Tamaki Sports Academy

free metal collection Our boys provide a free metal collection service to homes and businesses in Auckland - computers, whiteware, roofing iron, metal piping, venetian blinds, batteries, car panels, cars, metal shelving, filing cabinets, machinery, lawnmowers, engines, and so on   ph: 021 263 9800 (vodafone) Email: metal@tamakisports.nz



tamaki sports academy - our history

The academy was established in 2007 by Tamaki Rugby League Inc., then a New Zealand Rugby League franchise responsible for the Tamaki Titans team in the national (Bartercard Cup) competition.

At that time a number of promising young rugby league players were getting into trouble with the police. The trigger event for us was a twelve year old Otahuhu boy who was bored one afternoon and threw a concrete block off a motorway overbridge killing a driver passing below. He was a pleasant young man around the club but at his court appearance was unable to read the statement he had made to the police.

Some of our boys were featured in an Aucklander article

The text of that (2011) article is reproduced below. The phone number has been updated.

working for play

A South Auckland sports academy has found an innovative way to raise money and help its members achieve their on-field dreams. Rowena Orejana reports.

The scrap-metal shop on the corner of Huia Rd in Otahuhu looks nothing like an academy. But here discipline is honed and trade skills developed.

Scrap-metal collection is how the academy largely supports its operation. In its fifth year, it provides correspondence education, sports training and apprenticeships to boys with troubled backgrounds who show promise in sports. Mr Cullen says the academy currently supports 12 boys. "When I was at BarterCard, one of our players was into metal-scrapping," he says. "I was already looking for ways to fundraise at the time and thought I could do that." The boys earn as they work part-time. Some learn to repair whiteware. "Not all of them become good enough to be players. It's good for them to have a trade to fall back on."

Mr Cullen says the academy plans to run a school holiday course in April for promising 15- to 17-year-olds. "This will involve fitness testing, drills and games which will be recorded so that participants can produce video clips to show scouts," says Mr Cullen. "The lack of video clips have always b een an obstacle to these South Auckland boys." He says the academy has developed good links with a number of NRL clubs in Australia. "They know our boys are being looked after in an environment where there are very clear expectations and boundaries. The boys have individualised training programmes and receive feedback so they know what the clubs want them to work on."

Bobby says the academy has helped him a lot. "We do a bit of work. We also do league training. I was in Australia last year for the Roosters trial. They told me what I needed to improve on." Mr Cullen says the academy's role has always been to provide members with an opportunity they would not otherwise have had. "Back in 2007, when the academy began, there was considerable scepticism. However, we now have a number of Auckland Rugby League's premier coaches more than happy to look at our boys."

Sporting success

Monikura Tikinau, one of Tamaki Sports Academy's first intake in 2007, went on to play in the NRL under-20 grand finals in 2009.

Glen Fisiiahi was fullback for the Warriors team which won the under-20 grand final last year. Glen is now a full-time Warrior.

Taqele Nayarovo moved from schoolboy rugby league to the championship-winning Otahuhu premier team. This year, he is among the 25 contracted players with Wests.

Tevita Liku, in his second year with the academy, is an Auckland northern region under-18 and was an under-20 representative last year, playing premier football for the Ellerslie club. He aims to secure a contract with Manly after playing in this year's Fox Memorial Championship.

Any old iron? For free metal collection, ph 021 263 9800.