New Zealand’s newest rugby league event is set to make its debut in Whakatāne in September, and organiser Tyrone Campbell says it is shaping up to be a major event on the youth sporting calendar.
Mr Campbell, the Director of the Global Games event company, says the Festival will see more than 40 junior rugby league teams from across the country converge on the Eastern Bay from 16-18 September 2016, and expects 3500-4000 people to visit Whakatāne during that time.
Global Games has organised some of New Zealand's largest junior sporting events in locations such as Queenstown, Taupō and Auckland, and has also hosted over 1000 sports teams from across the country and as far afield as France and South Africa.
He says this new event will have a very Kiwi flavour. "The Festival will be unique in that all teams will be hosted on local marae and will be introduced to various aspects of Māori culture during their stay. William Stewart of Whakatāne-based marketing agency Mauriora Marketing and PR is helping to implement this aspect of the event, so the teams can expect a warm and very personal immersion into local Māori culture. The connection between the event and local culture is being celebrated in all aspects of the tournament, with local artist and carver Takutaimoana Harawira being commissioned to develop the festival logo and carve the trophies.
"The response from the rugby league community has been phenomenal," Mr Campbell says. "About 90% of grass roots sports kids never get the chance to play in events such as this, so this is opening the door to the young players that will be the heart and soul of sports clubs across the country for a generation to come. In addition to the competition itself, there will be coaching clinics from the New Zealand Rugby League and the NZ Warriors and we are hoping that local star player Benji Marshall will also be a part of the event."
Jacob Cameron, Community Manager of New Zealand Rugby League, says the organisation is very excited about the Festival. "This is something NZRL is very keen to support. We'll be running workshops over the weekend, and we have built the event into our legacy plan for the upcoming World Cup. We see this as an annual, ongoing event and are looking forward to being a part of it."
The Festival is also expected to have a positive economic impact and Whakatane District Council Events and Tourism Advisor Nicola Burgess says the timing of the event is perfect. "We currently have a very busy summer events schedule and this September Festival will help to expand our 'shoulder period' and get more visitors to the District outside of the peak season. Though many of the players will be staying on local marae, their parents and supporters will be using our local accommodation and hospitality providers, so we can expect an excellent flow-on effect, similar to that generated by events like the Surf Life Saving Nationals."