24 March 2011

Jetstar Offers Respite to NZ Emergency Workers and Their Families With Rugby League-Inspired Holiday to the Gold Coast

Low fares leader Jetstar has joined a major collaborative partnership through Rugby League to support disaster affected communities helping rebuild people’s lives across Queensland and in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jetstar alongside the National Rugby League, New Zealand Rugby League and the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans, with support from the Queensland Government, will assist 250 fans from Christchurch to be part of a unique Rugby League double header on the weekend of 6-8 May 2011.

The flight partnership will specifically target emergency crew and their families in Christchurch for a unique sporting holiday experience on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast will host for the first time host a Rugby League Test between Australia and New Zealand on Friday 6 May, followed by the NRL clash between the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors on Sunday 8 May.

Jetstar will assist in bringing 250 fans from Christchurch, the original venue for the match, to the Gold Coast free of charge, and they will stay on for the NRL match on the Sunday.

People selected will fly on Jetstar from Christchurch to/from the Gold Coast and Brisbane, stay in accommodation provided by the Australian Timeshare Industry, visit the Gold Coast theme parks and attend the Mother’s Day weekend Rugby League double-header – all generously donated.

The low fares leader anticipates that emergency service personnel, including from the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Defence services and Volunteers in the rebuilding of Christchurch, would fly to attend both Rugby League matches combined as part of a well deserved travel break on the iconic Gold Coast.

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said Jetstar’s support to this event was all about reaching out to the people of Christchurch and specifically those working on the city’s rebuilding or in a critical support services capacity by offering respite through a sporting holiday break.

“Christchurch stands by the city and the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region, and we are committed for the long term to lending our support and opportunities. The city marked Jetstar’s foundation in New Zealand and we are thrilled to play our part in this fantastic sport tourism event that’s also about directly helping people.”

“Some of the heroes of the Christchurch community we want to help bring them to the Gold Coast to see the trans Tasman’s leading Rugby League players in action. This will be a wonderful coming together, through adversity of people and sport, for one great weekend on the Gold Coast.

ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr, said: “These games will provide a stage to honour the courage and spirit of all those people whose lives have been affected by the floods, Cyclone Yasi and the Christchurch earthquake.”

New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive, Mr Jim Doyle, said the entire Test week would be memorable for both its historic significance and for the chance to provide a little cheer for some people from Christchurch and Queensland.

The Queensland Government has given its support to send a clear message that the state is back in business as a sporting and tourist destination and thousands of interstate and overseas visitors are also expected to take advantage of special ticket packages for the double-header weekend.

In 2009, Jetstar flew more than 50 children from families who were affected in the Victorian bushfires up to the Gold Coast to put a smile on the face of young kids who had lost so much.

ENDS

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