Welcome to our July Newsletter!

It's July and that means there's just one month to go for our exclusive club ticketing promotion. Football clubs around the country have a fantastic opportunity to fundraise by helping to sell FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup ticket packages to club members by the closing date Sunday 31 August.

In this newsletter we're pleased to announce which African teams have qualified for the tournament and we're only weeks away from knowing the final three teams out of Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.

Also this month read about our schools promotion and volunteer update plus see how the Young Football Ferns are getting on in Paraguay!

Till next time.

Chris Simpson
CEO Local Organising Committee

Flamingoes, Black Maidens qualify

The two African teams to compete at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup have been decided after qualification matches throughout June and July. Nigeria's U-17 team, known as the Flamingoes, and Ghana's U-17 team, known as the Black Maidens, have emerged triumphant placing first and second respectively. Read more

Special ticket deals for clubs and schools

With just over a month to go for the NZ Football 'Friends and Family' ticket promotion, club members need to get in quick to secure the best deals. Tickets start at $5 for match days and a percentage of each sale goes towards a designated club so it's a great way to fundraise! Order forms need to be in by Sunday 31 August. To find our more click here

Primary and intermediate schools can also also make the most of an exclusive offer which enables students to attend the schools promotion match for just $5. To find out more and to contact you regional schools coordinator click here

South America tour for Young Football Ferns

The Young Football Ferns are currently away in Paraguay as part of their build up to the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The team won its first game in the quadrangular tournament involving Paraguay's U-17 team and club sides Cerro Porteno and Universidad Autonoma. Read more

Hundreds eager to volunteer!

The number of people signed up to volunteer for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup has reached 600 - already twice the number used at the 2007 Netball World Championships. But we still need more! Because there are so many of you, we will be starting an online Volunteer E-noticeboard packed full of information specific to volunteers. Read more

Country Profile: Paraguay

The Young Football Ferns match up against the Paraguay U-17 national team this week as both teams prepare for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Paraguay finished behind Colombia and Brazil to qualify as the third South American team for the tournament. Read more

Young Football Ferns Profile: Megan Shea

Megan Shea celebrated her 16th birthday in Paraguay last week preparing for the most challenging games of her career. The Christchurch native knows how important it is to impress coach Paul Temple while on tour given the fact she is one of only three Young Football Ferns based outside of Auckland. Read more

Olympic selection for Auckland staff

Two staff members from the FIFA Auckland Venue Organising Committee will represent NZ at the Beijing Olympics. Marketing Coordinator Jenny Bindon and Schools Coordinator Hayley Moorwood are on tour with the senior team as they prepare for their opening game on August 8. Read more

Christchurch hosts Phoenix game

QEII Stadium in Christchurch - one of the four venues for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup - hosted the Wellington Phoenix and a Mainland Football selection last Sunday for an exciting match which attracted almost 6,500 people. Read more

Trophy proves popular in Hamilton

Hamilton was the first host city to show off the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup trophy this month as it makes its way around the country. Hordes of football fans were keen to take their pictures with the impressive silverware. Read more

Football feast for Wellington

Wellington showed why it's called both the events capital and the football capital of NZ when it hosted two international matches at short notice this month. The Oly-Whites played nail-biting games against the Chile U-23 team as part of their build up to Beijing. Read more