirrors the established college sport school program ensuring that all potential players have the opportunity to participate in the sport.  Given the mass exodus of youth in every sport at this age, the AFA and AFW have worked tirelessly in conjunction with the NZAFA to capture these players and provide a viable program.

The sport of American Football has seen competition grades consisting of two junior teams increase consistently with present day team numbers in the regional competition of five Junior U16 teams, six Colts U20 teams and the Premier men's competition continuing as the foundation for the sport in NZ.

NZAFA Executive Committee:
President: Leroy Sisnett
National Delegate: Glen Parker
AFA National Delegate: Lani Ekepati
Executive Member: Chris Stone
Secretary: Faa Tuaau-Sisnett

Address:
NZ American Football Association Incorporated
P.O. Box 27.118
Mt Roskill
AUCKLAND 1410
New Zealand

Website: http://www.eteamz.com/nz-american-football/

Quick Facts

  • In New Zealand, sheep outnumber the human population 4:1
  • Wellington, the capital, is the southernmost capital in the world
  • Bungee jumping was invented in New Zealand by AJ Hackett

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