May Newsletter 

Football culture alive and well in Wellington 

In the past month Wellington City has once again proved itself as New Zealand’s football events capital - with a footballing culture unsurpassed in Aotearoa.

Team Wellington made it to their first New Zealand Football Championship final against Waitakere United. Waitakere were worthy winners, taking the match 2-0, but a significant number of jovial Wellington fans, under the banner of the Yellow Fever supporters club, made the pilgrimage north to cheer on their team. They were in defiant voice despite the loss, painting a little corner of West Auckland a shade of brilliant yellow and proving that, win lose or draw, Wellington football fans are the loudest and most passionate in the land.

Wellington was named as host city for the country’s first Communities Football Cup - a competition for the best ethnic teams from each region. Stay tuned for qualifying news from around the country to see who will join Bavaria (Wellington) and Poland (Christchurch) in the Capital.

The Communities Cup, sponsored by the NZ Police, will be held in late November and will provide a football fix for those not already sated by the feast on offer during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

And while we're on the subject, the Official Draw Ceremony on Sunday, 1 June, at Te Papa is set to turn the spotlight on Wellington and New Zealand.

FIFA Committee members, delegations from participating nations and other international VIP guests, will know they’re in New Zealand’s Creative Capital when they receive an inspired welcome - setting the scene for a fantastic tournament.

The draw will not only identify the opponents each team will face during the group stage but also identify the venue and date for each match - bringing the international tournament one step closer to its kick-off on 28 October.