WHEN Aussie Rules footballer Andrew Rhodes moved to New Zealand at 18, he thought his days of playing the game were over.
Rhodes took up Australian rules football aged six with the Ferntree Gully Eagles in Melbourne. He played for the club until he was 18, before moving to New Zealand.
He liked the lifestyle here so much he enroled in an exercise science degree at Massey University.
In his second year a friend told him about the Wellington Australian Football League, which organises the four football teams in the capital.
Rhodes attended a training session with the Wellington City Saints.
“Four years later I still play with the Saints,” Rhodes says.
The Kiwi standard of football has improved over the years, although hand passing, bouncing, and goal kicking skills are still a little rusty, he says.
“There is a lot of talent in this country. Players in New Zealand are good at running and taking hits, and once the basics are perfected the standard will be really good.”
Last year Rhodes represented Wellington in The National Provincial Championships (NPC) - a tournament between the regional leagues.
The Wellington team took the title, beating defending champions Auckland.
Rhodes plans to return to Australia to try his luck over there, but won’t leave until he helps Wellington defend their NPC title in November.
“I’m going back to play at the highest standard I can and hopefully get noticed by a big club.”
Last year Rhodes was appointed club captain, taking control of the drills, and tactical  training.
“I do a lot of talking on the field so it was a great honour when I was appointed captain last year.”
The Wellington City Saints are always looking for new talent. The club currently has 40 players from 15 to 35 years old.
Rhodes says the best way to get involved is to attend a training session.
“Anyone can play. We have people who have never played before. Our season is also when sports like rugby, union, and soccer seasons finish, so we get a lot of guys from those codes join us to stay fit.”
www.nzafl.co.nz, for contact details.