The Vodafone Warriors have united with other Auckland sporting franchises in backing the ‘World’s Biggest Boot Camp’ at Eden Park later this month.
Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck along with club greats Ruben Wiki and Monty Betham have all voiced their support for an event which aims to encourage healthy living and highlight the obesity epidemic afflicting many of New Zealand’s communities.
In a show of cross-code unity, the Vodafone Warriors have joined the Blues (rugby union), SKYCITY Breakers (basketball), Aces (cricket), Tuatara (baseball) and Mystics and Stars (netball) in backing the cause.
Hosted by former celebrity boxer turned health campaigner David ‘Brown Buttabean’ Letele, the ‘World’s Biggest Boot Camp’ is calling on Aucklanders to head to Eden Park on Sunday, February 24 to break the world record for the most people simultaneously performing a squat.
The record is 2812, set by Szkola Wychowania Fizycznego I Sportu UAM – the department of physical education and sport at Poland’s Poznan University – on May 10, 2017.
Tuivasa-Sheck, the 2018 NRL Dally M player of the year, has urged Aucklanders to turn up in huge numbers.
As a club we are right behind David Letele and everyone who is making this happen
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Vodafone Warriors captain
“As a club we are right behind David Letele and everyone who is making this happen,” he said.
“It is a great idea and should be heaps of fun. It’s all about getting people more active and staying healthy so it would be awesome to see a huge turnout there.”
Vodafone Warriors trainer and former Kiwi captain Wiki is in another league leading the way in the fitness and well-being sector.
“I have followed Dave for a while now and what his journey has entailed from rock bottom to one of the most influential people in our community,” he said.
What he has done for our everyday people has been amazing
Ruben Wiki Vodafone Warriors trainer
“What he has done for our everyday people has been amazing, whether it be advice on health and well-being, nutritional tips and someone to listen to. The initiative he is putting forward is amazing and I support this awesome concept.”
Like Wiki, Betham is the epitome of fitness and no stranger to boot camps. They’re his everyday fare.
“The most impressive thing about Dave is his consistency,” he said.
“He stays consistent in himself and provides a truly impressive example for others. The ‘World’s Biggest Boot Camp’ is a great way for Dave to reach people who will benefit from hearing his inspiring and uplifting message.”
Letele said he was overwhelmed by the united support of Auckland’s sports teams.
“This is just incredible,” he said.
“To have the backing of all these sporting legends and Auckland’s wider sporting community is both very encouraging and very humbling.
“The ‘World’s Biggest Boot Camp’ is going to be epic. It’s going to be great fun and it is going to help make a real difference to a whole bunch of people struggling with their health due to the effects of obesity. For many, it will be quite literally the first step toward a healthier, happier life.”
- A non-profit event delivered by the Just Move Charitable Trust, the ‘World’s Biggest Bootcamp’ is supported by Nutribullet, SKYCITY, thl, DFM and Eden Park.
About David Letele
David Letele is living, breathing proof that obesity can be overcome – and an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis.
Once weighing in at 210 kilograms, Letele now weighs less than half of that. He achieved his transformation purely through hard work and dedication to his goal of turning his life around. He now works tirelessly to motivate others dealing with the challenges of obesity. His private Facebook group has over 11,000 members, many of whom have achieved life-changing levels of weight loss and improved cardiovascular fitness.
David is currently working with social service providers and funders across Auckland to deliver his highly effective pilot programme to improve the health outcomes for morbidly obese people in South Auckland.
BBM’s leadership team deliver free bootcamps across Auckland almost every day of the week, providing inspiration and support to thousands of Kiwis.
WORLD’S BIGGEST BOOT CAMP
Where: Eden Park
When: Sunday, February 24 (gates open at 10.00am for an 11.00am start)
What: A free ‘boot camp’ exercise set featuring a world record attempt for most people performing a simultaneous frog squat.
How to be a part of it: Visit www.facebook.com/brownbuttabean/ click on the event page and confirm your attendance or simply turn up on the day. It’s as easy as that.
