Team-mates rally around injured player
Team-mates of an injured Feilding High School rugby player are rallying to raise money for his family.
Feilding third XV player Jacob Fifita-tovo was injured in a tackle during a game against Napier Boys’ High School in Feilding in July, and was taken by helicopter to Christchurch’s Burwood Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment in the spinal unit. His close-knit teammates have organised a hangi fundraiser today to help Jacob’s family with the costs of being in Christchurch with him.
Third XV coach Leigh Martin said they had a lot of support for the hangi, with people donating food and offering to help cook.
More than 400 hangi tickets have been sold.
‘‘The boys in that team have been right through it. They’ve been like a family, been like brothers,’’ Martin said.
‘‘They’re a really cool bunch of kids and an awesome bunch of kids to coach.’’
It was a good thing to do as a team now the season had finished, Martin said.
‘‘When we decided to do this, the amount of people that contacted us saying they would like to help with food or donations and stuff – Feilding has really got behind Jacob.’’
Martin said the team had been devastated by the injury because they were all so close, including Martin’s son Jake, who is friends with Jacob and has gone to visit him in Christchurch.
More of the team are keen to visit him too.
Martin wasn’t sure of Jacob’s condition, but hoped things were heading in the right direction. Jacob was showing positive signs last month.
Even after the absence of their key halfback, the third XV reached the final of their grade this year, but were beaten by Queen Elizabeth College’s first XV.
Other teams the third XV faced told them they had respect for them because they carried on playing rugby after such a shock.
The boys in that team have been right through it. They’ve been like a family, been like brothers.
Feilding High School third XV rugby coach Leigh Martin