RNZRSA and rugby join forces to honour ANZAC Day

MEDIA RELEASE
22 April 2009

RNZRSA and rugby join forces to honour ANZAC Day

Veterans, returned RSA members and military personnel offered free tickets to Rebel Sport Super 14 matches on ANZAC Weekend

ANZAC Day commemorations will extend on to the rugby pitch next weekend with the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association teaming up with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Blues, Highlanders and Hurricanes to mark this important day.

A series of special activities are planned to commemorate ANZAC Day at the three Rebel Sport Super 14 home fixtures being hosted in New Zealand, two of which will feature trans-Tasman clashes.

Among the initiatives is a nation-wide offer to Veterans and Returned Servicemen and Women as well as all current serving military personnel to attend any of these matches free of charge.

Arrangements have been made through the RNZRSA to make this free ticket offer available through local RSA clubs for returned and veteran members in those areas who wish to attend.

Over ANZAC weekend, the Highlanders will play the Stormers at Carisbrook on Friday night, the Blues will host the Queensland Reds at North Harbour Stadium late Saturday afternoon, and the Hurricanes will host the Brumbies in Wellington later that evening.

RNZRSA Chief Executive Dr Stephen Clarke has welcomed the offer which is seen as another way of recognising and honouring all returned service personnel.

ANZAC Day remains our most important day in regards to remembering all those who have served New Zealand in military service and we are delighted that the NZRU and the rugby community will be recognising our veterans and paying tribute to their comrades that did not return at these games.”
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said it was fitting that two of the three matches over the weekend would feature Australian teams given the shared ANZAC bond with Australia and that rugby was playing its part in remembering the contribution of past generations.

“There is a long and inter-connected history in New Zealand between the military and rugby; including a number of prominent rugby players who fought and died in war-time service. So it’s appropriate that rugby joins in this national day of remembrance.”

A number of other initiatives will be announced in the lead-up to the weekend matches and rugby supporters are encouraged to join the commemorations at one of the three fixtures.

*****

RSA Ticket Offer
For current military personnel, present your current military identification to the following ticket outlets on game day:

• Highlanders v Stormers: Carisbrook office, Burns Street, Dunedin from 9.00am – 6.00pm on Friday 24 April.

• Blues v Reds: North Harbour Stadium, Lion Foundation House, gate B from 9.00am on Saturday 25 April.

• Hurricanes v Brumbies: Westpac Stadium ticket booth from 9am on Saturday 25 April.

For returned and veteran serviceman please contact your local RSA.

Match and Ticket Details

Highlanders v Stormers - Friday 24 April, 7.35pm, Carisbrook, Dunedin
Tickets for the Highlanders are available through ticketdirect at www.ticketdirect.co.nz or call 0800 CARISBROOK.

Blues v Reds - Saturday 25 April, 5.30pm, Albany Stadium, Auckland
Tickets to the Blues game are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz or by calling 0800 111 999

Hurricanes v Brumbies - Saturday 25 April, 7.35pm, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Tickets to the Hurricanes game are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz or by calling 0800 111 999

ENDS

© Scoop Media