Special day for rugby fan Charlotte

Rugby-mad Gisborne girl Charlotte Moore, 9, came home from the Black Ferns’ big win over Australia in Hamilton on Saturday with some special memories — and a pair of boots signed by usual Ferns’ fullback Renee Holmes. She also got to meet standout Ferns lock Charmaine Smith, another of her heroes. Picture supplied

Gisborne girl Charlotte Moore and her dad Justin were among the crowd in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon when the Black Ferns beat  Australia, and it turned out to be a very special occasion.

The nine-year-old rugby and sport-mad youngster, who especially loves the Black Ferns, took a double-sided sign to the game and it paid off big time.

Her favourite player in the Black Ferns is former Gisborne-ite, usual Ferns fullback Renee Holmes.

She also likes tall lock Charmaine Smith, who returned on Saturday from an injury absence.

“Charlotte works hard to earn money so she can help pay for the tickets herself,” her father said.

“Since the Black Ferns’ triumph at the World Cup last year she is glued to any rugby game.”

Charlotte plays for the OBM under 9s and they went undefeated in their season this year.

“When she was not at training Charlotte would be out there, practising in her own time with any of her family members,” Justin Moore said.

“After a successful rugby season with OBM she didn’t want to stop playing so signed up to play for the Mahaki Warriors rugby league team, and when not involved with training or playing for them would travel up to Ruatoria to be a ball girl for the Ngati Porou men’s and women’s Heartland teams.”

When it was announced that the Black Ferns were playing in Hamilton Charlotte decided she wanted to go to see her heroes in action.

“She worked hard to earn money to help pay for the trip.

“Charlotte and I travelled up to Hamilton on Friday and attended the Captains Run which you have to be invited to.

“She showed off the sign she had made.

“One side was for Renee Holmes, where she asked to swap boots, and on the other side she supported Charmaine Smith.

“Unfortunately Renee did not play in Saturday’s game, but Charlotte still held her sign up proudly from her seat which was right next to where the Black Ferns reserves sat.

“She was a very lucky girl.

“After the game Renee came back to Charlotte, gave her a big hug and handed over a pair of signed boots that she had worn.

“Both Renee and Charmaine thanked Charlotte for the effort she had put into her sign.

“You could not wipe the smile of Charlotte’s face.”