New Zealand: Wellington Somalia team wins community football competition

Photo credit: Rob Georgiou

News from NZ Police
Sunday, November 30, 2014

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Team Somalia from Wellington became the sixth champions of the New Zealand Communities Football Cup today 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 in Wellington this weekend, 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 women’s teams 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 Eduardo Gradilone, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Maori Superintendent Wallace Haumaha and FIFA U-20 Media Liaison Gordon Irvine.

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.

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