‘Nike Football in the Gap’ pops up in Christchurch red zone

‘Nike Football in the Gap’ pops up in Christchurch red zone

On Monday 15 October, Nike and the All Whites will launch ‘Nike Football In The Gap’ – a free community football pitch that fills one of the many vacant ‘gaps’ in the heart of the Christchurch CBD.

‘Nike Football In The Gap’ is a collaborative project that sees Nike, Rebuild Christchurch and other local businesses transform a quake affected city block into a synthetic grass pitch, open to anyone and everyone who loves football.

Local Cantabrian and All White, Ben Sigmund will officially launch the initiative and hand it over to the Christchurch City Council at 3:30pm this Monday 15 October. The pitch is being launched to coincide with the first All Whites game in Christchurch since the quake, with the team taking on Tahiti in a World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday 16th.

Inspired by the Rebuild Christchurch movement, Nike saw an opportunity to use football as a way to create a positive and lasting project for the local community. With the council and local businesses trying to change people’s perceptions of the red zone being out of bounds, it’s hoped that ‘Nike Football In The Gap’ can attract more people back into the Christchurch CBD.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to share our true passion and ongoing support for Football,” says Nike spokesperson, Paul Faulkner. “It all starts here, in these communities, with a common place for footballers to belong”.

‘Nike Football In The Gap’ will give young footballers (and the wider community) a way to take back their city, kick-by-kick, game-by-game; breathing life back into a city that has seen so much devastation.

Sigmund will be joined by teammates Kosta Barbarouses, Marco Rojas and other members of the Canterbury football and futsal community at the launch, where the public will be invited to play in a 5-a-side knockout tournament. There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs including tickets to the All Whites vs Tahiti World Cup Qualifier game.

Following the launch, ‘Nike Football In The Gap’ will remain open for an extended period as a free community football pitch open for everyone to come play.

‘Nike Football in the Gap’
Launching Monday 15 October 3:30pm
104120 Hereford Street, Christchurch CBD
www.facebook.com/nikefootballnz

ENDS

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