Auckland football team RYAN have won the New Zealand Communities Football Cup for the second time against defending champions, Somalia Wellington.
At final whistle the score was 1 all, but the Mt Roskill team won the finals 5-3 in a tense and exciting penalty shoot-out. The finals marked the end of a weekend’s football featuring 16 of New Zealand’s best ethnic football teams including Suva, Poland, Colombia and Zimbabwe, and eight women’s five aside teams including Croatia, Kurangaituku Maia and RYAN women’s team. New Zealand Police played in both competitions.
"My heartiest congratulations to RYAN and Kurangaituku Maia in winning the men’s and women’s tournaments respectively, and I commend all the teams for their achievements and participation. The warm friendship shown between the teams was evident. We know we're achieving our aims of wide social cohesion", said Deputy Chief Executive for Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services, Superintendent Wally Haumaha.
“This tournament is an important platform for creating social cohesion between many diverse cultures and ethnicities. The ongoing support and sponsorship through Police and our partnerships will ensure this tournament continues to grow relationships with all of our communities. Police are very proud to sponsor this alongside Auckland Council and others," said Mr Haumaha.
The tournament provided two days of fast-paced football which was by and large injury free. The NZ Football injury prevention team were able to get some great traction promoting the FIFA 11+ with teams getting warmed up before games and making the most of the run downs and physio services offered.
Jamie Milne, New Zealand Football's Community Development Manager said, “I am pleased that the tournament objectives of fair play, respect for the opposition and match officials was adhered to. The teams appreciated the good standard of refereeing and a big congratulations to the tournament organisers and thanks to the key funders and partners in the event - roll on the 2017 NZCFC".
The tournament was at Mangere Centre Park, Auckland and is an annual event. It is supported by NZ Police, NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils, SportZone, NZ Football, Auckland Council, Lion Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, NZ Communities Trust and Human Rights Commission.
Cup Final Winners – RYAN (Auckland)
Plate Winners - Kaw Thoo Lai United (Palmerston North)
Bowl Winners - NZ Police
Women's Cup Winners - Kurangaituku Maia (Auckland)
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ENDS
Issued by Police Media Team
