Teens get Auckland trip

The Taitokerau Rugby League organisation recently shouted 40 teenagers from across the North on an all-expenses paid trip to Auckland.

The three-day trip was centred around taking the players to watch the Vodafone Warriors vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL game at Mt Smart but there were plenty of other activities which kept everyone occupied.

Richie Koroi, recently appointed to develop the code at junior/ age-grade level in Tai Tokerau alongside longstanding league advocate Jim Larkin, said players were chosen from the TRL under 15 and 17 age grade tournament held in Kaikohe last month.

This saw the travelling contingent made up of players from Ngapuhi, Muriwhenua and Whangarei factions.

“The whole thing was to give the lads an experience,” Koroi said, noting the trip was made possible through the TRL and was used to promote the organisation’s new Mana Whanau kaupapa: “A healthy game and a healthy community.”

The touring party also benefited through some much appreciated support from Leo Molloy, the owner of the high profile HQ restaurant on Auckland’s Viaduct.

As well as getting front-ofhouse seats for the aforementioned NRL game, the Far North contingent dined out in style, eating breakfast and dinner and breakfast at HQ.

The teens also took part in a training run on the fields by the Victoria Park Markets.

And the players were put through their paces by the Vodafone Warriors U20 coach and players at the Warriors facility during their time in Auckland.