Mini Cup aims to help orphanage

Soccer players (from left) Lance Goosen, Enver de Beer, Lyle Herbert, Ray Eeson, Andre Joseph and Rowen Dolphin. Photo / Dean Purcell

Immigrant Stanton Dunn says he felt like kicking himself when it was announced that his home country, South Africa, was to host the soccer World Cup this year, because he knew he would be in New Zealand.

But the 24-year-old, who moved here seven years ago, reckoned if he couldn't be at the World Cup in South Africa, he would bring the World Cup to Auckland.

This Sunday, Mr Dunn and his friends are staging a "Mini World Cup Soccer Spectacular", which will pit teams representing the 32 countries playing in the finals in a festival atmosphere, complete with African dancers, bands and food stalls.

It will be held at the Howick Primary School, where the four playing fields will be named after the four host cities - Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria - for the World Cup.

"We want to give everyone attending the feeling that they are celebrating the World Cup in Africa," said Mr Dunn, a marketing co-ordinator with Fisher & Paykel.

"With the All Whites qualifying for the World Cup, this year's event will mean a lot to New Zealanders and I think this will be a fitting build-up to the finals."

Mr Dunn, who is president of the charity group Buyisa, will donate proceeds from the event to the St Monica's Children's Home, in Durban, his hometown.

He said the orphanage was in danger of closing and was in desperate need for funds.

Mr Dunn said the All Whites and key representatives from New Zealand Soccer had been invited to Sunday's tournament.

Soccer fan Jason Park, 21, an international student from South Korea, says he will be heading to Howick this weekend with a group of friends who play the Korean drums.

"We were at the games when South Korea hosted the World Cup finals in 2006, and we can show the South Africans what a real soccer finals atmosphere feels like."

Mr Park said he was glad to be in New Zealand, because the All Whites' qualification meant he had two teams to support this time.

Mini World Cup Finals

* What: 32 football teams representing the 32 countries in the Fifa World Cup.

* When: This Sunday from 9am.

* Where: Howick Primary School.

* South African food and entertainment. Proceeds to St Monica's Children's Home in Durban, South Africa.