Magpies open gates to McLean Park
FWith the support of fantastic partners and the Napier City Council we are privileged to be able to make this weekend’s semifinal free of charge so that everyone can forget about all the challenges for a couple of hours and come along and enjoy some semifinal footy in the sun.
ans are expected to flock to McLeanPark this Saturday with the announcement there’ll be free entry for the hometeam’s semifinal against Taranaki.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union said it had been a “challenging year” for manypeople who’d faced a severe drought, Covid -19 and most recently the flooding, which had particularly impacted the communities surroundingMcLeanPark.
So a group of local businesses, along with Napier City council, have banded together to let Hawke’s Bay know“this one’s on us”.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell said 2020 had been a struggle for many.
“Our farmers have been hit hard with droughts, Napier was smashed lastweekwith flooding and all business sectors and communities have been affected by Covid and the lockdown,” he said.
“Therefore, with the support of fantastic partners and the Napier City Councilweare privileged to be able tomakethis weekend’s semifinal free of charge so that everyone can forget about all the challenges for a couple of hours andcomealong and enjoy somesemifinal footy in the sun.”
Following the Magpies’ victory over Wellington, theHBRUstarted working with several partners to try tomakefree entry a reality.
Napier City Council, Unison and Napier businessman Rodney Green have all contributed to support the union in covering the costs tomake the event free for both stand and general admission areas.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the storm event lastweekhighlighted the “ongoing resilience shownby our community in times of adversity”.
“Good on the Magpies for opening
the semifinalup for our residents. As a city, we’re happy to get completely behind this and help it happen.”
Unison Group chief executiveKen
Sutherland added: “Following a difficult year for our communities, we are pleased to be in a position where wecan assist our people to support
our team. The Magpies have galvanised somanythis year andwe hope they can continue to give a Hawke’s Bay crowd something to celebrate this weekend.”
Greenwas delighted to be supporting what he says is “a great initiative that will give this community something to cheer about”.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby will allocate sections in the stands for season membersand sponsors to thank them for their loyal support in addition to a largenumberof tickets being provided to those families directly affected by the recent floods and/or are currently displaced and living at Kennedy Park.
“However, with morethan 8500 seats and a ground capacity of 16,500 there will be plenty ofroomfor everyone to enjoy the experience,” Campbell said.
The match kicks off at 4.35pm on Saturday. Gates will open from3pm and available stand seating will be allocated first in, first served.