< Back to News Home Sahlen's Sports entities have a strong KIWI Konnection

Posted (10/24/2011) -

Joe Sahlen’s Sports entities of the Western New York Flash Women’s Professional Soccer Team and Team Sahlen Sports Car Racing have a strong New Zealand “KIWI Konnection”.

  

At the Sahlen Sports entity of the Western New York Flash Women’s Professional Soccer, there are two significant figures whom whose passports have New Zealand citizenship written all over them.

  

Head Coach Aaran Lines hails from New Zealand.  In order to pursue his dream of becoming a Professional Soccer Player, Coach Lines moved from his home country at the very young age of 16 to Germany.  But Aaran did not forget his home roots, returning many times during his career to play for the New Zealand National Team.  These National outings included appearances for his New Zealand full national team, 9 with the U-23 squad, 8 with the U-20 and 10 with U-17’s. He has participated in the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Confederations cup with the New Zealand National Team and has played full competitive international games against 5-time world champion Brazil, as well as Germany, France, and the USA.  Since his retirement from being a professional player, Aaran has transitioned into the coaching ranks, where he has steered the Flash to 2 consecutive National Titles.

 

Shared Coach Lines, “I am very proud that both Team Sahlen and the Western New York Flash have found success in hiring talented individuals from my home country of New Zealand.  Additionally, the Western New York Flash also has a very good relationship with the New Zealand Football Association.”

 

 

All-Star Flash player Ali Riley has strong roots back to New Zealand.  Although she was born in America, her family actually is from New Zealand, and Ali plays for the New Zealand Women’s National Soccer Team.  In fact, during the 2011 season, Ali played for New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup in Germany.  To date, Riley has 29 caps with the New Zealand national team.  She represented New Zealand in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China ... also played in the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in Papua New Guinea.  Additionally, Ali played in U-20 World Cup qualifying in Samoa in 2006 and at U-20 world championships in Russia.  She was named the New Zealand International Women's Player of the Year and the Nike International Young Women's Player of the Year in 2006 and 2008. During the 2010 season, Ali solidified the left back position with the Flash, enroute to winning the WPS title.

 

At Sahlen’s other sports entity – Team Sahlen Sports Car Racing, there are an additional two individuals who have strong New Zealand ties.

 

Team Sahlen Lead Engineer Catherine Crawford Wallace’s family hails from New Zealand.  In fact, her family still owns a sheep farm.  It was at this sheep farm, where a young Catherine would visit New Zealand during your summer breaks from school, and grow a fondness for her homeland. 

 

Catherine shared her thoughts on the KIWI epidemic -  “It is amazing to be this far from “home” and end up on a team with such a “Kiwi” connection. It is always said that wherever you go in motorsports you will find a Kiwi but to find so many in the extended Sahlen family was such a surprise. I always tell people they must go there and see the beautiful countryside and meet the friendly laid back people. I have never met a Kiwi that didn’t miss it when they left and one day I will find my way back, but the opportunities over here and with Team Sahlen and the Western New York Flash have obviously enticed us all the stay!”

 

New to Team Sahlen will be young Dane Cameron.  Dane will be the lead driver for Team Sahlen’s #42 Mazda RX-8 in 2012.  Although Dane crew up in California, his family’s story begins just one generation ago in New Zealand.  Dane’s Dad and Uncle moved together to America in search of pursuing racing as a full time career.  As the duo were able to establish their racing programs, they were able to have their families join them in America. 

 

Emphasized Dane Cameron - I think having all these Kiwi's around is fantastic! Both sides of my family for a few generations are from New Zealand, I was born and raised in California but I am proud of my background and I wish I got to visit more often. About 25 years ago my Uncle, who was a driver and my Father who was a mechanic came to the states to pursue bigger opportunities in motorsports. My Uncle went on to win the Rolex 24 twice in Camel Lights and 2nd in the Formula Atlantic championship and my Father worked his way up to being an engineer and just won his 5th championship in Star Mazda among others successes.  Funny enough the very first time I ever drove a race car was in New Zealand when I was about 15. It’s been about 5 years or so since I have been so I am definitely overdue for a trip back home to see all my extended family.  I really enjoy meeting more people from New Zealand and talking about where are families are from so I look forward to meeting Aaran and Ali!

 

The strange part to this “KIWI Konnection” is the unique aspect that New Zealand is halfway around the world away from Midwest America.  And the country itself is only 100,000 sq. miles and 4.3 million citizens.  Yet, by a unique stroke of fate, here the two sports entities of Sahlens has 4 major team members who hail from New Zealand.

“I am not quite sure how we have gained such a collection of “Kiwis”,” - shared Joe Sahlen, “But I am certainly glad we have these four.  They have been truly a great find and an asset to our goals and mission at Sahlen Sports entities.  This includes both their performances in the events and how they carry themselves in public with our fans and enthusiasts.”

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