Southland Boys’ High gala dinner features former school rugby stars
“They’re all superexcited to be going on a trip like this and representing the school.” Taine Withy, SBHS First XV captain
A star-studded crew of ex Southland Boys’ pupils are part of a fundraising dinner for the Southland Boys’ High School first XV tomorrow night at the Ascot Park Hotel.
The gala dinner is a fundraiser to help get the team to Japan for the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament later this month.
Former All Black and Southland Boys’ High pupil Mils Muliaina is one of the guests, alongside current All Black loosehead prop and 2023 Rugby World Cup finalist and Highlander Ethan de Groot, current Highlanders flanker and former Southland Boys’ High School captain Sean Withy and fellow Highlanders and Stags squad member Jack Taylor, who was also captain.
New Southland Boys’ High School captain Taine Withy said they were stoked to have such high-calibre guests as part of the dinner.
“It will be cool to see them and hear there stories from their first XV days and as their career has progressed but also have them there supporting us. I am sure they’ll have a few laughs around and really looking forward to it, there will be some great food too.”
All four of the players have taken different paths to get to where they did and he said it’ll be interesting to hear those.
Withy, who was part of the national winning side in 2023, said the opportunity to go to Japan was a great occasion and something the first XV were honoured to do.
“It’s great having them come down in their own time to come and support us and our trip to Japan and the boys are incredibly appreciative of it.“
The side has been doing lots of fundraising over the past couple of months such as raffles and firewood, while they also had a golf day at the Otatara Golf Club with an auction, that saw them raise more than $12,000.
“The gala is our biggest fundraiser, but everything has definitely helped.”
On April 23, they head to Japan and are over there for about 18 days, playing rugby and visiting different parts of the country like Tokyo and Kumagaya.
“There is a real buzz around the group. They’re all super-excited to be going on a trip like this and representing the school.”
Some of the auction items up for grabs include All Blacks tops from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, donated by Damian McKenzie and Ethan de Groot, a signed Japan rugby top, a framed Southland Boys’ High School jersey signed by the 2023 Top four winning team and lots more.
“We’re super-thankful for everything that’s been donated for the auction. Hopefully everything goes well.”
There are still tickets available for the dinner and they can be purchased on the Southland Boys’ High School website.
The event starts at 6.30pm and is being MC’d by Nick Jeffrey.