NEXT LEVEL: Several Far North players featured in the New Zealand Maori Women's U17 squad. See end of article for a list of names. PICTURE/SIMON KERR
KURUNGAITUKU TOA 3
TONGAN UNDER 17s 3
Kurungaituku Toa came from behind to hold the touring Tongan party to a draw at Ngahue Reserve in Stonefields on Saturday afternoon.
In a tough and physical match, the hosting Kurungaituku Toa - made up of Maori secondary schoolgirls from around the country - scored first and led 2-1 at halftime. The more experienced Tongans came storming back in the second spell and went out to a 3-2 advantage before Ahipara's Kalani Walters Hewson scored for the hosts, allowing Kurungaituku Toa to retain the Pacific Nations Friendship Shield.
It was an impressive performance from the hosting team - also often referred to as the New Zealand Maori U17 side, noted Kurungaituku Toa spokeswoman Lawna Kani. The match also provided an awesome opportunity for locals Kalani, Brydie Harrison (Kaitaia United AFC), Tara Jackson and Natalie Pickery (Kerikeri FC) to take part in an international friendly.
Lawna described the Far North faction's performance as "awesome". She noted all four girls went into camp on Thursday night, where they joined 12 others (the original squad was due to have featured 20 players). However, an intense fitness training session on Friday - held alongside and with the Tongans - seemed to have left the four girls physically and mentally drained.
"The Kaitaia girls were just not used to that level," said Lawna, referring to the number of national prem reserves players featuring in the Kurungaituku Toa squad. Despite being concerned the Far North girls had ended up a little over their heads, Lawna was impressed when they all bounced back and delivered on match day.
"The whole team pulled together so well on game day. Did exactly what their coach [South African Riyadh Eckstein] asked of them."
Lawna said it was a "rough and ready" clash for the entire 90 minutes, with a Tongan player getting a yellow card. The match was watched by a decent crowd which included official representation by delegates from the Oceania, Northern, Auckland and New Zealand football federations as well as being well supported by a number of Auckland clubs.
A segment on the camp and Saturday's game (including Kalani's goal) featured on Maori news show Te Kaea on Sunday night.
The crusade continues
In some ways, Saturday's international fixture represented something more than just a game.
As noted in last week's edition, the operation of the Kurungaituku Toa team comes under the umbrella of the Aotearoa Football Charitable Trust, an organisation co-created by Lawna, Auckland's Phillip Pickering-Parker and Kaitaia's Carlita Grond.
The trust was established to identify, develop and promote footballers from isolated regions like Kaitaia, Gisborne, Taranaki, etc and offer them alternative pathways not available through the governing bodies of the sport (e.g. Northland Football Federation and Football New Zealand) both regionally and nationally. This included access to scholarships, providing opportunities to play in international friendlies - such as the one which took place in Auckland last Saturday - and an avenue to promote their culture alongside their passion for the Beautiful Game.
Lawna said she knew New Zealand Football had little choice but to follow the groundlines laid down by governing body FIFA, which refused to officially acknowledge associations deemed to represent specific interests like Maori football. However, this often meant talented local Maori were falling through the cracks and not gaining recognition through traditional programmes.
While the official stance had made life difficult, Lawna noted alliances were now being made within NZF to hopefully make life "a little bit easier for all". The AFCT was also gaining support from a number of former All Whites, and working closely with the Oceania Football Federation.
Despite being forced to relocate to Auckland, Lawna said the crusade, which began with the establishment of the Tu Maia Football Academy in Kaitaia (now known as Tu Kaha FC) deep into last decade, had continued to gain momentum.
"I wouldn't have got this passion for this game if I hadn't seen it in my kids when I started this whole thing off. I may have left town but I haven't left my kids. That impact just doesn't wash away."
Names to accompany image: From back left, Kerri Butler (manager, Papakura), Radha McGlashan (Wairarapa), Shae Brady (Whakatane), Ella Golding (captain, Tauranga), Lauren Henry (Whakatane), Tara Jackson (Kerikeri), Natalie Pickery (Kerikeri), Tatjana Scanlon (Waiheke Island), Abby Roper (goalkeeping, Lona College USA), Riyadh Eckstein (Auckland); front: Molly Bryans (vice captain, Auckland), Kalani Walters-Hewson (Kaitaia), Taelor Parker (asst coach, Rotorua), Meripa Taufua (Papakura), Martina Rickard (Tainui), Brydie Harrison (Kaitaia), Sharon Tomokino (Auckland), Georgia Butler (Papakura) and Libby Butler (Papakura).