Wellington NPC Player and New Zealand International Cup triallist, Nathan Rose is the driving force behind a push to start a new Australian Football League based in Dunedin.

New Zealand currently has established leagues in the Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington with Waikato AFL now in its third year.

As with any new enterprise, there will be many challenges that lay ahead to establish a functional competition structure. The Otago region has some unique characteristics that will need to be considered.

Firstly its population is largely transient with each new year bringing an influx of first year students and the departure of those completing their degrees. The competition must avoid school holidays and take exam timetables into consideration.

There are some huge advantages in the demographic nature of the community with an age and attitude that lends its self to social interaction and physical activity, the key elements to a good club.

New Zealand International Cup Holders

The need for administrators and organisers will be the most important ingredient and once a successful committee is in place, succession planning will be a priority to offset the changing population base.

Umpires, coaches, medical staff, ground administrators and players are just some of the requirements to make the Otago AFL a reality.

If you are interested in being involved in one of the roles mentioned above, please contact Nathan Rose on the details provided below and help in the development of the sport in Otago.

Jeremy Hanff

email:              afl.otago@gmail.com
Mobile:            021 172 5737 

For further information on Australian Football in New Zealand click here