Sevens Tournament Supports Save The Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 30 JANUARY 2008

Sevens Tournament Supports Save The Children

Rugby fans are gearing up for a treat of Sevens action this weekend when the NZI Sevens kicks off at Westpac Stadium on Friday 1 February.

And with the assistance of Save the Children New Zealand, one lucky youngster from Porirua, 11-year-old Mariah De La Mere, has won the opportunity to run the match ball onto the field ahead of the first quarter-final game on day two of this iconic event.

She entered the draw for the top prize at the New Zealand Sevens team's training session in Porirua today and was delighted when national team coach Gordon Tietjens read out her name.

Mariah, who will be starting her first year at Brandon Intermediate next week, said "I'm really excited, I haven't done anything like this before and I can't wait".

Save the Children New Zealand, the official charity of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the All Blacks as well as the NZI Sevens tournament, will be involved in several activities in the days leading up to, and at this year's tournament.

Collectors will be part of the NZI Sevens Parade in downtown Wellington tomorrow, Thursday 31 January, and on the Westpac Stadium walkway on Saturday 2 February. Thanks to the support of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, Sevens fans will also get the chance to enter the draw to win tickets to next year's event. Entry forms will be available from Save the

Children collectors at the Street Parade tomorrow and at the Stadium on Saturday.

"We're happy to have such a worthy and well-established charity on board again, especially with Save the Children having such a positive presence in many of the participating countries," said NZI Sevens General Manager, Steve Walters.

Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand, John Bowis, said being the official charity of the NZI Sevens was an opportunity to highlight the organisation's work around the world.

"Being the official charity of the NZI Sevens is great news for the world's children. We work in over half the countries that are attending the tournament, either raising money and awareness about supporting children in need, or running projects to help children in countries like Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Fiji and Samoa, and of course here in New Zealand."

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said:

"Save The Children is doing a fantastic job around the world and on behalf of the team we encourage all fans to donate generously throughout the tournament."

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