General Football Discussion

Ethnic Clubs in New Zealand

9 replies · 2,461 views
almost 9 years ago

I'm currently doing a bit of research into ethnic clubs that exist / existed in New Zealand and am just wondering if anyone can add to this list? Very possible I've missed a few out?

* Adriatic (Croatia)
* Central United (Croatia)
* HNK Auckland Croatia (Croatia)
* Wellington Olympic (Greece / Cyprus)
* Wellington United / Zeelandia / Hungaria (Dutch & Hungarian)

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t: @PauloSimao55

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almost 9 years ago

All the Marist clubs are traditionally Catholic. Not an ethnic identity though I guess

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almost 9 years ago

Northern (who later became part of Brooklyn Northern United):

Northern was formed by members of Wellington’s Chinese community and first fielded a team in 1949.

https://www.bnu.org.nz/a-brief-history

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almost 9 years ago

There was a dutch club in Christchurch - I think it might have been called Atlantis (after the ship they came over in ) and it may have changed it's name to a current club at some stage.

There were also heaps of Thistle clubs (Scottish) around - Auckland , Wellington ,Christchurch (?) Palmerston North , and Gisborne to name a few. There was a Chatham Cup Final in the 1930's I think between two Thistle sides.

There was also a club called NADA (Northumberland and Districts Association ) in Wellington in about the 1930's. Not sure whether that's ethnic ?

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almost 9 years ago · edited almost 9 years ago · History

chubbs wrote:

There was a dutch club in Christchurch - I think it might have been called Atlantis (after the ship they came over in ) and it may have changed it's name to a current club at some stage.

There were also heaps of Thistle clubs (Scottish) around - Auckland , Wellington ,Christchurch (?) Palmerston North , and Gisborne to name a few. There was a Chatham Cup Final in the 1930's I think between two Thistle sides.

There was also a club called NADA (Northumberland and Districts Association ) in Wellington in about the 1930's. Not sure whether that's ethnic ?

1934 was the Chatham Cup final between Thistle of Auckland & Thistle of Canterbury, the Auckland team won 2-1 in front of 7000 at the Basin. It was dubbed the "Scottish" Cup final. Wellington club Scottish Wanderers provided the hospitality including organising a procession with the teams to the Basin Reserve, led by a piper

Atlantis is now Cashmere Technical, thought it was english more than dutch, (but I'm not sure on that). formed in 1951 They changed their name in 1961 to Christchurch Wanderers, as they had adopted the colours of england's Wolverhampton Wanderers and there was no real link left with the Atlantis ship. Another name change in 1967, this time to reflect the area they were based, they became Cashmere Wanderers and then in 2012 merged with Woolston Technical to become Cashmere Technical

Island Bay United have always had a strong Italian immigrant connection as did Nelson United (now part of FC Nelson)

There were also Hungaria clubs in Christchurch (which was absorbed into the Atlantis club) and Palmerston North, but these didn't last long and never achieved the legendary status of Wellington's Hungaria

https://thejourneyfan.blogspot.co.nz/

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almost 9 years ago

Island Bay United have always had a strong Italian immigrant connection as did Nelson United (now part of FC Nelson)

Thanks all for the responses. Some really interesting one's there that I was unaware of.

Interesting mention with Island Bay United, JourneyFan. I had often wondered whether they were an Italian club or whether it was just because Island Bay has always been home to a decent Italian population. Looking through their history, some real Italian names though (Muollo, Vinaccia etc) and I believe Raf de Gregorio is playing there these days?

Freelance Football Writer

t: @PauloSimao55

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almost 9 years ago

PaulSG wrote:

Island Bay United have always had a strong Italian immigrant connection as did Nelson United (now part of FC Nelson)

Thanks all for the responses. Some really interesting one's there that I was unaware of.

Interesting mention with Island Bay United, JourneyFan. I had often wondered whether they were an Italian club or whether it was just because Island Bay has always been home to a decent Italian population. Looking through their history, some real Italian names though (Muollo, Vinaccia etc) and I believe Raf de Gregorio is playing there these days?

bit of both I think. The club started life as Technical College Old Boys in 1931 and changed there name in 1966, as it was in Island Bay it was natural for the Italian's that lived there to play for them. So not quite the same as Olympic or Hungaria which were clubs set up for the specifically for the ethnic community

Raf de Gregorio started at Island Bay, but think he is playing for Olympic this season

https://thejourneyfan.blogspot.co.nz/

New Zealand Football Media Association Website of the year 2015 & 2016

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almost 9 years ago

PaulSG wrote:

Island Bay United have always had a strong Italian immigrant connection as did Nelson United (now part of FC Nelson)

Thanks all for the responses. Some really interesting one's there that I was unaware of.

Interesting mention with Island Bay United, JourneyFan. I had often wondered whether they were an Italian club or whether it was just because Island Bay has always been home to a decent Italian population. Looking through their history, some real Italian names though (Muollo, Vinaccia etc) and I believe Raf de Gregorio is playing there these days?

They also serve up a mean pasta at their after match functions ?

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almost 9 years ago

Not an ethnic club at all really, but Raumati Hearts were so named because one of the founders was a Scottish immigrant and avid Hearts fan.

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almost 9 years ago

Chch club FC Twenty 11 is a merger of Burnside and Avon. 

Avon were a merger between Riccarton and Shamrock.

Shamrock almost certainly Irish Catholics as they started out as Marist in 1924, before switching to Shamrock in 1941.

Shamrock

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