Mangakino fire a costly loss for league players
A Mangakino rugby league club has been dealt a harsh blow with all of its training gear destroyed in a fire.
On the evening of August 10, the Mangakino Hawkes clubrooms caught on fire.
The Mangakino Volunteer Fire Brigade was able to contain the blaze to one room but all the training equipment had been destroyed. The cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical fault.
News of the fire was put on the backburner for almost a week so it wouldn’t put a bad vibe on an important game over the weekend.
‘‘We didn’t really say anything because the grand final was coming up and we didn’t want to put a damper on it,’’ Club captain, Johnson Teri, said.
Damaged items included the club’s a big marquee, drill bags, first aid kits, balls, cones and other equipment used in the team’s training.
Some other gear was damaged by smoke and soot stains.
‘‘Our brand new kits, gear that we haven’t worn yet has smoke damage.
’’We’ve water blasted them down and just have them hanging up trying to get them all freshened out.
‘‘We don’t think the smoke smell will leave them though.’’
Counting one blessing, the club purchased pads that go around the posts just recently.
But a decision to put them in a separate room means they were only smoke damaged also, and they too, have a had a decent water blast.
Since the fire, the club has had many messages of support and a lot of other league clubs have showed their enthusiasm in helping the Mangakino Hawkes replace all that they have lost.
‘‘We’ve been approached by other clubs, offering their help,’’ he said.
‘‘They suggested hosting games between our club and theirs and we take the gate fee.
‘‘We are grateful for their support but we found the easiest way was to set up a Give A Little page.’’
Teri said the club would like to thank everyone, especially the wider rugby league family, for their support.
‘‘It just goes to show its more than just a game. We are all one big family.’’