Team Somalia from Wellington, have become the sixth champions of the New Zealand Communities Football Cup after winning 2 – 0 against Team Ireland from Nelson.
“It was great to have had a final between a talented former refugee team from Wellington and a well supported and passionate Irish team from Nelson,” said Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, National Strategic Ethnic Advisor.
The tournament, held over the last two days, has seen 12 teams representing 16 ethnic communities from all over New Zealand compete for the national title. The national tournament is the culmination of more than 1000 regional games of football with over 250 teams vying to make their way to the finals.
“It’s a fantastic tournament which has built up loyalty between all cultures involved,” said Mr Naidoo.
A Wellington region 5 a side women’s tournament was also held alongside the national tournament and 10 local women’s team competed. The 5 a side women’s final was an all Irish team final with Ireland 2 beating Ireland 1 in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied after extra time.
The closing ceremony was attended by Brazilian Ambassador His Excellency Mr Eduardo Gradilone, Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Maori Superintendent Wallace Haumaha and FIFA U-20 Media Liaison Gordon Irvine.
NZ Police strongly support the White Ribbon campaign so it was “really positive to have had all the players take the White Ribbon pledge at the opening ceremony” said Mr Naidoo.
Many thanks to all involved, in particular, Wellington City Council, FIFA U-20 World Cup, New Zealand Federation of Multi Cultural Councils,SportZone and Wellington Phoenix, Wellington Community Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, Lions Foundation.
NZ Police introduced the tournament in 2008 as a way to connect diverse communities, celebrate success, recruit from ethnic communities and encourage social change.
Final Results - Men
Cup winner: Somalia – Wellington
Cup runner-ups: Ireland - Nelson
Plate winner: RYAN (Refugee Youth Action Network (Auckland)
Plate runner-up: England (Hamilton)
Bowl winner: Poland (Christchurch)
Bowl runner-ups: Colombia (Wellington)
Team Fairplay Award: Sunny Zimbabwe (Palmerston North)
Men’s MVP: Cameron Thomas. Ireland
Men’s highest goal scorer: Van Elia – Somalia
Women’s 5 a side
Cup Winners: Ireland 2 – Wellington
Runners Up: Ireland 1 - Wellington
Team Fairplay Award: Playsport (Wellington)
MVP: Etion Friel – Ireland 1
2014 New Zealand Communities Football Cup champions – Somalia from Wellington.
Photo credit: Rob Georgiou
Issued by Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata, Senior Media Advisor, PNHQ.
