Picture by MFA<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The event was led by MFA kaum\u0101tua Phill Pickering-Parker, who returned to his hometown and to the school he attended in the 1970s. Phill shared his personal journey from Rotorua to representing New Zealand at U-16 level, presenting the school with a framed M\u0101ori Football Aotearoa jersey and his framed New Zealand international jersey.<\/p>\n
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Speaking to the tamariki, Phill encouraged them to dream of one day pulling on either jersey \u2013 M\u0101ori Football Aotearoa or New Zealand \u2013 if they worked hard, had fun, and enjoyed playing the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe visit to Whakarewarewa School was an emotional one but also very important as we plant the seed of M\u0101ori engagement with the sport of football at an early age,\u201d Phill said. \u201cIt is vital that we connect tamariki with the game and blend the passion, fun, and ambition of the sport early so they can see there is a pathway into the future for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Representing both M\u0101ori Football Aotearoa and Auckland City FC was Gordon Watson, General Manager of both organisations, who had recently returned from the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.<\/p>\n
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Gordon shared how his own football journey was shaped by his wh\u0101nau and upbringing, and how the kaupapa of the visit was to open the football pathway in the imagination of the children.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough our k\u014drero, we wanted to spark their curiosity, then back that up with some futsal, showing how they can progress from school football to club football, to M\u0101ori Football Aotearoa representation, and perhaps one day a national team career. But even if they don\u2019t reach those heights, football can give them fitness, fun, friendships, and a lifetime connection to the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon also pointed to the example of two Auckland City FC players with strong M\u0101ori connections \u2013 Jackson Manuel and Adam Bell \u2013 who represented the club at the FIFA Club World Cup in June, facing Bayern Munich, SL Benfica, and Boca Juniors.<\/p>\n
The day was further enriched by the contribution of Sergio, a local coach with Waiariki FC and M\u0101ori Football, and a former professional player with Santos in Brazil and in Japan. Sergio now devotes his time to coaching football and futsal to local children, playing a key role in delivering MFA and club programmes in the Waiariki region.<\/p>\n
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The visit was supported by Natalie Broadhead of WaiBOP Football and Kimiora Insley of Sport Bay of Plenty, whose involvement highlighted the importance of collaboration across football\u2019s regional and cultural networks.<\/p>\n