WARRIORS AND MITRE 10 MEGA MAKE IT A JUNIOR FINALS DAY TO REMEMBER
Every grand final day provides a bit of extra buzz in the winter air, but the 2018 Canterbury Rugby League Junior Finals Day at Canterbury Park was particularly special.
Warriors players Nathaniel Roache, Ligi Sao and Chanel Harris-Tavita, and trainer Brendan Inkster, and Mitre 10 Mega staff members Mike Andrews (Ferrymead), Hayden Smith (Hornby), Sam Bailey and Stephen Ward (Papanui) worked overtime to set up a breakfast station and dish up porridge and Milo to 350 kids within an hour.
The initiative was hatched by Canterbury Rugby League and the Warriors after a similar event planned for the morning of the Warriors-Manly NRL clash in Christchurch in June was scuppered by the weather. Mitre 10 Christchurch came on board to help make the belated breakfast a massive success.
The day was very well-received by everyone in attendance, from the kids to the parents, coaches and prominent members of the rugby league community.
“I really enjoyed the Junior Finals Day, and (everyone deserves) a big pat on the back for a job well done,” Celebration Lions men’s premiers coach Steve Fenika said.
“The footy was awesome and (it) was really good to see the senior players from all teams turn up and support the young ones.”
CRL wishes to thank the Warriors for their commitment to sending players and staff down to Christchurch at this important point of their own season, and to Nathaniel, Ligi, Chanel and Brendan for putting a smile on our junior players’ faces as well as giving them a nutritious start to their big day.
The Mitre 10 crew were also fantastic engaging with the kids and their efforts are most appreciated.
He Waka Tapu, a community partner of CRL, again provided outstanding support for the day and were one of the partners involved in the Finals Day prizegiving.
Rockcote (Resene Construction), the Canterbury Bulls’ principal sponsor, were on hand to continue their positive work within the rugby league and wider Canterbury community. Rata Foundation and Sport Canterbury also played a key role in making the day happen – both are instrumental to junior rugby league in Canterbury with the work they undertake to support the junior game.
Several Rockcote Canterbury Bulls were also on hand to present trophies and medals to the grand final winners: Sean Scott, Matt Sauni, Rulon Nutira, Toi Sepuloni and coach Andrew Auimatagi.
CRL JUNIOR GRAND FINAL RESULTS
9 Years: Riccarton 12 d Celebration Purple 6
10 Years: Celebration 12 d Northern 6
12 Years: Hornby Black 14 d Halswell 10
14 Years: Halswell 26 d Linwood 24
16 Years: Linwood 26 d Halswell 6
