[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http://newswhakatane.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Tyrone-Campbell.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Whakatane’s inaugural Junior Rugby League Festival begins on Friday.
The Festival is the creation of Tyrone Campbell of Global Games, an event organising company with extensive experience in holding international sports fixtures and which is now based in Matatā.
The Festival will see 40 teams of 1012 year old league players attend the competition and be hosted on marae throughout the District.
More than 3000 people are expected to be in the Whakatāne area as supporters or players over the Festival weekend, so hospitality and retail providers can expect to see many of these visitors out and about seeking places to eat and things to do. As a junior league festival we can also expect a few cuts and scrapes so pharmacies may want to consider extending their trading hours.
The public are invited to show their support at the opening ceremony on Friday at Mataatua Reserve at 2pm, and also at the games themselves, which will be held at Rugby Park and Rex Morpeth Park on Saturday and Sunday starting at 8:30am.
This will be a regular annual event supported by Whakatāne District Council, and we are hoping Whakatāne will give our visitors a warm welcome that will make them sure to return. Events such as this have a sizeable and very positive impact on our economy and this event in particular can also have a very positive impact on our young people.
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