The One New Zealand Warriors have today launched a virtual stadium to support TEAM Connect USA, an upcoming handcycling journey of almost 3000 miles (4800km) across the United States to raise funds for spinal cord injury (SCI) research.
Fans can purchase virtual seats starting at $10 for the club’s clash against the Newcastle Knights on August 30 with proceeds going directly to world-class SCI research through CatWalk Trust.
Led by C6/C7 tetraplegic Dame Catriona “Cat” Williams, one of New Zealand’s most inspiring figures and the founder of CatWalk Trust, TEAM Connect USA endeavors to unite the world’s brightest minds to solve spinal cord injury.
“Spinal cord injury is a problem no one person, club, or country can solve alone but, together, real progress is possible,” she said.
“This virtual stadium is one expression of that idea: a stadium full of individual seats becoming one collective act, and a rivalry on the field becoming a shared cause of it.”
The importance of helping to advance spinal cord injury research is especially poignant for the One New Zealand Warriors, whose former head coach Daniel Anderson suffered a catastrophic spinal injury in December 2022.
“Daniel holds a integral place in our club’s history as the first coach to take the Warriors to the NRL grand final in 2002. What he achieved is a big part of the success of the organisation today,” said club CEO Cameron George.
“Like Daniel, Dame Cat’s passion and courageous leadership to unite world experts around the treatment and therapy for spinal cord injury is truly inspirational.
“We’re proud to support her and the TEAM Connect USA campaign and encourage all Warriors fans to buy seats in the virtual stadium and contribute to this incredible goal.”
More about TEAM Connect USA:
The epic adventure begins in Carlsbad, California on December 30, 2026, when Dame Cat will start handcycling east. The route continues through nine states, finishing in Jacksonville, Florida on March 7, 2027. Friends will join for portions of the journey, with Dame Cat completing the route in its entirety. She previously conquered the New York City marathon and climbed to Everest Base Camp with groups of friends, but this – at more than twice a marathon per day – will be her most challenging handcycling feat yet.
Supporters can also contribute to the cause by visiting the TEAM Connect USA website, where promotional benefits are available to individuals and businesses contributing $1,000 NZD or more. Should an international donor require tax-deductible status, or wish to donate to SCI research in their own country, this is also possible.
