This weekend's New Zealand Rugby League Community Roots Camp in Whangarei is all about winning "hearts and minds" over to the game.
Coinciding with the Vodafone Warriors pre-NRL season match against Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears at Toll Stadium on Saturday night, the Community Roots Camp will showcase the fun ofplaying rugby league to Northland's existing players, and those wanting to play, aged 5 to 17.
Former Warrior and Kiwi, Ruben Wiki will be running Saturday's event at Otaika Sports Ground.
Current high performance manager Wiki will be helped out by some of the Warriors not named to play in Saturday's game and they will be promoting the sport among the province's future rugby league stars and fans.
Rugby League's Northern Zone general manager Rob Wakelin said the camp was part of the NZRL's staggered approach to winning over the public to supporting and playing the game.
"It's a taster really - there will be loads of giveaways - the first 400 participants to register on the day will receive a special Warriors rugby league pack. There are also fun skills and activities to take part in, and there is the chance to play in the biggest Backyard Rugby League tournament Northland has ever seen," Wakelin said.
The camp will also address some parental perceptions about league - namely, that it is a rough game.
"But league is actually one of the safest games children can play because of all the modified rules in place ... and holding this sort of camp will highlight this," the general manager continued.
The opportunity to see the World Cup along with the Four Nations Trophy will be on offer at the camp.
Following the Roots Camp, another NZRL camp - the Hearts Camp - will be held in July.
The Hearts Camp is aimed at teenagers who want to make a career in rugby league.
- Saturday's Roots Camp starts at 10.30am and will conclude at 2.30pm, in time for participants to travel to Toll Stadium for the kick off of the match between the 2010 Under-20 Toyota Cup championship winning side the Vodafone Junior Warriors and the 2010 Fox Memorial premiers, the Otahuhu Leopards at 3pm.
It will be followed by the pre-NRL season clash between the Vodafone Warriors and the Burleigh Bears, at 5pm.
