REVIEW: Next Goal Wins ‘weaves humour, heart and a hint of sporting reality’
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Taika Waititi’s latest flick Next Goal Wins is screening in New Zealand cinemas this summer. The screenplay is written by Waititi and Ian Morris, with the movie directed by Waititi whose previous works include Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and the Oscar-winning Jojo … Read More

Football, fun, coffee and donuts — what a way to wind up the winter season!
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By Rachel Lilburn Taupō’s annual McCartney Invitation Tournament continues to break records, whether it’s the number of players taking part (1,600), teams (119) … or the amount of coffee (9,300 cups) and donuts (27,000) sold to those on the sidelines. … Read More

Players, refs, spectators — and pink ambassadors — get behind Weir Rose Bowl
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By Rachel Lilburn More than 700 players, 22 young referees and hundreds of spectators benefitted from three days of quality junior football at this year’s Weir Rose Bowl. The 2023 Weir Rose Bowl was held in the October school holidays … Read More

Special feature: How a favour turned into a Taupo tournament for 2,000 juniors
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By Rachel Lilburn The largest — and arguably the most successful — junior football tournament in Australasia has never been marketed, promoted or advertised. It’s an invitational tournament, grown through word of mouth, that sees close to 2,000 junior and … Read More

The power of role models and how to change our bias towards women’s sport
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By Rachel Lilburn My 11-year-old boy is football mad. He’s played since he was four. We lived in Chile until he was seven, and we would often go to Chilean Premier Division Matches. It was a predominantly male crowd, watching … Read More

Our writers reflect on a FIFA Women’s World Cup that exceeded all expectations
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Suddenly, it’s all over. A month of scintillating football, drama and emotion that undoubtedly changed the perception of football and, in particular, the women’s game. Yes, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup exceeded expectations with 64 matches that drew record … Read More

Eighth annual Christchurch tournament draws 1,500 young players
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By Rachel Lilburn The July school holidays saw 106 teams from New Zealand and Australia make their way to Christchurch for the eighth edition of the Christchurch International Cup. Fast becoming the premier junior and youth football tournament in New … Read More

Hawke’s Bay futsal tournament grows in popularity with young players
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By Rachel Lilburn A fast-growing futsal tournament has drawn more than 40 junior and youth teams to the Hawke’s Bay for three days of competition in which more than 1,000 goals were scored. Young futsal players from across the North … Read More

New Zealanders head to the two World Cups you might not have heard of …
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By Rachel Lilburn New Zealand are playing in two football World Cups this year — but there’s a fair chance you haven’t heard about either of them. They are designed for players over 40 and over 50, and they attract … Read More

Special feature: The towering centre back with dreams of World Cup glory
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He has already captained his country and made his Northern League debut last year, a week after his 16th birthday. He hopes to be in the New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He’s Dylan Gardiner who … Read More

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