The New Zealand under-19 National American Football squad, known as the ‘Ironblacks', is preparing for its 2009 International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship qualifier against Australia.
The Oceania neighbors will clash on Saturday, Jan. 24 in Australia's capital city Canberra for the right to represent the region at the inaugural IFAF event to be played at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, from June 27 to July 5 this summer.
The 45-man New Zealand squad was selected from a total of 248 players aged 19 and under. Throughout August and September, the players were invited to attend a series of training camps held to test and assess New Zealand's junior football talent. A preliminary squad of 80 was invited to two separate trial weekends in October, held in New Zealand's capital Wellington and in its largest city Auckland, which saw the talented kiwis compete for final selection.
New Zealand's 45 Ironblacks have continued to prepare despite many of the squad being involved in their final end-of-year examinations, the holiday season and competing in their respective regional American football competitions.
The Ironblacks squad will attempt to maintain its unbeaten record against the Trans Tasman rival at junior level and continue its success from 2003, which saw the Ironblacks victorious 14-8 against Australia. American Football, or Gridiron as it is more commonly referred to in New Zealand, has been played since 1981 with junior football being introduced 14 years ago.
The Junior U19 Ironblacks were previously known as the ‘NZ Haka' and were named after the traditional Maori challenge now performed by all New Zealand national teams, but became the Ironblacks in 2003. The Haka challenge is still very much part of the Ironblacks squad, and the cultural and historical significance will be emphasized prior to departure for Australia.
The New Zealanders will be ‘Hard as Iron, Dressed in Black' on Jan. 24 and will lay a challenge to Australia, hoping to fill the seventh spot at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship, with six other nations having already qualified for the eight-team event.
The United States qualified as hosts, while Canada earned its berth based on previous junior accomplishments. The three representatives from Europe - Germany, Sweden and France - earned spots as they claimed the top three places at the 2008 European Junior Championship held in Spain in July. Japan will represent Asia, while Mexico will face the winners of a Panama vs. Bahamas Jan. 24 qualifier on Feb. 14 for the final remaining place.
Ironblacks Prepare to Take on the Aussies
January 15, 2009, revised January 22, 2009
- Audio
- Video
- Image
Club team action from New Zealand.