New Zealand American Football Federation
New Zealand American Football Federation, abbreviated NZAFF, is the recognised national body for American Football in New Zealand. Its website is www.nzaff.co.nz[1]
Member leagues
Currently there are three leagues in New Zealand. Each is affiliated to the governing body.
- American Football Wellington
- American Football Auckland
- American Football Canterbury
National team
The Steelblacks are the national team of New Zealand, formerly known as the New Zealand Ironblacks.
History
American Football has been played in New Zealand in an organised form since 1981. There were 4 original clubs, based in Auckland; South Auckland Saints, Mount Eden Mountain Lions, Henderson Rangers and Northshore. 2 of those clubs remain today, the Saints as South Auckland Raiders and the Mountain Lions as Metro Lions. Much later competition was started in Wellington and other clubs were formed in places like Whangarei, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Levin.
There have been a succession of governing bodies for the sport with the current NZAFF being recognised by the NZ Government and with membership from all of the regions playing football; Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Twice in its history, there have been organisational splits with competing leagues being formed. In the late 1980s there was the NZ Gridiron Football Association and the NZ American Football League, in the late 1990s and early 2000s there was Gridiron New Zealand and the NZ American Football Association. On both of these occasions, the leagues rejoined each other and overcame their differences.
Old Club Profiles
There have been a number of clubs in New Zealand since the games inception, only 2 original clubs remain but some of the others have been:
Northshore: Northshore was one of the 4 founding clubs in NZ football. Essentially it was based out of Long Bay College where an American teacher Wes Edwards? put together a very good team. While lacking in size, they did the basics well, especially the sweep with their quick backs. The club lasted for only a few years before folding and several players joining other established teams. Colours: Red with yellow numbers and white pants.
Mount Eden Mountain Lions: Another founding club that ran out of Potters Park in Mount Eden. They never had a proper coach like the other 3 clubs and struggled as a result with a succession of coaches who had played high school football or were avid television watchers. To their credit they continue to this day and are one of the most successful clubs in the Country. They are the Metro Lions and were the first club to supply players to US College football [and the NFL]. Colours: White with royal blue numbers and pants.
South Auckland Saints: A founding club who today are named the South Auckland Raiders. When the Auckland league first split into two in the early 1980s, they changed their name to the Xerox Raiders and changed their colours to purple and silver. Initially heavily influenced by members of the Morman church who supplied coaching and local players. Colours: Red with white numbers and black pants, later white jerseys with orange numbers and pants.
Henderson Rangers: A founding club and under the direction of NZ gridiron pioneer, George O’Scanlan. They also provided players to the US College system and continued as a successful club for many years before folding in the early 2000s. Colours: Dark Green with white numbers, gold pants and helmets, later royal blue jerseys with white numbers and red trim, blue pants with red and white stripes, red helmets.
Roskill Rams: The first of the expansion clubs and was made up mainly of ex Metro players. Was very successful in their first season taking out the league championship, continued as a strong club until the late 1980s when players left en-masse to form the Mount Albert Mustangs. Struggled for many years after that before folding in the early 90s. Colours: Forest Green jerseys with white numbers, pants and helmets, later, red jerseys with white numbers, pants and helmets, later, royal jerseys with white numbers and pants.
Mount Albert Mustangs: Formed in the late 1980s and immediately started a 7-year dynasty where they reigned as champions. Unfortunately the club folded after some embezzlement of club funds by a trusted member. Colours: Maroon jerseys with gold numbers, pants and helmets.
Manukau City Stallions: At the time of formation they were the southernmost club in the country, despite only being situated 30 minutes south of the harbour bridge. They were based in Manukau City and attracted a good player base and following from that area. Benefitted from the fact that the founder was the official Rawlings representative in NZ. Colours: Sky blue jerseys and pants, white numbers and helmets.
Northshore Bears: One of a procession of teams that formed and folded in short order on Auckland’s northshore. Based by the harbour bridge at Stafford Park and played in a replica of the Cleveland Browns distinctive uniform.
Sharks: The Sharks were based in the Glen Innes, Mount Wellington area. Their formation, playing and coaching success was based around Wayne Boyd who was an early star playing for Henderson Rangers. Played in navy blue with silver pants.
Wolverines: A South Auckland team that was started by Eddie and John Tavae. Always very strong and physical. Played in black with yellow trim, had the ripping claw decal on their black helmets.
Manukau Islanders: Another very strong and physical side, populated in the main [as the name suggests] by Pacific Islanders. They were a powerhouse for a number of years but tended to lack discipline on the field and that resulted in their demise. Despite trying to get back up and running a few times, they failed to do so. Navy blue jerseys and pants with gold numbers, navy helmets with a big gold roman letter I on the side.
Manurewa Miners: Obviously from Manurewa and started with a core of players from the Roskill Rams who lived in South Auckland and had been travelling long distances to train. Always strong but only lasted 4 or 5 years. Dark Green jerseys and pants with yellow trim.
