“Maffra Plays New Zealand representative squad in preparation for Australia’s District League Championships.” 

Cambrai Hostel hosted The New Zealand football team for the weekend.
A very focused team of sportsmen arrived in Maffra Saturday afternoon.
The New Zealanders arrived on Saturday tired but very much looking forward to their game of football against Maffra the following day.

The boys enjoyed a meal from Maffra Community Sports Club that evening then back to Cambrai where they relaxed and unwound after their early morning flight some of the lads going straight to bed others listening to music and talking football tactics on how to beat Maffra.
We didn't like to tell them they were wasting their time with the tactic talk!

An early morning run and than back for Cambrai's big brekki.
Lots of leg rub downs by their physio before the big match.

It seemed the whole of Maffra was out for the Sunday, just goes to show if you run an event with all ages participating you will get the crowds,
Definitely more Sunday events needed.
A fantastic day for Maffra great work done by many, many people.
Congratulations.

Maffra's hospitality at it's best the lads were well looked after, especially after the game when they participated in a few drinks with the Maffra lads.
A bus delivered the lively crew back to us at Cambrai a bit scary on arrival however all settled and had a great night making new friends and swapping addresses, planning return trips to New Zealand lots of farewell "huggings" as the night came to an end.

The New Zealander's HAD to be up for training at 7.30am.the next morning.
Great effort!!
I’m sure there were a few sore heads bouncing around on shoulders at that
early morning training session!
Breakfast, then off to the Gippsland Lakes on Vardy's "Cruiser".

Monday evening pizza night and disecting the Footy Match on the big screen at Cambrai. Lot's of laughs were had and notes taken by the coaches on how to win their next game of Aussie Rules up in Brisbane.
Maffra showed them their winning skills.
The lads were a fantastic group who enjoyed and appreciated their time in Maffra.
Once again Cambrai wishes to congratulate the Maffra Football Club and their sponsors for a memorable weekend.

Maffra              14 20 104

New Zealand     6 6 42

New Zealand Report

A crowd of around 2000 people attended the match on a day that Maffra President Jack Vardi, claimed the biggest in the clubs history. As the Falcons lined up for their Haka, they faced off against not only the Maffra team but also a pitch invasion of about 500 excited spectators.

The significance of the occasion was not realized until the Falcons scored their first goal of the match and the crowd erupted with the many New Zealand supporters showing their true colours.

The professional performance displayed by the Falcons in the lead up and during the match, ensured that they were viewed by their opposition as true competitors.