Aussie Rules OK for Martinborough man

Tight shorts and skimpy tank tops may be acceptable in Australia but Aussie Rules don't wash over here.
But that hasn't stopped Martinborough man Paul Mason from playing the game commonly known as aerial ping-pong and now his dedication to the sport has been rewarded with selection into the New Zealand Aussie Rules squad.
The team will travel to Melbourne next month to take part in what is known as the International Cup, a three yearly tournament held by the Australian Football League for Aussie Rules teams (excluding Australia) from around the world, all in order to promote the sport.
The last time the tournament was held was in 2002. New Zealand came third, but this year Mason is confident the Kiwis can pull off a win.
It would be a huge achievement for the New Zealanders, who have just three Aussie Rules leagues ? in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch ? to call upon for players, but those who play are as passionate about it as big name players in the AFL.
Mason has played the game on and off since 1998 and during the spring and summer months commutes to Wellington twice a week to train and play for his team, the Wellington City Saints.
It's a complicated game for the uninitiated, with the fundamentals quite different from the New Zealand staple, rugby union.
For starters, four 20-minute quarters are played each game, 18 players from each team are on the field at once and an entire ground is used rather than a rectangular pitch.
Scoring a goal is also a more complicated matter, with players having to kick the ball between a choice of four posts ? six points if you get it through the middle or one for getting the ball through the small stick on either side.
The other killer is the rule that a penalty is dished out to any player who gets tackled with the ball.
Confused yet? You're not alone.
And how about those tight outfits?
"That's definitely an Australian cult thing," Mason said. "While we have the sleeveless tops, I draw the line at the short shorts."
The trip to Melbourne will see the team play five games in 10 days in front of the biggest crowds of their lives, (a bit of a change from the usual turnout of girlfriends) but as well as that they will be based with the Melbourne Demons, one of the top AFL clubs in Australia, who Mason is hoping will give a few pointers.
"We've been preparing for this since November last year and we've all been doing a lot of work for it," Mason said.
"At the moment I'm going swimming, running 30km a week and going to skills training twice a week."
As to the appeal of the sport, Mason said the skill the game demands means he's constantly challenged.
"There's not that many rules really, but it's a very skilful game because everyone has to be able to pass, run, kick and catch," he said.
Fundraising is also a top priority for the team. To help sponsor Paul contact: paul@martinborough-vineyard.co.nz