IWFFA NEW ZEALAND PROMOTIONAL TOUR
From March 8 - 25, 2024, the IWFFA traveled to Nelson, New Zealand
We introduced flag football to this part of New Zealand, in the southern city of Nelson. There were no flag football teams in New Zealand, so we were working from the ground up. We worked with Victory Primary School and established 3 teams of girls between the ages 8 - 11 years old.
We also had an international group of women, new to New Zealand from: Afghanistan, Malaysia and Colombia, who signed up to play and this group practiced in the evenings at Victory Square Park.
We trained the girls each day at Victory Primary School to prepare for the March 25 Friendship Games
The Friendship Games played on Monday, March 25, and included lot's of half time games, such as : tug a war, wheel barrel races, sprints, relays, etc. The championship was played at school, and we ran out of time, so the final score was 6 vs 6. Team #1 took third place, and teams #2 and team #3 tied for the championship.
The promotional tour was successful for several reasons:
We initiated a "Mom's Coaching their Daughter's flag football team" program. Two moms were to take charge of the girls flag football practices: Katja and Mandy Bezuidenhout. School teacher Ash Della Bosca was also to continue the sport at the school itself. The girls thoroughly enjoyed playing flag football. Women from other countries have a physical activity they can join in and socialize with other foreign women new to New Zealand. This is just the beginning .
We'd like to thank:
Amelia Regina Peinado, Principal of Victory Primary School: Dan George, Teachers Ash Della Bosca and Kelly Burrell, and Mom Coaches: Mandy Bezuidenhout and Katja.