City embrace Māori Football, Cook Islands tour

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 19 July 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's commitment to Oceania football and the cultures within it were emphasised this week with news the club will face Cook Islands U-15 team in a friendly on Thursday.

Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) have undertaken a tour with their U-16 women's and U-15 boys teams taking on a variety of club opposition around Auckland this week.

Papakura City provided the opposition for the Cook Islands on Monday and today they faced Central United FC beating the Kiwitea Street side 5-0 and Atarangi Māori at Ngahue Reserve.

Tomorrow, Fencibles United provide Cook Islands U-16 women's team with opposition while Auckland City FC take on the Cook Islands U-15 boys at Ngahue Reserve at 1.00pm NZDT.

Club chairperson Ivan Vuksich said it was an honour for the two clubs from Kiwitea Street to participate in the tour with Central United FC and Auckland City FC both in action with the Cook Islands.

"Our club is one of the most diverse in New Zealand. We have club members from ethnicities, cultures, religions and backgrounds from all over the world.

"Our thinking has always been to open our arms wide and embrace a multicultural flavour to everything we do while also celebrating our identity as a New Zealand football club.

"Māori Football's involvement as opposition offers a tremendous aspect to the tour and I'm sure the Clash of Cultures, as its been described on the Māori Football website, will be a lot of fun.

"I hope the Cook Islands FA, their players, coaching staff and supporters have a great time, learn a lot from their experiences and enjoy their tour," he said.

The tour is rounded off on Friday 23 July 2021 when Arawhiti Māori play Cook Islands U-15 boys and Pounami Māori take on Cook Islands U-16 women's team.

Ends

EXTRA INFORMATION

Māori Football
www.maorifootball.co.nz

Cook Islands Football Association
www.cookislandsfootball.com

COOK ISLANDS FA TOUR

Cook Islands U-15 Boys Tour

Monday 19 July 2021
v. Papakura City
McLennan Park, Papakura - 5.00pm NZDT

Tuesday 20 July 2021
v. Atarangi Māori
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland - 1.00pm NZDT

Thursday 22 July July 2021
v. Auckland City FC
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland- 1.00pm NZDT

Friday 23 July 2021
v. Arawhiti Māori
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland - 10.30am NZDT

Cook Islands U-16 Women's Tour

Monday 19 July 2021
v. Papakura City
McLennan Park, Papakura - 5.00pm NZDT

Tuesday 20 July 2021
v. Central United FC
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland - 10.30am NZDT

Thursday 22 July 2021
v. Fencibles United
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland - 10.30am NZDT

Friday 23 July 2021
v. Pounamu Māori
Ngahue Reserve, Auckland - 1.00pm NZDT