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Emotional Manly to take great steps honour and support Christchurch over terror attack
DEAN RITCHIE MARCH 27, 2019
Manly are taking seriously the responsibility of being the first professional sporting franchise to play in Christchurch since the mosque terrorist massacre.
“We want the people of Christchurch to know we are thinking about them,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.
“We want to lend ourselves to the community to help relieve some of the pain.
“We also want to build on (New Zealand Prime Minister) Jacinda Ardern’s message, You Are Us.”
Sea Eagles chief executive Lyall Gorman added: “This isn’t about us, it’s about us going there with humility, reflection and gratitude.”
During their solemn visit to Christchurch for Saturday afternoon’s match against New Zealand Warriors, the Sea Eagles plan to:
● Honour the fallen during an emotional pre-game ceremony which will include a minute’s silence;
● Possibly have They Are Us displayed on their jumpers;
● Have Hasler, club ambassador Steve Menzies and players Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic, Marty Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake attend an official dinner at Christchurch Casino where Menzies will be guest speaker;
● Participate in a national remembrance service on Friday at 10am in Christchurch;
● Have players Curtis Sironen, Jorge Taufua, Toafofoa Siply and Corey Waddell help at a special junior rugby league tournament at Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub, which is run by Christchurch City Council;
● Get forward Joel Thompson to talk to kids from the Mindset Project youth workshop in Wainoni;
● Have Sea Eagles hooker Api Koroisau visit Bros 4 Change, a New Zealand program which aims to offer troubled kids a second chance;
● Have Jake Trbojevic, Brendan Elliot, Moses Suli, Reuben Garrick, Kane Elgey, Manase Fainu, Kelepi Tanginoa, Brad Parker and Jack Gosiewski visit a junior rugby league clinic in Papanui.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg is also expected to travel to New Zealand’s South Island for the match.
“We are asking, is there anything we can do and what the game of rugby league can do to add value in a really challenging time?” Gorman said.
“One thing sport does is unite people. It gives people a sense of hope for the future and maybe lightens things up a little bit in tough times.
“It will be emotional but, at the same time, it is humbling and flattering that we have the opportunity to be there and see how we can make some small difference.”
The Sea Eagles will seek New Zealand Government approval before displaying the They Are Us message on their jersey. That should be known by Friday.
Manly players flew out for Christchurch at 5pm on Wednesday.
“The pre-game will be quite special on the back of the tragedy,” Gorman said.
“Sport can be emotional and it gives people an outlet. It’s what rugby league and sport does.
“Christchurch has great people. It is just a really warm, embracing place to be.”
On the field, Manly will still be desperate for victory after two successive losses to start the season.
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