Hobbiton gets behind Braden
Two major fundraising events have been planned to help injured rugby player Braden ‘‘Larry’’ Coates and his family.
The first will be at Hobbiton near Matamata and the second at Sky City Hamilton.
Coates is well-known among the Hinuera Rugby Club where he played but this season moved to Tokoroa, where he played for Southern United Rugby Football Club.
It was during a game for his new club, against Taupiri, when he was injured on July 1.
New Zealand Rugby Foundation stepped in the following day to offer help.
The foundation, in a statement in reply to questions, said Coates was tackled and was getting back to his feet, when, a concurrent tackle resulted in two other players falling on top of him.
Coates was at the Auckland Spinal Unit and was seven weeks into working extremely hard on his rehabilitation.
ACC would cover all medical costs and would be working on home modifications for his new future.
The foundation had covered all accommodation and transport costs to alleviate pressure off the family.
A Local Organising Committee had also been formed to help, made up of representatives from Southern United, Hinuera, Putaruru, Taupiri, Te Kauwhata and Hamilton Old Boys rugby clubs as well as New Zealand Rugby Foundation and the Waikato Rugby Union.
The foundation said the fact there were so many clubs involved was testament to Coates’ large network of friends and ‘‘his wonderful mum, dad and sisters’’.
Southern United chairman Graham Lee said Coates was a very enthusiastic and ‘‘well liked member of our club’’.
‘‘He was a joy to coach and was always willing to participate and give input and assistance to others, as well as being the larrikin we all know and enjoy.’’
The foundation would offer guidance on coming fundraising events, because it had experience in this area.
But the organising committee had the local knowledge and contacts to drive and lead the events.
The first fundraiser planned would bring together an All Black legend, a well-known television personality and one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations.
Sir John Kirwan and SportsCafe presenter and producer Ric Salizzo will join Hobbiton Movie Set chief executive and co-founder Russell Alexander as guest speakers at a fundraiser for Coates at Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours.
Alexander, who played 10 years of rugby with the Hinuera Rugby Club and knows the Coates family well, says the fundraiser is his way of doing what he can to try and ‘‘make a difference’’.
‘‘We have all played sport and it could happen to me or one of my kids, it’s a tragic situation.
‘‘He is in the local community and played in the same local rugby club I did.
‘‘If it happened to me or to my kids, the least you could do, is your local team and business people all pitch in a little bit each and hopefully it can make a difference.’’
The fundraiser begins with a tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
Guests will be able to enjoy a beverage at the iconic Green Dragon Inn, followed by buffet dinner, full of Hobbit fare in the Party Marquee.
Kirwan, Alexander and Salizzo will address the guests throughout the evening.
Another guided tour through the popular movie set will take place at moonlight, while the village is lit by the hobbit hole smoking chimneys and glowing lanterns.