NZ WARRIORS
Ask Emma Harper what she’d save in a fire and she’ll look anguished. “on’tmakemechoose It’sahardonebut if I had to, probably one of my many signed Warriors jerseys or the m-long sign that commemorated former player Simon Mannering’s 250th game – if I could lug that out of the house.”
Harper ,41, is a die-hard New Zealand Warriors fan, the kind who sports a tattoo of the Warriors logo on her left wrist, the kind who never misses a chance to see her team in action and who volunteers for the club.
For her troubles, the Auckland retail manager was named Member of the Year in 2016.
Ironically, Harper wasn’t even a fan of rugby league when she and her husband Jason and their two daughters emigrated to New Zealand from the in 2006.
“I’d seen a few rugby union games and the All lacks when they played in the . ut I wasn’t into league at all.”
A few months after moving to Auckland, Harper won tickets to a Warriors game.
“It seemed like a fun thing to do on a sunny Sunday afternoon, so we went along.”
From kick off, she was hooked. “I loved the game, it was so much faster and more exciting than rugby union. The atmosphere was also fantastic – the fans were vocal and fun. I got home and said, ‘that was awesome’.”
At the time, Harper was working for a party business, which meant her weekends were often busy. “ut whenever I could I’d go to a home game, either with Jason or my sister who’s now also a Warriors fan, although not as fanatical as me.”
Two years later, Harper became a member and shortly after started her collection of Warriors jerseys, scarves and posters as well as signed balls and boots.
“I’ve also got stuff like branded shoelaces, bottle openers, wristbands, even a Shaun Johnson doll a friend brought me back from Australia.”
Harper estimates she’s spent around $50,000 on her collection, which hovers around the 500-item mark.
“I’m not really sure how many pieces I have. When we were adding an extension to the house , I included a walk-in wardrobe to store my collection. There are also items around the house – like the huge Simon Mannering sign in Jason’s office and a black and white framed picture of the team training at ethells each, which hangs on my living room wall.”
And a photo Shaun Johnson gave her for her 40th birthday. “For me, it’s about watching the games and collecting merchandise. I have a bad memory so I’m not one of those fans who logs every game or records who scored and what happened.”
Harper’s joy comes from being part of the Warriors whānau. “It’s the buzz of being part of something big – of being one big family with the players, staff and other fans. The players are so humble, they spend time with you in a way I’m sure Manchester
nited players don’t. y volunteering, I’m also giving something back to the club.”
As for those detractors who ask Harper why she’s such a dedicated fan, especially when the team isn’t doing well, she’ll say, “My skin is hardened to those comments now. If you’re a fan, you stick with your team through good and bad and always have their back.”