On the same weekend Nelson’s own Harry Inch made his One New Zealand Warriors debut in Napier, the club’s pathways team was focusing on players of the future in his hometown at his old school Nelson College.
And helping with the session was one of the school’s most illustrious alumni in rugby league great Simon Mannering.
Run in conjunction with Southern Zone Rugby League, the event brought together the best under-14 and under-15 players in the Tasman region for a development session and a concept game.
It was the first time the One New Zealand Warriors had taken their regional pathways programme to the Nelson/Tasman area although it was the club's second visit in less than three months to the rugby union stronghold.
The first was in late November when the Warriors launched the trailblazing Harvey Norman Heartland Female Athlete camp involving 20 elite girls aged between 15 and 18.
Setting foot on the grounds would have been unimaginable in another era but attitudes have well and truly softened since those days.
“The session with the young boys was a huge success,” said One New Zealand Warriors recruitment and pathways strategy manager Liam Turner.
“Our mission is to promote the One New Zealand Warriors around the country and to present rugby league as exciting sporting alternative to athletes in all parts of the country.
“It was great for the kids having Simon there helping with drills and the concept game.”
Turner said the goal was to develop and identify some of the best talent in Tasman, which may lead to further opportunities with the Warriors’ pathways programme.
