Among those supporting the NZ Warriors age group trials confirmed for Gisborne's Rugby Park on August 2 are Deni Naydenova (Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union operations manager), Luke Fox (event management support), Stefan Pishief (Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti chief executive), Brad Kiwara (Ngāti Porou Rugby League rangatahi lead) and Ken Gifford (event management support).
Among those supporting the NZ Warriors age group trials confirmed for Gisborne's Rugby Park on August 2 are Deni Naydenova (Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union operations manager), Luke Fox (event management support), Stefan Pishief (Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti chief executive), Brad Kiwara (Ngāti Porou Rugby League rangatahi lead) and Ken Gifford (event management support).
The home of Poverty Bay rugby could be the breeding ground of future New Zealand rugby league stars.
In what has been described as “a landmark show of regional collaboration”, the New Zealand Warriors are to host boys’ and girls’ trials at Gisborne’s Rugby Park in August.
Organisers expect itto attract more than 100 aspiring young players from throughout Tairāwhiti and surrounding areas.
In a release, organisers said: “The event (on Sunday, August 2) has been built around a shared vision of providing positive opportunities for rangatahi across Te Tairāwhiti, while strengthening collaboration between sporting organisations, schools, community groups and development pathways.”
Players selected from the trial process will have opportunities to progress into NZ Warriors Academy concept programmes and representative pathway fixtures against other Warriors-affiliated regions.
NZ Warriors academy and pathways staff will attend the trials, “providing local players with direct exposure to elite development systems without needing to leave the region”.
The initiative is being supported by a range of sporting and community stakeholders: NZ Warriors; Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union; Tairāwhiti Rugby League; Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti; Ngāti Porou Rugby League; and Caliber Sports Group.
NZ Warriors academy coach and former Kiwis international Tony Iro said it was “a fantastic community-led initiative” the Warriors were “right behind”.
New Zealand Warriors players in front of a packed Rugby Park grandstand for their New South Wales Cup clash with Cronulla Sharks on June 14, 2014. Rugby Park is the venue for Warriors boys' and girls' league trials in August. Photo / Paul Rickard
Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti chief executive Stefan Pishief said with so much talent in the region, it was great they would get to showcase their skills in front of selectors.
“We know the community is going to embrace this exciting and inspirational event and we encourage everyone to come on down.”
Poverty Bay Rugby Union chief executive Florian Bub said the union was“excited about the collaboration and utilising Rugby Park for our whole community”.
“Our vision is to create a multi-sports field hub that allows our community to be active, come together and enjoy Rugby Park for generations to come.”
Justin Smallshaw, the director of talent agency Caliber Sports Group, said they were “passionate about supporting regional athletes and their whānau by helping create genuine pathways into elite rugby and rugby league systems”.
“That support goes beyond just football. We assist with mentoring, career guidance, recruitment opportunities, education connections, wellbeing support and helping players understand what it takes to succeed both on and off the field.”
The trials are a continuation of the momentum built from Gisborne Boys’ High School’s rugby league programme and several local players progressing to NZ Warriors pathways and representative opportunities.
Luke Fox, the GBHS league team assistant coach and part of the trials event management support alongside Ken Gifford, said: “Having the NZ Warriors supporting Te Tairāwhiti and investing in our young athletes is incredibly exciting for the region.
“We’d encourage the public to come down and enjoy the day. There’ll be great footy, music, food stalls and activities for the kids, making it a real community celebration.”
Tairāwhiti Rugby League Grassroots lead Viane Tuala said the trials would follow a junior league tournament at Barry Park the day before. It was going to be a weekend full of fast-paced rugby league and a great opportunity for the community to support what could be some of the sport’s future stars.
