With the third annual Trans-Tasman Clash of the Cultures in the books, Maori Football NZ is garnering attention for creating a pathway for talented Maori footballers.

On Saturday, Papakura City’s McLennan Park hosted some of the hidden talent from both New Zealand and Australia as the NZ Maori and Australian First Nations went head-to-head.

“To finally see the fruition of months of work behind the scenes on the Trans-Tasman Clash of the Cultures (COTC) football series was amazing and highly rewarding,” NZ Maori Chairman Phillip Pickering-Parker said.

“Countless hours were spent framing up the 2020 project to ensure the spirit and intent captured the sense of pride the COTC initiative has. It has created aspirations for Maori to participate and excel in football.”

The series was very well received as both the NZ Maori and Australian First Nations lifted trophies.

The NZ Maori were victorious in the Senior Women and U-14 Girls games, while the First Nations took out the U-14 Boys.

Neither side could be separated in the final match of the day as the Senior Men played out a 1-1 draw.

Prior to each match, each team performed their haka while the First Nations performed the corroboree.

“Maori have a unique way of coming together through a shared sense of purpose and our haka threads us together into a strong united union,” Pickering-Parker said.

“Competition breeds competition, this is organic for maori in any sector or space, none more so than through sport.

“It [competition] is a key driver to push the boundaries and continue to raise our standards in everything we do.”

Maori Football NZ would like to thank the support from our sponsors: Synergine, Legacy Football Foundation, Winston Reid Football Academy, Timbertown, Moana New Zealand, DHC, CNS Healthcare, JumpShift, TURA Sportswear, New Zealand Football and Papakura City Football Club.

“Without their support the project would not have been as impactful as it was,” Pickering-Parker said.

“Also, our connection to Papakura as our turangawaewae is a strong part of our identity and this year we made a point to connect with one of the local Mana Whenua hapu, Ngāti Tamaoho and would like to acknowledge them for their support throughout the years.”

2020 Trans-Tasman Clash of the Cultures Results

U-14 Girls
NZ Maori 4 (Ruby Gurnick 22’, Isla Ganley 51’, Brooke Barclay 54’, Ruby Nathan 62’)
Australian First Nations 0

Senior Women
NZ Maori 3 (Dayna Stevens 20’, 44’, Lily Taitimu 63’)
Australian First Nations 2 (Liesel Collins 23’, pen 43’)

U-14 Boys
NZ Maori 0
Australian First Nations 2 (Jacob Farkhoury 2’, 44’)

Senior Men
NZ Maori 1 (Paora Porter 90’)
Australian First Nations 1 (Tyrell Paulson 73’)

Story courtesy of Maori Football NZ

Article added: Tuesday 21 January 2020