Charity match raises $28,000
But it’s worth more than money to pupils — principal
More than $28,000 was raised for Goldfields School through the Thames Valley Swampfoxes charity jersey match on Saturday — but the money was just the icing on the cake.
This year marked the sixth season of the rugby team’s relationship with the innovative Paeroa school for students with special needs aged 5-21 years.
“It’s not about giving [us] money, it’s about their healthy relationship with our kids,” says school tumuaki/principal Cameron Mckenzie.
“Their mantra is making good men in their team and it’s about the students looking up to them. They play games when they visit, they built us some picnic tables, they joined a kapa haka with the kids and the kids really love them being here. The money is just a bonus.”
Cameron said the players have become comfortable from their regular visits to the school, which “can be affronting if you’ve never been to a special school”.
“Their players realise they are in a position of responsibility, and the coaches want to make good men of them. They are a really nice team, they’re friendly and it’s about the fact they live here and we’re part of the community. It’s more than rugby to them. They represent an area and want to be good role models in our community.”
In the Saturday match in Te Aroha, players wore specially designed jerseys with self-portraits by the kids of Goldfields School.
The playing jerseys, thanks to their clothing sponsor Dynasty, were ceremoniously handed over by four of the students and auctioned off after the game at the Waihou Rugby Club. All proceeds support the school.
The team said they are proud of the community that supported their effort through the auction bidding to provide disabled children more opportunity, greater involvement, and a better chance at learning.
When Thames Valley Swampfoxes coaching group took over in 2017. Led by Matthew Bartleet, Joe Murray and David Harrison, they wanted to build meaningful connection to the Thames Valley community and groups of people with in it.
“Goldfields School was an easy choice and it’s has been a privilege for the Thames Valley Swampfoxes to be associated with them during this time,” said head coach Joe Murray.
Several of the students at Goldfields are from big rugby families, and their connection with the team gives them a sense of awe.
Cameron Mckenzie says they are role models for the students who love it when the team visit.
“And they’re big humans, the kids are like ‘holy heck!’ especially coach Matt, he always comes in and everyone is like ‘woah!’.”
He says not all students can cope with the rugby crowds and noise but those that do are proud to be part of the occasion.
“Our students live in the moment but a lot of students come to the game and their families really love it.”
Played: 7. Won: 7. Lost: 0. Thames Valley are in the Meads Cup Final folks. Boyd Park, Te Aroha 2pm 6 November