The Vodafone Wellington Lions and Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) announced today that they will team up for the 2005 Air New Zealand NPC competition. The association will include activities and events aimed at assisting the profile of the RNZFB in its capacity as the team's official charity this season.

The first of these activities will occur on Thursday, 18 August at midday at the Westpac Stadium, with blind and vision-impaired children joining in a special practice session with members of the Vodafone Wellington Lions squad.

One of the squad members present will be initial season captain Joe McDonnell who is looking forward to working with the RNZFB during the season.

"The Vodafone Wellington Lions are fortunate to receive tremendous support from the entire community and our association with the Foundation of the Blind this season will allow us to give something back to some of our biggest fans," said McDonnell.

"Because our supporters create such a great atmosphere at the Westpac Stadium it means that our blind and vision-impaired fans can really experience the event.

"Tickets have been provided to a group of such fans for a couple of our home games, including this Friday night's match so we know they'll be cheering loudly for us.

"But before then we want to provide some of the kids with a first hand experience of what it is like to be down on the ground amongst the action, by guiding them through some rugby drills and routines with the assistance of Foundation staff."

The RNZFB says this is a wonderful opportunity to involve our local blind and vision-impaired youth in a unique sporting experience and help raise the profile of blindness within the community.

Ends

Photo opportunity – Media are invited to attend Thursday's activity from midday until 12:15pm at Westpac Stadium. In addition to the children and players (including Joe McDonnell, Ross Filipo and Ben Herring) a guide dog puppy will also be present.

Please contact Greg Palmer for further details.

Greg Palmer
Media and PR Manager
Wellington Rugby Ltd
Phone: (04) 380 2217
Mobile: 021 650 532