ACFC in the Community - Mt Roskill Intermediate

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 20 March 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC is pleased to bring you the best of Mount Roskill Intermediate School students reflections of their 'Fun Friday' at 'ACFC in the Community'.

Led by Auckland City FC and former All White striker Kris Bright, 'ACFC in the Community' is making a big impact on Mount Roskill Intermediate School.

Football Fern Rosie White was on site to offer coaching alongside Maori Football Aotearoa's Phill Pickering-Parker and men's and women's senior footballers from Auckland City FC and Central United FC to 100 Year7/8 students.

Split into small groups, the students had a lot of fun and learned elements of Te Reo Maori in their activities.

Bright explained why the programme was so important.

"Today was fantastic, we had over a hundred kids here at Mount Roskill Intermediate School.

"Our 'ACFC in the Community' is targeting local primary and intermediate schools funded football at school time, during curriculum time, outside of curriculum time - lunch time and interval.

"It's giving kids an opportunity they would otherwise not have to play organised football. Around 10 percent of the students here actually play football.

"The other 90 percent don't play but they love the programme and its great to provide football for them," Bright said.

From a boys' perspective, Dylan Jackson and Afnaan Farook both had a lot to say about 'ACFC in the Community'.

"Friday mornings are really fun because we get to train under expert coaches from Auckland City FC.

"I get to play with my friends, which makes it more fun and enjoyable.

"And for some people that don't play for a club. It's like bringing the club experience to school," Jackson said.

"You get to play new games, you get to learn new games, and you can always have like fun doing them.

"And you get to learn new things from coaches from Auckland City FC. You get to play with your mates," Farook said.

Mount Roskill Intermediate School girls Mary Finauvala, Hafsa Abdulahi and Fahtima Ali shared their experiences.

"It's really nice for them (Auckland City FC) to come here. They're professional coaches and they teach us new skills," Ali said.

"Lot's us are not playing at football clubs but now we know how it feels to be at a football club," Abdulahi said.

"Having the opportunity for Auckland City FC to come here is an honour because they taught us new helpful skills that we can last a lifetime," Mary Finauvala said.

With the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand due to kick-off in August next year, having Rosie White on site was a massive boost for everyone involved.

White enjoyed coaching the students and shared her thoughts about 'ACFC in the Community'.

"It's great to be here with Auckland City FC down at Mount Roskill Intermediate giving kids opportunities to play football and have lots of fun.

"Seeing lots of numbers give it a go. It doesn't matter where you are. that's what is so great about football, you can introduce it at any level.

"There aren't any pre-requisite skills required with football, you can just kick a ball and have fun.

"The kids had a great time and that's great to see," White said.

Fahtima Ali said meeting Rosie White was a fantastic experience.

"We got to meet a real professional female player like Rosie White.

"We're happy she took time in her day to come to our school and play with us and just get to know us and have a good time with us," she said.

Mary Finauvala said: "It was really fun because she taught us new techniques and things that we never knew."

Ends

Acknowledgement
Auckland City FC would like to thank New Zealand Football's Paula Hansen, Football Fern Rosie White, Maori Football Aotearoa, Phill Pickering-Parker, Auckland City FC men's players Angel Berlanga, Adam Mitchell and Christian Gray, Auckland City FC and Central United FC women's players Wallis Bland and Alyssa Golding, Mount Roskill Intermediate's Principal Kristen Walsham, Deputy Principal Nicky Fleming and also Carl Maskell, the school's sports coordinator, for their contribution to making 'ACFC in the Community' a success.

To find out more about 'ACFC in the Community' please contact Kris Bright.

Contact Details
Auckland City FC - 'ACFC in the Community'
Kris Bright
E: pathway@academy.football
M: +64 (0)21 - 088 99901