SirSir PeterPeter Leitch’sLeitch’s AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 06 FEB 2014 Newsletter #04 On our Way to Oklahoma! he “On our way to Oklahoma” Junior the campaign is self funded. Being part of a supportive Marcelle Parkes (Wellington), Pallas Potter, Marjorie Women’s 2015 World Championships family, club, association and community is important to Cashell, Regan Campbell-Tapa, Aizaya Anderson, campaign kicks off this week as Junior White assist with the fi nancial burden of player levies for tours Taylah MacDonald, Emily Rauhihi (Hutt Valley), Brooke TSox head coach Kevin Gettins names his and camps. Eden, Courtney Gettins, Emma Houkamau, Ashlyn 2014 Squad. The Junior White Sox fi nished 4th at The Junior White Sox 2014 programme includes Obers (Hawkes Bay), Pania Monk, Aria Tawha, Kanyon the 2013 World Championships in Brampton, Canada training camps as well as two key tours. Teams will be Paul (Waikato), Shinae Hearne, Lauren Tapp, Tegan improving on its 5th ranking. Coach Gettins understands selected to attend the Canadian Fastpitch Futures Gold Irvine (Australia), Rhylie Makawe, Erika Cooper (USA) the signifi cance of that achievement, and acknowledges Championships from 14 – 20 July. This tournament is the diffi culty in preparing a new team to take on the open to junior international teams and Gold Elite under New Zealand Development Girls world’s best. “It’s tough to make the top 4, staying there 18 teams from Canada and the USA. “The standard of Team or improving our position in 2015 is a huge challenge”, play is at a World’s level and will seriously test the team, After discussions with National Team Management Coach Gettins states, “We need to develop players at and importantly will show the players the level they need Softball New Zealand has modifi ed its National Teams an international level, which is a huge step up from the to get to”, states Coach Gettins. The second tour is linked program to allow Development teams of both genders playing level in New Zealand”. to the junior development program by attending the to travel annually to the Friendship Games. Therefore a International Friendship Series from 30 June – 4 July in New Zealand Girls Development Team will travel to the The squad is a mix of players who are in the frame for Sydney. Friendship Games in Sydney this June under the guidance 2015 World Championships and also some younger of Head Coach Carl Tuinenga. development players for the 2017 World Championships. 2014 Junior White Sox Squad By selecting the squad Coach Gettins is sending a clear Catelyn Davidson, Tessa Metuatini, Bohemian Quinn, The decision is an exciting one providing further message that each player has the potential to be in the Amy Begg, Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury), Brooke opportunities for athletes of this age group to participate World Championships team, but that being in the fi nal 17 Stilwell, Loran Parker, Nik-Cole Paea, Terapii Tourangi, and compete on the international pathway. will mean much preparation, training and work, “Softball Makayla Mauve, Jaimee Ann Dick, Zoe Tolhopf, has to be the number one priority in a players life, it takes Alison Mohi, Deavan Tavalu, Tyla Morrison, Ai’eesha Softball New Zealand will be calling for applications shortly commitment and hard work to be a elite international Setafano (Auckland), Taylor Siolo, Chelsea Brunner, for Team Manager and Assistant Coach to accompany athlete”. Another signifi cant challenge for players is that Kayla Rangiawha, Wanaka Noanoa, Mereana Makea, Carl on their tour of Australia. Get along to North Harbour Stadium THIS SUNDAY to watch the Vodafone Warriors take on the Gold Coast Titans in the fi rst pre-season trial! It’s a great afternoon out for the whole family. THIS SUNDAY! There will be a kids’ zone with games, bouncy castles, facing painting and prizes. Tickets are on sale from Ticketek* now. Curtain raiser at 2.00pm – Junior Warriors v Pt Chevalier Titans and main event kicks off at 4.00pm. And if you are coming along to the game... make sure you show your Mighty Vodafone Warriors spirit by decking out in all your gear – there’s a signed Warriors jersey, Nines tickets and a 50” TV or a 7” tablet (Good On Ya, DTR!) up for grabs for the best dressed fan. Visit www.stadium.co.nz for stadium information. Go the Warriors! Kids from $8.00; Adults from $18.00 *Ticketek Booking Fee applies Bring on the Sevens ’m really excited. With the break behind us it is my Ridge, Mark Minichello, Paul Carter, Caleb Binge, Halbergs then the Nines trip to Wellington for the Sevens I’m looking forward Matthew White, Mark Ioane, Cody nelson, Thomas Thursday I am off to the Halberg Awrds before I gear up to. I tell my mates I’m going and they look at me like Kingston, Bradley Tighe, Siuatonga Likiliki, Jamie for the Nines, which start for me on Friday at a public II’ve gone mad, but I love all sports. Dowling and Sam Irving. welcome for all the teams. Then that night I am MC for a Sure league is my passion but I have been involved with function with about 300 Aussies who have come over for all sorts of codes, so I’m looking forward to it, and in Stacey’s back! the event, so that should be a ripper. particular all the zany costumes the fans turn up in. I admit Crikey dick, or more correctly crikey Dick Smith. League The welcome event is open to all if you feel like joining in. I am not into it myself, but I love seeing the fans enjoy greats Andrew Johns and our old mate the Little General All 16 NRL clubs will be represented at Aotea Square from themselves. Stacey Jones are coming out of retirement for charity at 12.15pm. It will be the fi rst time ever in New Zealand that the inaugural 2014 NRL Auckland Nines. you’ll be able to witness all 16 clubs and their players in North Harbour here I come Johns and Jones will line up to raise funds for The Rising the one venue at the one time. The free event will include I will be back on the Sunday though, because I will be Foundation, in the fi rst Beko Media Stars touch a lot of entertainment, words from the players and you will across the bridge at North Harbour Stadium to see the football match between New Zealand and Australia before get to see me on stage! Vodafone Warriors take on the Gold Coast Titans. It the fi nal at Eden Park on Sunday, February 16. For more information on this free event - visit will be the boys fi rst hit out, and as they say, you can train The nine-a-side touch game will see a group of former as long and as hard as you like, but there is no substitute players now working in the media being joined by print, https://www.facebook.com/ And don;t forget, our is: for game time. radio and TV reporters. confi rmed Nines squad Jayson Bukuya, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Glen The curtainraiser is at 2pm, when the Vodafone Junior You’d have to think there wouldn’t be too many charity Fisiiahi, David Fusitua, Charlie Gubb, Konrad Warriors take on Pt Chev, with the main game scheduled games played in front of 46,000, and I reckon two nine Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Shaun Johnson, for 4pm. minute halves might have a few people blowing by the Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Tuimoala All but three of the 16 players named in the Vodafone end. Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi, Dominique Warriors’ Nines squad will feature in the trial. Johns is in a pretty handy Aussie side that includes former Peyroux, Sam Tomkins, Carlos Tuimavave. “We have a lot of football in the space of eight days, with test players Gorden Tallis and Danny Buderus, and the trials against the Titans and Wigan, as well as the ex-premiership winners Brett Finch and Steve Turner. It’s all on – so much so that I have even put the Nines, so it’s a bit of a jigsaw putting our sides together,” New Zealand has former Kiwi internationals Richie kayak away! coach Matt Elliott says Barnett, Monty Betham and Wairangi Koopu. “For this trial we are looking to use most of our Nines Beko is a home appliance brand, and they will donate Clash of the Warriors players, some NYC players and two players from our NSW $2000 to The Rising Foundation for each try scored, at Waikato Stadium Cup group. It’s a chance for a whole range of players to with the aim of trying to raise $20,000. Don’t forget that a road trip is on the cards for us all when show what they can do.” The Rising Foundation was established by a group of the Vodafone Warriors take on the Wigan Warriors former south Auckland children to assist at-risk-youths from Britain’s Super League on February 12 at Waikato Vodafone Warriors trial squad: The squad for to develop their full potential. Bulldogs CEO Raelene Stadium. the trial is: Jordan Baldwinson, Ray Faitala-Mariner, Castle is on the board. It will be a little piece of history, because when do you get Glen Fisiiahi, David Fusitua, Charlie Gubb, New Zealand: Stacey Jones, Sam Ackerman, the chance to see the best England has to offer? Konrad Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Solomone Richie Barnett, Jenny May Coffi n, Monty Betham, It’s a 7.35pm kick-off so make sure you leave yourself Kata, Ngani Laumape, Mason Lino, Metia Lisati, Wairangi Koopu, Karl Te Nana, Nickson Clark, Sam plenty of time for the trip, given the traffi c on our Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Wallace, James McConie, Bryce Casey, Dominic motorways.