Otahuhu Primary School principal Jason Swann thought he’d be spending the weekend at home preparing for the new term starting on Monday – until he received a shock phone call from the Vodafone Warriors.
It left the local rugby league coach “completely gobsmacked” as he listened to an offer he could scarcely believe, one he just had to take up.
And by this morning it had resulted in him joining the Vodafone Warriors’ Intrust Super Premiership team at Auckland International Airport en route to Canberra via Sydney for tomorrow’s clash against the Mounties at GIO Stadium (12.40pm kick-off local time; 2.40pm NZT).
It came about through an initiative from Vodafone Warriors great and ISP coach Stacey Jones.
He wanted to reach out to Auckland’s grass roots rugby league community with an offer for a coach or trainer to experience the weekend around the team and the coaching staff on the trip to Canberra.
Swann's involvement came about after the Vodafone Warriors consulted with the Auckland Rugby League seeking a recommendation for a lower grade coach or trainer to benefit from the experience.
Swann, who coaches at the Ellerslie Eagles, has been appointed Auckland’s U/14-15 restricted White Regional representative team this year.
Now he's on a weekend he won't forget mixing with Jones, his coaches and the players.
