Author: wellingtonafl

THE TIGER’S ROAR: ROUNDS 1-5

It’s been a funny start to the season, with not one but two rounds being rained out back-to-back. No one in Wellington can remember the last time a season was disrupted to this extent, but as they say: the show must go on!

Fortunately for the newly created Women’s league, the field size required this season can fit on a rugby field, so the Women have completed 5 games of AFL with a quick relocating of the grounds for the cancelled open games. There have been some great individual and team performances throughout the rounds, and it is great to see all of the Women’s skills with the Sherrin improving every week! Come on out on Sundays to watch them play from 11-Noon!

Wellington Women’s Giants & Bulldogs showing off their skills during Round 3
Credit: Jun Tanlayco Sports Images

As for the WAFL Open games, relocating a 165m oval at the last minute is not an easy feat, so all missed games have been recoreded as ‘draws’ with each team receiving 2 points for each missed game. This has left the season well and truly open, with every team a chance at making the finals.

The N.C. Demons have a few key players return to Wellington, led by superstar Josh Morgan-Ranui making his return from playing in Australia. The Demons’ spirits are high, with hope for a momentum swing for the back half of the season!

Eagles and Saints flying high in Round 1
Credit: Jun Tanlayco Sports Images

The H.V. Eagles have started strong, with key wins over the Demons and Saints. They are fare-welling Peter Van Kampen on his return to Wellington, who was instrumnetal in getting the Eagles back in to winning form – narrowly missing out on a Grand Final Spot in the fianl round last season. They welcom Andrew Symmans into the nest as team manager. Currently behind the Saints only on percentage, they are looking to right the wrongs from last season and book a slot in this year’s WAFL Grand Final!

The E.S. Bulldogs have started off with 3 wins from 3 games, but the two draws mean that they have yet to face their arch-rivals – the Saints. Still stinging from a narrow loss to them in the Grand Final in 2018, the Bulldogs are determined to put their stamp on the league and regain the cup.

The W.C. Saints must still have had a hangover from last season’s Granf Final, with a loss to the Eagles first up, but have bounced back with two strong wins against the Demons. As always, Gregor Kempt’s team is posing a formidible force, but has yet to be tested by fellow 2018 finalists, the Bulldogs. Regardless, the Saints are keen to keep their hands on the cup and look to erase any doubt caused by their round one stumble.

Here is the table after the first three games played:

PositionTeamPrem PointsPlayedWonLost%Form
1Bulldogs16330387DDW
2Saints12321217DDW
3Eagles832159DDL
4Demons430320DDL

Women’s AFL in Wellington – Information Session

Ever wanted to see what Women’s AFL is all about? Come on over for an information evening, where the Wellington Women’s AFL Coaches will discuss the plan to establish a Women’s team in Wellington, how you can take part, what training and player development will look like and when the competition will kick off. Bring any questions, and we’ll bring the information and snacks!

Please respond to the facebook event, so we can plan for numbers:
Women’s AFL Information Session

  • Time and date: 6pm, Thursday 25 July
  • Location: Xero HQ, 19 Taranaki St, Wellington

Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can get everyone signed in, and not leave anyone out in the cold!

WAFL 2019 Positions Open

In 2019, the Wellington AFL have seven roles they are looking for people to step into. They are:

Wellington Women’s Australian Football Team:

Role description: Wellington Women’s AFL Team

  1. Head Coach
  2. Assistant Coach
  3. Team Manager

North City Demons Football Club:

Role description: North City Demons Football Club

  1. Head Coach
  2. Assistant Coach

Hutt Valley Eagles Football Club:

Role description: Hutt Valley Eagles Football Club

  1. Head Coach
  2. Assistant Coach

We would like to invite people to apply for any of these positions or to share them into your social media network or directly to people you feel may be interested.

If you are already a member of a club within the Wellington AFL, I would challenge you to consider whether the time is right for you to align with a club looking for support and put yourself forward.

You can apply for the above roles here or send an application to Gregor Kempt at kemptsplace@gmail.com answering the following questions:

  1. Which role/s would you like to apply for?
  2. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you could bring to this role?
  3. What excites you the most about this role?
  4. What would challenge you most about this role?
  5. What is the best way for us to get in touch with you?

If you have any questions please call Gregor Kempt on 027 5286252.

Regards Byron Roff

President of Wellington AFL

Committee Nominations
NOTE: ANY WAFL MEMBER MAY NOMINATE OTHER WAFL MEMBERS UP TO 5pm ON THE FIFTH DAY BEFORE THE AGM.  EMAIL WELLINGTONAFL@OUTLOOK.COM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR ANY OF THESE POSITIONS.

President

Byron RoffPlayed over 100 games for Eastern Suburbs bulldogs, 7 seasons for Wellington Tigers and was in the NZAFL international cup squads in both 2002 and the tournament winning side in 2005. Byron has previous sports administration experience having been at WAFL committee member (2002-2008), NZAFL board member (2006-2008) and surf lifesaving committee member(2013-2017). Byron is currently a board member for two companies and is an owner of a project management consultancy. Byron offers strong governance and leadership skills, coupled with a good understanding of our game. Current standing WAFL President

Secretary

Matt LewisES Bulldogs Secretary 2016-present. Current standing WAFL Secretary

Treasurer

Andrew Gavaghan Supervisor – Assurance and Advisory at Deloitte New Zealand

AFLNZ Representative

TBC To Be Filled By AFLNZ

Umpire Representative

Hugh WilsonQualified level 2 AFL umpire & Wellington Tigers rep for last 3 years. Current standing WAFL Umpire Representative

Youth Academy Representative

Victor LabotskyAFNZL Regional Academy Director

Notice of 2019 Annual General Meeting

The 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Wellington AFL will be held on Tuesday the 14th of May at 19-23 Taranaki St commencing at 6:00pm*.

This meeting is the single most important meeting of the year for the League, and your attendance is requested.  At the meeting the President will present the Annual Report, and the the Secretary will deliver the presentation of the financial statement.  Additionally, we will conduct the election for office bearers, and cover several points of business. The Secretary will distribute documents relevant to any voting points no later than 7 days before the meeting.

Agenda Items

  • President’s annual report
  • Financial report and presentation of financial statement
  • Election of office bearers
    • Nominations are now open for elected Committee positions
  • General business
*Note: the doors will be locked, so please be there by 5:50 to be let in.  Call Matt at 021922201 if you get stuck, but the meeting will start promptly at 6pm.

Tigers Come Close, But Not Quite in Christchurch
The 2018 Wellington Tigers at Hagley Park. Credit: Jun Tanlayco Sports Images

The Wellington AFL Tigers wrapped up the AFL Season with a trip down to Christchurch to take on the Otago and Canterbury in the 2019 National Provincial Championship (NPC).  Both Wellington and Otago teams made the last stretch from the city to the ground on a fleet of Lime Scooters, bringing an unexpected boost to the local economy. On to the footy: Canterbury took out Otago in the first match of the day, and the Tigers did much the same vs Otago in the second match.  While the competition was better than the scoreboard indicated (Tigers 144 v Otago 1), it was a good chance for the Tigers to try out field placements, and work out how best to read teammates who only the week before were opponents.

In final match of the day, the Tigers took on the Canterbury Cobras.  Due to the strength of both sides defenses, it was a very low-scoring affair, but the standard of football was at an exceptional level.  While trailing by a couple of goals headed into the final quarter, the Tigers were able to keep pegging the score back, but three late behinds in a row to the Tigers meant that they weren’t going to be able to get enough points on the scoreboard before the siren went.  Final score: Canterbury 3-4-22 v Wellington 2-8-20

Congratulations to Canterbury for taking out the 2018 NPC Shield, and to both Otago and Wellington for getting teams together and travelling to Christchurch to compete!  Thanks to Canterbury for organising the field, umpires, and other gameday requirements to make the day possible!  From conversations after the games, it sounds like everyone was looking forward to locking in the 2019 NPC asap, and hopefully Auckland AFL (or any other province interested for that matter) will be able to send a team down to add to the competition!

And a special thanks to the Tigers Coaces and management that traveled to support: John Jackson, Garth Sabo, and Donna Gill!  This trip would not have been possible without your support!

If you are in any of the below regions and are interested in giving AFL a go, follow the links to the various provincial leagues!