Shark attack ahead at North Harbour Stadium

The New Zealand Warriors face a 'Shark Attack' later this month at North Harbour Stadium when last year's NRL Grand-Finalist takes on Sydneysiders, the Cronulla Sharks in a pre-season encounter at Albany.

The local league side could have a 'shark' of its own if North Harbour favourite, Mark 'Sharky' Robinson appears on his home ground on February 22. Robinson, a former All Black and captain of the province's rugby side, is currently trialling at the Warriors with a view to switching codes permanently.

The Warriors will be playing its first game in 2003 on New Zealand turf against the Sharks, its 2002 semi-final victim, at North Harbour Stadium with kick-off at 5pm. The sides' respective development squads will clash in the second of two curtain raisers at 3pm. The first game of the day will feature local club side, the North Harbour Tigers, against Manurewa from 1.30pm.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $10 for adults and free for children aged 12 years and under if seated in the concourse or open stands. Deluxe seating (level 3) is only $15 and limited seating is available in the ASB Bank Lounge area on level two for $25. Tickets are available from Ticketek on (09) 307 5000 or www.ticketek.co.nz, or through any Mad Butcher outlet. Booking fees apply.

North Harbour Stadium general manager, Wayne Scurrah, is calling on Warriors fans from throughout the country to fill the Stadium to cheer on the team.

"The Warriors game is a fantastic opportunity for us to really get behind a champion side. We're all extremely proud of their achievements last season when they took on the Australians and showed they could foot it with the best. The bigger the crowd the better so we've heavily discounted the ticket prices making it an affordable and fun-filled day out for families," he says.

Access to and from the Stadium is now one of the best in the Auckland region.

"Travellers coming from both north and south can exit the motorway at the Oteha Valley Road turnoff and comfortably park their cars within metres of the Stadium entrance. There are 2000 on site parks with free parking available on the day," Mr Scurrah says.

For people coming north across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, shuttle buses have been arranged from Sky City starting at 3pm, at a cost of only $1 each way.

"Anyone taking a shuttle bus has the chance to kick for cash at half-time (of the Warriors-Sharks game). This requires people to kick the ball over the posts to be in to win $500 courtesy of sponsor Sky City," says Wayne Scurrah.

The North Harbour Stadium is also giving away free vouchers to schools throughout North Shore City and across the Auckland region to encourage children to come along to see the league action.

Schoolchildren and the general public are also invited to watch the Sharks train on Friday, February 21, from 9am until midday at North Harbour Stadium, the versatile venue dubbed the 'house of football'.

Margaret Miles, who chairs North Shore City Council's community services and parks committee, says she is looking forward to seeing the league games at North Harbour Stadium, where international matches have been held in the past.

"Our facility has proved itself as an ideal venue for all football codes - rugby, league and soccer - as well as cricket, rock concerts and even landscape opera.

"Three league matches in one day provides great entertainment and value for money at a great venue," says Councillor Miles.

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