Rotorua Boys' High School students at the filming of the NZ Rugby campaign. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Rotorua Boys' High School students at the filming of the NZ Rugby campaign. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Rotorua Boys' High School students have taken part in the filming of a campaign that hopes to rally New Zealand during the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.
A film crew from Auckland-based company, Commsport Marketing, was in town today shooting a NZ Rugby campaign that has taken them around the country over the past 10 days.
Director and founder of Commsport, John Foley, said the morning was "unbelievable".
"We are also meeting with Lizzie Marvelly and [former All Black] Glen Osborne."
While details are being kept under wraps until the launch next month, Mr Foley said the nature of the campaign meant Rotorua would have a big part to play.
Rotorua Boys' High School director of Maori Performing Arts Jamus Webster said the boys gained experience of knowing how to conduct themselves around a camera.
Rotorua Boys' High School students at the filming of the NZ Rugby campaign. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
With mere weeks to go before the Lions tour begins on June 3 in Whangarei, other local schools are starting to get excited.
Briar Stewart, president of the Rotorua Principals' Association, said she knew schools were looking forward to what would be a "major event".
"[The tour] is a neat example to show the children to see people getting behind the All Blacks, and understanding the Lions' history...it's lovely in a place like Rotorua where everyone has got their heart in it."
NZ Rugby has released a Lions teaching resource that was sent to 2400 schools across the country focusing on students in Years 1 to 8. The resources include workbooks, activity sheets and a rugby ball to get the children outside and active.
Mrs Stewart, who is principal of Rotokawa School, said her school would definitely be using the resources provided, and those able to be downloaded.
Rotorua Lakes Council major events co-ordinator, Martin Croft, said the tour would be a great opportunity for young people in Rotorua to experience the history, the international connections and the excitement of hosting the Lions and their fans who travel across the globe to watch the tour.
Mr Croft said the NZ Maori Rugby history exhibition Tima Tangata will be open at the Energy Events Centre for 10 days from June 14, and he encouraged schools to make the trip to learn about the history of the Maori All Blacks.
The annual Bay of Plenty wide Rippa Rugby tournament hosted by Bay of Plenty Rugby and Sport Bay of Plenty will be shifted to take place at Ray Board Park they day before the NZ Maori versus Lions game at the Rotorua International Stadium on June 17.
"About 24 schools from across the Bay of Plenty will take part so rugby fans, both local and from abroad, will get a chance to see the up and coming future players of New Zealand rugby," Mr Croft said.
