AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's Tong Zhou has made another major impact in the local community by taking a grassroots and youth team on tour to South Korea.
27 August 2025
The 34-year-old who played against SL Benfica and Bayern Munich at the FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025 has made a strong commitment to developing New Zealand youth players since he arrived in the country nearly three years ago.
Zhou was a former professional in the Chinese Super League where he played for Tianjin Men Tigers.
“As a first-team player of Auckland City, I feel very fortunate to compete on the highest stage and to have the opportunity to represent the team around the world.
“This trip to Korea, however, gave me a different role — as a coach, I once again experienced the vitality and passion of Asian football.
“The U-12 teams from Korea, Japan, and China demonstrated great intensity, tempo, and execution in their matches. They were formidable opponents, and this made me more clearly realise the importance of “high-level competition” for the development of young players in New Zealand,” he said.
Zhou hosted a youth tournament at Kiwitea Street at the start of 2025 and last year he took an Auckland City FC team to China where they played teams in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai.
He believes that cultural exchange and youth development are elements that complement each other in a very positive way.
“From the perspective of a coach, I focused more on the performance and growth of the children. These high-level youth players showed a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and fighting spirit.
“Through the games and exchanges, I was able to bring these valuable experiences back to New Zealand and share them with our children. Training is not only about improving skills but also about shaping values.
“I firmly believe that this kind of cross-cultural exchange will help children become better people, both on and off the pitch,” he said.
Zhou runs the Auckland International Football Club (AIFC) and he hopes to continue more youth competitions and coaching for youngsters in the city.
“The mission of AIFC has always been to build bridges and create opportunities for young players in New Zealand to experience international high-level football.
“This trip to Korea was not just about competition but also a valuable opportunity for learning and exchange. We established connections with Korean clubs and coaches, opening doors for possible future collaboration.
“For me personally, seeing our players face challenges bravely and step up in an unfamiliar environment made me feel very proud.
“At the same time, it further strengthened my conviction that the value of AIFC is not only in training, but also in teaching children teamwork, discipline, and perseverance through football,” he said.
You can contact Tong Zhou at AIFC by email here: admin@aklinterfc.com
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