One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster and senior players will head a delegation to Rotorua while two other groups of staff and players will visit locations in Auckland in a Warriors Community Foundation-led blitz tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.
The initiative follows the foundation’s collaborative programme last year when football staff and players broke from preseason training to travel to Whangarei and Tauranga as well as visiting a range or schools and organisations in Auckland.
“Being able to involve the NRL football staff and players is a terrific way for us to connect with communities in Rotorua and Auckland this week,” said Warriors Community Foundation CEO Lincoln Jefferson.
“Having Andrew and some of the club’s high-profile players in Rotorua will be a huge boost for the area.”
The Rotorua contingent includes Webster, assistant coach Stacey Jones – fresh from guiding the Kiwis to Pacific Championships glory – as well as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Wayde Egan, Jacob Laban and new signings Alofi Khan-Pereira, Morgan Gannon and Haizyn Mellars.
Following a pōwhiri tomorrow the first commitment will be a fund raising event while day two starts with early morning field and gym sessions; the field session starting at 6.45am at Rotorua International Stadium is open to the public.
At 10.30am the players and staff will run games and drills at a tamariki event at Rotorua International Stadium followed by another similar event for rangitahi after lunch. Later the whole group will visit Rotorua Hospital to meet and greet patients there.
Two groups will circulate in Auckland making visits to various organisations and charities including Kidz First Children’s Hospital.
Tour highlights in a nutshell:
Rotorua (November 20-21)
Thursday, November 20
Pōwhiri
'Behind the jersey: A night to connect with the One New Zealand Warriors' fund-raising event
Friday, November 21
Open training session, Rotorua International Stadium
Tamariki event, Rotorua International Stadium
Rangitahi event, Rotorua International Stadium
Rotorua Hospital visit
Players and coaching staff involved: Andrew Webster, Stacey Jones, Balin Cupples, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Wayde Egan, Alofi Khan-Pereira, Jacob Laban, Morgan Gannon, Haizyn Mellars, Caelys Putoko, Bishop Neal, Rodney Vea, Daeon Amituanai.
Auckland #1 (November 20-21)
Thursday, November 20
Visits to Pigeon Mount Primary School, Friendship House, Vector Wero Whitewater Park followed by evening function at Woodside
Friday, November 21
Visits to Kidz First Children’s Hospital, Auckland City Mission, One New Zealand
Players and coaching staff involved: David Tangata-Toa, Mitchell Barnett, Rocco Berry, Geronimo Doyle, Jaydee Auloa, Nganatatafu Vake, Jack Thompson, Connor Bowden, Brandon Norris, Harry Inch.
Auckland #2 (November 20-21)
Thursday, November 20
Visits to BLENNZ, Hāpai Tūhono, Vector Wero Whitewater Park followed by evening function at Woodside
Friday, November 21
Visits to Kura Cares Charity, Will & Able and Bluelight
Players and football staff involved: Richard Agar, Slade Griffin, Luke Metcalf, Jye Linnane, Dezman Laban, Ezekiel Davidson, Kahu Capper, Lennox Tuiloma, Braelen Marsh, Junior Sikuvea, Jeremiah Lemana.
