Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Warren Gatland Becomes Hamilton's Second City Ambassador

Warren Gatland Becomes Hamilton's Second City Ambassador

31 JULY 2014

Welsh Rugby Union coach and Hamiltonian Warren Gatland couldn't keep the smile from his face today as he watched the Hamilton Boys' High School 1st XV perform the school haka.

But instead of being on the rugby field, he was in the Hamilton City Council chamber, where he had just been awarded an honorary city ambassadorship, becoming to second person to have received the award. Mr Gatland received the inscribed medallion at an extraordinary council meeting.

The award recognises his long career which has taken him from the sports fields at Hamilton Boys' High School to his current role as coach of the Welsh rugby team. It is Mr Gatland's second accolade of the year - he was made an OBE in the British Queen's Birthday Honours list in June for his services to rugby.

The haka was especially poignant for Mr Gatland, whose son Bryn was in the Hamilton Boys' High School 1st XV last year and kicked the winning drop goal at the end of the National Secondary Schools final to win the game against St Kentigern College in Auckland by 12-10.

Mr Gatland is also an old boy of the school and captained the 1st XV. He has been back at the school frequently over the past few years to assist the team at training sessions.

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker told Mr Gatland that the ambassadorship is recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made to the world of rugby.

"That includes wearing the Hamilton Boys' High School jersey, the red yellow and black jersey of Waikato for 140 games and the famous black jersey for 17 games as an All Black," she said. "You have continued to make your mark on the rugby world stage, firstly as coach for Ireland and since 2007 as coach for Wales, making you their longest serving national coach. And all this while still maintaining a strong link to Hamilton and supporting our city on the international stage."


ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.