Vodafone Warriors staff are playing a key hand in Taiohi Tū Rangatira, a leadership and rugby league development camp, being run in Tokoroa this weekend.
Vodafone Warriors pathways and development coach Tony Iro is joined by other football staff members Stacey Jones, Moehewa Armstrong and Junior Mautairi along with Warriors NRLW hooker Kanyon Paul.
Also involved is Bay of Plenty CoachForce rugby league development officer Tony Lajpold along with New Zealand Rugby League staff.
Driving the event is Tātai Ora Charitable Trust CEO Sash Stosic.
“The camp is being delivered in partnership between the Bay of Plenty and Coastline District Rugby Leagues as part of a five-year Waiariki Rugby League Partnership (2021-2025) to strengthen the game and pathways from the grassroots to representative level,” said Stosic.
“Tātai Ora is leading the overall management and delivery of the camp with particular emphasis on the development of youth leadership to support our players’ personal growth both on and off the field; hence the name, Taiohi Tū Rangatira.”
A highlight of the weekend is the inclusion of both boys and girls in the two groups rangitahi (14-17 years old) and tamariki (11-13 years old).
All players are staying at Papa o Te Aroha marae in Tokoroa, across the road from Memorial Park.
As part of the camp, two senior men’s games will be played on the Oval (main field) at Memorial Park tomorrow (Saturday), the Pacific Sharks facing the Mangakino Hawks at 1.00pm and the Forestland Falcons taking on Pikiao Warriors at 2.30pm.
Stosic said a special thrill was having Armstrong involved with the Vodafone Warriors.
“Moehewa came through the Wai-Coa-Bay development camp system when I was working for Upper Central Zone Rugby League,” he said.
“He is a living example of someone who has applied himself through the pathways on offer and made his own success through sheer commitment to the game.”
