NZ tour review
Posted: 8/14/2023

DYNAMIC SOCCER FIFA 2023 WOMENS WORLD CUP NEW ZEALAND GIRLS SOCCER TOUR JULY 19-AUG 1, 2023

Our 55 person California FC U12/U14 tour team was comprised of Socal Blues 10G, San Diego Surf 10 ECNL, PSV Union FC, Bay Area Surf players coached by former LA Sol/WPS Coach of Year Abner Rogers and Dynamic Soccer owners Gary Ireland and Carine Ireland.

The tour started and ended in Auckland with a side trip to Wellington
and included 6 FIFA World Cup games including the New Zealand vs. Norway opening ceremony, USA Vietnam, Argentina v Italy, Spain v Zambia, Sweden v Italy and USA v Portugal.  

“We wanted to try something different with parents booking their own hotels and flights and internal travel which allowed everyone maximum flexibility. Unlike other tours where we selected the flight, accommodation, this tour allowed parents to enjoy quality time with their children and share the experience. It worked brilliantly thanks to Carine who arranged everything!” said Dynamic Soccer owner Gary Ireland

California FC opponents provided a mixture of competition defeating Hibiscus United and Northern Rovers 10:0 and 10:1 respectively, lost 4:1 to Japanese (J-League) club Shonan Bellmare 09G, lost 1:0 to (A-League) New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix 09G and tied 1:1 vs Wellington Phoenix 08/09G at the Sweden womens national team FIFA training base.

“The trip to New Zealand was a trip of a life time! Not only did the players get to see and enjoy this beautiful country, but got some good games in as well as watched 6 World Cup games. I couldn't pick one highlight as there was so many, but the game with Japan's 2009 club team stands out, and hopefully our players/parents can see how far we are behind both technically and tactically” Abner Rogers 2009 & 2010 Socal Blues coach.

A customized team uniform was created especially for the tour which was based on the Wellington Phoenix kit design, including the Maori ‘tohu’ design. New Zealand Womens Football icon, former New Zealand Womens Football President, FIFA Womens Development & former New Zealand Football Foundation President Michele Cox to do a book read of her book trilogy 'Sammy' with a guest appearance from her mother, founder of New Zealand womens football Barbara Cox who teamed up with Michele for New Zealand when they defeated the USA. Many group members explored the North Island by car and train visiting the Hobbit movie set, saw the Waitomo caves glow worms, visited Waiheke Island and Rotorua thermal hot springs as well as tour the scenic West and East coast of the North Island and the famous wine regions. An coincidence was our coaching staff seeing the famous All Black’s Rugby team and on another occasion the worlds best ever Rugby player Richie McCaw!  

“Having our tour in one region with so many World Cup games and sightseeing options available enabled our group to move around safely and efficiently. Accommodation quality and locations (stayed next to US team hotel) were excellent and winter the weather aside from a few days was superb and we enjoyed some spectacular views and memorable World Cup games”. Said Dynamic Soccer co-founder Carine Ireland

Dynamic Soccer provides technical trainings, scouting, bespoke individual and team worldwide tours and US and international training experiences, camps, clinics and more.

Contact Gary Ireland info@dynamicsoccer.com (650) 387 4128

Join Dynamic Soccer on Soccerbook.com here