June 05, 2024
Whole whānau drawn in the Waipareira league tourney
Waipareira chair Ray Hall says the success of its King’s Birthday weekend rugby league tournament means it is likely to hold it again.
About 1000 players in a range of age groups turned out for the tournament at the Avondale race course.
He says out of town tournaments can be expensive for whānau, and the trust also wanted to get the wider whānau involved.
“It’s seen as an individual code or sport but for us it’s more than that. It’s about getting the mums out, the grandparents out participating on the sideline, coaching, doing voluntary work but also this one we’re running, to get a health check while you’re there as well, so we want to bring in the whole package to make it completely inclusive while we’re supporting the potential of these kids,” Mr Hall says.
While other tournaments have become scouting grounds for NRL clubs, there can be draw-backs in being scouted early and lured over to Australia without enough whānau support.