Auckland Representative Program
Auckland Regional Representative (Auckland Reps) Program
Who Are the Auckland Representatives?
The Auckland Representatives are proud six-time winners and current holders of the Ben Afitu Shield. This prestigious title is awarded annually at the New Zealand National Dragon Boat Championships to the region with the most victories across multiple divisions in the fiercely competitive regional rep races.
The previously name NZ Regional Representative Shield was renamed in 2024 to honour the late Ben Afitu. A passionate figure in both dragon boating and waka ama, Ben's legacy lives on through his commitment to sharing knowledge with a wholehearted approach to paddling.
In 2025, the battle for the Ben Afitu Shield continued at Lake Karapiro on the 4th and 5th of April, and Auckland scooped the win by 1 point against the Waikato region.
What is the Auckland Representative Program?
Each year, affiliated members of the Auckland Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) are invited to express their interest in joining the Auckland Rep program. This program offers a unique opportunity for paddlers, sweeps, and coaches to represent the Auckland region and compete against the best regional crews in the country at the NZ National Dragon Boat Championships.
For more information, please read the 2025 Auckland Representative Policy
2025 Auckland Representative Coaches
The Auckland Dragon Boat Association is excited to announce the Head Coaches for this season’s Auckland Representative Crew: Deb Camplin, Ricky Greaves and Sooupu Perese. These three bring a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to the program, ensuring a season filled with growth, connection, and achievement.
Read more: Introducing the Head Coaches for the Auckland Representative Crew
Athletes
The Auckland Representative Crew is made up of driven and committed athletes from crews across Auckland. Athletes are selected from their respective home dragon boating clubs.
- Technical Skill - Paddlers with the ability to consistently execute stroke technique, sweeps who can position their crew for success, and callers who can motivate and sync with the team.
- Attitude - Team players who are adaptable and willing to follow coaching instructions and work in harmony with their crew.
- Commitment - Beyond showing up to training, we seek those who are dedicated to working hard and continuously improving their skills.
The Auckland Representative Program is demanding, but the rewards are immense. From personal growth to the thrill of competing at Nationals, this is anyones chance to take their dragon boating journey to the next level.
2025 Athlete selection
A record 126 athletes submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) this season, surpassing last year’s total of 116. From this impressive pool, 85 paddlers have been selected to represent Auckland and defend our regional title, along with the Ben Afitu Shield, at the 2025 National Championships on 4-5 April at Lake Karapiro.
For those not selected for a racing crew this season, the program coaches would like to express their appreciation for the hard work and dedication shown throughout the trials. The journey to becoming a Regional Representative athlete doesn’t end here, and all athletes are encouraged to continue striving toward their goals. There will always be more opportunities ahead to grow, compete, and succeed.
Auckland will field six regional crews at 2025 National Championships, including:
Standard crews:
Small crews:
Read the press release: 2025 Auckland Representative Crew Announced