One New Zealand Warriors players, coaches and staff are out in numbers for the Warriors Community Foundation's three-day Road to Regions tour this week.
Collaborating with the club, NRL Community and the Wright Family Foundation, the WCF is hitting Whangarei, Auckland and Tauranga with a campaign aimed at fostering connection and support within communities through rugby league and charitable initiatives.
The entire club including One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster, players and staff will participate in various activities.
"The NRL Road to Regions and Warriors Community Foundation tour is an extraordinary opportunity for us to connect with communities across the North Island simultaneously,” said WFC CEO Lincoln Jefferson.
“With the support of NRL Community and the Wright Family Foundation, this event represents the Warriors’ commitment to our communities and to making a positive difference wherever we go.
“We're excited to make this an annual event, expanding to other regions across New Zealand so we can reach more communities each year and continue to grow the game of rugby league. This will include the South Island in 2025."
In Whangarei, the programme will kick off with an invitation-only question and answer session, a player signing session and a Have-a-Go Day with local schools to bring the community together in a celebration of the great game of rugby league.
The day will offer fans a unique chance to meet the team and experience the One New Zealand Warriors’ values of inclusivity, resilience and teamwork. Rugby League Northland will support the activations.
In Auckland, One New Zealand Warriors players and staff will join vital community partners to support and uplift those in need. The team will visit Ronald McDonald House, Auckland City Mission, Kidz First Hospital, Starship Hospital, John Walker’s Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation and the Halberg Foundation’s Making Waves Disability Day. Additionally, Warriors representatives will participate in Sir Keith Hay Park School’s special summer sports day and assist the New Zealand Food Network to address food security in the community while there will also be school visits to the North Shore and South Auckland.
In Tauranga, One New Zealand Warriors and WCF staff will visit six schools, engaging with students through workshops that emphasise wellbeing, resilience and the importance of teamwork. The Tauranga programme aims to inspire young people with life skills and the spirit of rugby league.
Tour highlights in a nutshell:
Whangarei (November 13-15)
- Q&A session with Andrew Webster, player signing, and Have a Go Day with local schools.
- Players and coaching staff involved: Andrew Webster, Dylan Walker, Kayliss Fatialofa, Leka Halasima, Adam Pompey, Taine Tuaupiki, Tohu Harris, Freddy Lussick, Kalani Going, Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Auckland (November 13-15)
- Visits to Ronald McDonald House, Auckland City Mission, Kidz First Hospital, Starship Hospital, John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation and Halberg Foundation’s Making Waves Disability Day.
- Participation in Sir Keith Hay Park School’s special summer sports day.
- Support for New Zealand Food Network’s community initiatives.
- Players involved: Kurt Capewell, Bunty Afoa, Demitric Vaimauga, Patrick Moimoi, Luke Hanson, Laishon Albert-Jones.
Tauranga (November 13-15)
- School visits featuring interactive sessions on mental wellbeing, teamwork and the positive values of rugby league and physical wellbeing.
- Players and football staff involved: Richard Agar, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Luke Metcalf, Sam Healey, Edward Kosi, Zyon Maiu’u, Jacob Laban, Ali Leiataua, Sio Kali.
