The Vodafone Warriors are home for a few days before heading to Wellington for Saturday's Capital Clash against Wests Tigers at Westpac Stadium. Photo: Photosport.
An advance Vodafone Warriors team will arrive in Wellington on Wednesday morning for a three-day programme of school visits and appearances ahead of the club’s tripleheader against Wests Tigers at Westpac Stadium on Saturday (match day sponsor: Vodafone).
And on Friday the club’s NRL squad will be at the Vodafone Retail Store at 358 Lambton Quay in downtown Wellington for a public signing session on the eve of the second game the club has taken to the Capital following the success of last year’s history-making occasion watched by a record crowd of 30,112.
Saturday’s on-field action starts at 12.40pm with the National Youth Competition clash between the Vodafone Junior Warriors and the Tigers followed by the New South Wales Cup encounter kicking off at 2.40pm before the Vodafone Warriors, fresh from their courageous 20-16 win against North Queensland, face the in-form Tigers in the NRL fixture.
The off-field activities begin early on Wednesday morning with a visit to Naenae Intermediate School when the Vodafone Warriors combine with charity partner KidsCan to distribute raincoats to the school’s pupils. The Vodafone Warriors became involved with KidsCan’s Raincoats for Kids programme last March.
Led by rugby league legend Ruben Wiki and yet-to-be-named NRL players, the Vodafone Warriors will also visit two schools on Thursday and Friday to introduce pupils to the club’s Konica Minolta-sponsored League in Libraries programme.
The first of these visits on Thursday will be to St Bernadette’s School in Naenae – Vodafone Warriors prop Ben Matulino is a former pupil – with the second to Rata Street School in Naenae on Friday.
On Thursday afternoon the Vodafone Warriors’ group will return to Wendy’s in Paraparaumu for a signing session – last year’s event was a huge success – before making a Lion Red appearance at the Hotel Bristol in the city.
Friday’s programme will also include a signing session at Vodafone’s Lambton Quay store (before the NRL playing squad arrives) and a community visit to Porirua to attend the Wellington Rugby League’s preseason final between Randwick and Wainuiomata.
“Taking a home game to Wellington last year was hugely successful despite the result,” said Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah.
“We’d never taken a home game outside Auckland before and we really can’t say enough about the way people responded, not just from around Wellington but also from the wider region as well as those members and fans who flew in from around the country.
“To have a crowd of more than 30,000 was fantastic and showed just how much support there is for the Vodafone Warriors and for the NRL. It was natural for us to come back this year and we’re really looking forward to everyone turning out in numbers again.
“While last year’s match in Wellington created history this second Capital clash is equally special, coming as it does in the club’s 20th season in existence.”
A feature of the entertainment put on by match day sponsor Vodafone will be a massive 360-degree photo taken in the stadium of the country’s largest air guitar band with plenty of prizes up for grabs. More details will be released soon.
‘CAPITAL CLASH II’ - COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
10.00am
COMMUNITY EVENT (KIDSCAN)
Naenae Intermediate School
Avalon
Lower Hutt 5011
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will visit the school to distribute raincoats to pupils.
The Vodafone Warriors are in partnership with KidsCan in the Raincoats for Kids programme. Through this programme thousands of children in low decile schools receive Vodafone Warriors-branded raincoats from KidsCan.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
10.00am
COMMUNITY EVENT (KONICA MINOLTA)
League in Libraries
St Bernadette’s School
190 Naenae Road
Naenae 5011
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will introduce pupils to the Vodafone Warriors’ League in Libraries programme run in conjunction with club sponsor Konica Minolta.
4.30pm
SPONSOR EVENT (WENDY’S)
Wendy’s
46 Main Road South
Paraparaumu
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will meet fans at a signing session at Wendy’s, Paraparaumu.
8.30pm
SPONSOR EVENT (LION RED)
Hotel Bristol
131-133 Cuba Street
Wellington
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will mix and mingle with members and fans.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
10.00am
COMMUNITY EVENT (KONICA MINOLTA)
League in Libraries
Rata Street School
73 Rata Street
Naenae 5011
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will introduce pupils to the Vodafone Warriors’ League in Libraries programme run in conjunction with club sponsor Konica Minolta.
1.30pm
AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Wellington Airport
The Vodafone Warriors (NRL players and coaching staff) are due to arrive in Wellington on NZ0419 at 1.30pm.
4.30pm
SPONSOR EVENT (VODAFONE)
Vodafone Retail Store
358 Lambton Quay
Wellington
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will be in-store to meet members and fans at a Vodafone signing session.
There will also be a Twitter ‘Where are we?’ competition during the visit.
5.30pm
SIGNING SESSION (VODAFONE)
Vodafone Retail Store
358 Lambton Quay
Wellington
Vodafone Warriors players in the NRL side to play Wests Tigers on Saturday will be in-store at Vodafone for a signing session.
7.30pm
COMMUNITY EVENT (VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED)
Wellington Rugby League preseason final
Randwick v Wainuiomata
Porirua Park
Mungavin Avenue
Porirua
Or
Bernie Wood Turf
Ascot Park
Porirua
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will be in attendance to watch the final and mix and mingle with Vodafone Warriors members and fans.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
12.30pm
GATES OPEN, WESTPAC STADIUM
12.40pm
NYC
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Wests Tigers
Players available for interviews following the match (which should finish about 2.30pm)
2.40pm
NEW SOUTH WALES CUP
Vodafone Warriors v Wests Tigers
Players available for interviews following the match (which should finish about 4.30pm)
4.00pm
Former Vodafone Warrior Ruben Wiki and Vodafone Warriors players (names to be confirmed) will be at the ground meeting Vodafone Warriors members and fans as well as visiting corporate lounges.
5.05pm
NRL
Vodafone Warriors v Wests Tigers
Post-match media conference is due to start about 15 minutes after match finishes, which should be about 7.05pm.
Players will be available for interviews following the media conference.
