Mtutuzeli Hlomela
Encyclopedia
Mtutuzeli Hlomela is the captain of the South African national Australian rules football team
(Buffaloes) and since 2005 head coach of AFL South Africa
and is of the most successful Aussie Rules players/coaches to come out of from South Africa
.
Mtutu had played soccer at junior level and at age 17, won a "football" scholarship through the South Australia
n and Western Cape
sports ministries. Mistakenly believing his application was a soccer position, and he was able to pass his interview from a quick crash course in the sport.
Arriving in Adelaide
, Mtutu was able to successfully convert from soccer to Australian Football, playing for the Sturt Football Club
in the South Australian National Football League
.
The 167 cm, 72 kg, Hlomela, nicknamed "Tutu" and "Clifford" had developed accurate kicking and skilled ball handling, charismatic leadership qualities and a passion for the game.
After a season at Under 19 level in 1998 as part of his scholarship, Tutu returned to South Africa where he played for Eldorado Park in AFL South Africa
.
Mtutu represented his country as part of the national team that competed in both the 2002
and 2005 Australian Football International Cup
s as captain/coach, where his outstanding performances earned him a spot on the All-International team.
Mtutu was appointed AFL Development Manager for the Gauteng Province, where he successful in introducing thousands of young children to the sport.
In 2005, he was appointed the full-time position of head coach of AFL South Africa.
Among his coaching honours are:
South African national Australian rules football team
The South African national Australian rules football team represent South Africa in the sport of Australian rules football....
(Buffaloes) and since 2005 head coach of AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa is the governing body and development organisation for Australian rules football in South Africa.They manage the South African national Australian rules football team, development leagues and competitions in several provinces as well as junior participation.The body is funded by...
and is of the most successful Aussie Rules players/coaches to come out of from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Mtutu had played soccer at junior level and at age 17, won a "football" scholarship through the South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n and Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
sports ministries. Mistakenly believing his application was a soccer position, and he was able to pass his interview from a quick crash course in the sport.
Arriving in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, Mtutu was able to successfully convert from soccer to Australian Football, playing for the Sturt Football Club
Sturt Football Club
Sturt Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League. The club is best known for its period of dominance from 1966–76 under legendary coach Jack Oatey, during which it revolutionised the style of play by emphasising teamwork and accurate ball...
in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
.
The 167 cm, 72 kg, Hlomela, nicknamed "Tutu" and "Clifford" had developed accurate kicking and skilled ball handling, charismatic leadership qualities and a passion for the game.
After a season at Under 19 level in 1998 as part of his scholarship, Tutu returned to South Africa where he played for Eldorado Park in AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa is the governing body and development organisation for Australian rules football in South Africa.They manage the South African national Australian rules football team, development leagues and competitions in several provinces as well as junior participation.The body is funded by...
.
Mtutu represented his country as part of the national team that competed in both the 2002
2002 Australian Football International Cup
The 2002 Australian Football International Cup was the inaugural international Australian rules football tournament held in Melbourne, Australia in 2002....
and 2005 Australian Football International Cup
2005 Australian Football International Cup
The 2005 Australian Football International Cup was the second time that the Australian Football International Cup tournament, an international Australian rules football competition was held....
s as captain/coach, where his outstanding performances earned him a spot on the All-International team.
Mtutu was appointed AFL Development Manager for the Gauteng Province, where he successful in introducing thousands of young children to the sport.
In 2005, he was appointed the full-time position of head coach of AFL South Africa.
Among his coaching honours are:
- The junior Buffaloes at the 2006 Barassi International Australian Football Youth TournamentBarassi International Australian Football Youth TournamentThe Barassi Youth Tournament is an international Australian rules football tournament for junior players who are no older than 16 years of age. In conjunction with the Australian Football International Cup senior competition, the youth cup is an important event for the development of Aussie Rules...
- The Buffaloes to surprise victory against the Australian ConvictsAustralian ConvictsThe Australian Convicts are a touring amateur team of Australian rules football players and officials from Australia.The Convicts were formed in 2003 to help promote Australian rules football internationally through playing tour matches against international amateur sides.-Tours:The Convicts have...
in February 2007 - The South African Under 19 team on their indigenous tour to Australia in February 2007
- The senior Buffaloes squad against the Australian Institute of SportAustralian Institute of SportThe Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
Under 17 team from Australia in 2007