Warriors night in support of Chace Topperwien charity
Tickets are still on sale for a night of charity, cash for points and the return of the club's heritage kit when the Vodafone Warriors and the table-topping Vodafone Junior Warriors take on Newcastle at Mount Smart Stadium tonight.
The ninth-placed Vodafone Warriors (20 points) line-up against 12th-placed Newcastle (18 points) in a must-win match with just seven games left in the NRL season (kick-off 7.30pm).
And at 5.15pm the 2010-2011 back-to-back NYC premiers (29 points) will seek their fifth straight win when they face the eighth-placed Knights (21 points).
The Vodafone Warriors are hoping for another strong turnout of members and supporters with just four home games left this season.
Since attracting a crowd of 37,502 for the season-opener against Manly at Eden Park, the club has had solid crowds in seven matches at Mount Smart Stadium. The best topped 20,000 for the game against Melbourne while five o the other six games have had crowds ranging from 15,374 (North Queensland) to 19,012 (Brisbane). The only exception has been the Gold Coast match, which was played on Saturday night at a drenched Mount Smart Stadium in front of almost 13,000.
Charity of the Day
A major feature of the night will be the club's support of the Dream Chaser Foundation - A Chace Topperwien Charity established in the name of the three-year-old Whakatane boy who died last month from a rare form of myeloid leukaemia.
Chace's parents Keri and Ryan Topperwien along with other family members will be hosted by Vodafone Warriors owners Eric Watson and Owen Glenn. Watson and Glenn each donated $25,000 to the cost of an expensive drug trial when they learned of Chace's plight.
Watson said he was keen for the Vodafone Warriors to support the foundation, particularly having met and spent time with the family while they were in the United Kingdom.
"As a father it was very hard to see Ryan and Keri with little Chace. My heart really went out to them," he said.
"As a parent you'd do anything if your child was in the same situation and they certainly did for Chace. "I am in awe of their dedication and commitment to help others by setting up this foundation. I know the Vodafone Warriors' community will get behind them and support us in raising a great deal of money for the foundation."
Glenn is looking forward to meeting the Topperwiens and their parents tonight.
"It is good timing that both Eric and I will be in New Zealand and at the game against the Knights," he said.
"Ryan and Keri and their parents will be our guests that night and I'm confident that the Vodafone Warriors will play the game of their lives in memory of Chace.
"We want to give the foundation the best possible launch and we encourage Kiwis to get behind it too."
A number of activities are being organised to raise funds for the charity the Topperwiens have set up.
Match Day Sponsor
Match day sponsor TNT has pledged cash for points in support of the charity of the day. Every try scored by the Vodafone Warriors and the Vodafone Junior Warriors will result in TNT donating $100 to the Dream Chaser Foundation while it will pay $50 for every goal and $25 for every field goal scored by the club's two teams.
Auctions
There'll be an auction in the Club Lounge on game day when Vodafone Warriors members and guests will be able to bid for a signed 2012 Vodafone Warriors home jersey and $500 worth of SKYCITY vouchers. Collectors will also be circulating the venue for a gold coin collection.
Another fundraiser is an online auction the Vodafone Warriors have set up with three packages to bid on. Click http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=4278262 (see details of lots below). The auction closes on Monday, July 23.
Te Toki Pounamu
The Vodafone Warriors will use tomorrow night's special occasion to give their heritage jersey - Te Toki Pounamu - another outing in front of Vodafone Warriors members and fans at Mount Smart Stadium. The last time they played in it at home they beat Gold Coast 26-6 on March 24.
Entertainment
The entertainment package before the main game features performances by the Mini Warriors Cheerleaders and the SKYCITY Cheer Team plus the naming of the Vodafone Superfan on the Match and a live performance by hip hop artist Tyree.
At halftime there'll be a TNT parcel delivery race while the SKYCITY Cheer Team and Tyree will again perform.
Club Lounge
Vodafone Warriors owner Owen Glenn will join Vodafone Warriors gold and platinum members in the lounge about 7.00pm. He'll talk about his just-released book 'Making a Difference', his joint venture shareholding in the club and this week's major announcement about the Vodafone Warriors' future. He'll also sign copies of his book while he's there.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, July 21
5.00pm Gates Open
5.15pm Vodafone Junior Warriors v Knights (NYC)
7.30pm Vodafone Warriors v Knights (NRL)
Save by pre-purchasing tickets for Saturday's match against the Knights at www.ticketek.co.nz and at selected Mad Butcher outlets (Albany, Glen Innes, Mangere East, Manukau and Papakura). Dream Chaser Foundation
For more information about the Dream Chaser Foundation - A Chace Topperwien Charity please contact Keri or Ryan Topperwien at ryan@dreamchaser.co.nz or keri@dreamchaser.co.nz
A website is also being set up: www.dreamchaser.co.nz
Auction Lots
The lots for the Vodafone Warriors' online auction are:
Vodafone Warriors Family Extravaganza
Family pass (two adults and three children) to the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, August 5
A child (aged 5-13) to run the match ball on at the start of the NRL fixture Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game on Sunday, August 5
A 2012 signed Vodafone Warriors home jersey (black)
The opportunity for the family to meet their favourite Vodafone Warrior after the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game in the team gymnasium
A Family Pass for the 2013 Vodafone Warriors season including membership packs
Vodafone Warriors Corporate Extravaganza
A gold table in the Vodafone Warriors' Club Lounge for 10 people to the Vodafone Warriors v Penrith Panthers game at Mount Smart Stadium (August 17-20, date and time to be confirmed)
Framed 2012 signed home (black) and away (white) jerseys
The framed jerseys to be presented by a Vodafone Warrior at your table after the game
Successful bidder will be able to meet their favourite Vodafone Warrior after the Vodafone Warriors v Penrith Panthers game
Vodafone Warriors Backyard League Clinic
A Backyard League clinic for up to 30 children at either a school or rugby league club in Auckland of your choice
Vodafone Warrior gift bags for each child
Match tickets for 30 children and 10 adults to attend the Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks game on Sunday, August 5 at Mount Smart Stadium.
comments powered by Disqus