Senior Māori men’s and women’s teams will start a three-test series against Australian indigenous sides at an international festival in Queensland on Saturday.
It’s the first time Māori Football Aotearoa have taken teams for overseas games.
Māori Football Aotearoa’s Phil Pickering-Parker says he helped found the organisation in 2008, wanting to help players “celebrate being Māori in a game that’s not traditionally representative of Māori.”
Main photo: Phil Pickering-Parker.
In an interview with The Hui, and broadcast by Newshub, Pickering-Parker said there are now six teams, with two senior teams, two under-18 teams, and two under-16 teams.
This year, 6277 Māori players are playing in Aotearoa, and over the years, Māori Football Aotearoa has helped nurture hundreds of players.
“Football is actually very popular, especially in the younger ages, because it’s less combative than rugby and league,” Pickering-Parker said.
Watch The Hui story
Fixtures
First tests
Games to be played on Saturday July 1, 2023
Ballinger Park Sports Complex, Buderim, Queensland
Second tests
Games to be played on Tuesday July 4, 2023
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Flinders View, Queensland
Third tests
Games to be played on Friday July 7, 2023
Coplicks Sports Park, Tallebudgera, Queensland
Squads
Manawa (Tane)
Luke Sutton, Tainui (captain)
Taine Bracken, Ngâti Porou, Ngapuhi
Cody Rickard, Tainui
Tainui Adams, Tainui
Jamie Mason, Ngâti Porou
Alex McGregor, Ngâti Porou
Hemi Innes, Ngäi Tahu
Elijah Austen, Ngäi Tahu
Thomas Owens, Ngäi Tahu
Pharrell Trainor, Te Rarawa, Ngati Whatua
Lucia Lolohea, Te Aupouri
Herewini Insley, Ngäti Whakaue
Brodie Parata-Dick, Ngäti Toa
Mel Cropp, Ngäti Taura, Ngati Kea
Ashdin Tuuta, Ngâti Mutunga
Jackson West Te Aupouri
Nkhata Hollywell, Te Atiawa
Aaron Browne, Ngäpuhi
Reon Werahiko, Ngâti Tahu, Ngàti Whaoa
Ryan Nicholson, Ngäti Rangitihi
Coach: Rhys Ruka, Ngäpuhi
Coach : Mark Rollings, Ngãi Tuhoe
Mauri (Wahine)
Ruby-Aroha Gurnick, Tainui, Ngãi Tuhoe, Te Awrawa
Hannah Saxon, Ngati Pãoa
Leyla Butler, Ngäti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
Pep Oliver-Bell, TeHaunui-a-Pâpärangi,NgâtiTuwharetoa
Sara Leigh Derbyshire, Ngati Tuwharetoa
Sammy Butler, Ngapuhi, Ngâti Porou
Ashley Porter, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa
Jasmine Burnard-Leppinus, Ngaruahine
Britney-Lee Nicholson, Ngati Rangatihi
Reremoana Walker, Ngâti Haua, Ngapuhi
Jasmine Donald, Taranaki
Kirsty Gage Ngati, Hinerangi
Ella Golding, Ngati Maniapoto
Tallulah Nemet-Sargent, Ngapuhi
Hannah Langsbury, Kai Tahi, Kati Mamoe
Zoe Thomas, Ngati Raukawa
Steph Trowill, Ngati Pikiao
Anika Todd, Ngäti Whatua ki Kaipara
Gabby Abraham, Ngâti Kahu ki Whangaroa
Jessie Falloon, Ngäti Apa
Coach: Taelor Pickering-Parker, Ngäti Whakaue, Ngäti Manawa
Coach: Phillip Pickering-Parker, Ngati Manawa, Ngâti Whare
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