The Gallagher Chiefs get out and about in Taranaki community

Today we’ve been busy getting out and about in the beautiful Taranaki ahead of our mid-season hit out against the Hurricanes at the TSB Hub in Hawera tomorrow.

The day started bright and early with Tim, Tiaan and Lachlan venturing out to More FM to be interviewed live on air. It was great to be in the studio and Tiaan even managed to win the Taranaki quiz!

We then travelled to Inglewood where the players had the pleasure of leading a skills session with 100 keen kids, organized by our friends First Windows & Doors. We really enjoyed leading the kids in different drills and seeing so much talent on show. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun and cherished getting a selfie and autograph at the end of the event.

For Manaakitanga, we split into groups and headed to four primary schools around New Plymouth to visit the students and play some rugby with them. We visited Fitzroy Primary, St John Bosco, Merrilands School and Central School. The enthusiasm of the students was contagious and we were buzzing to play touch rugby with the kids, give them some tips and answer some tough questions in assembly! Central School even had their strongest kids attempt to tackle us in front of their class.

To conclude the day, we had a captain’s run at Yarrow Stadium where we finished our preparation ahead of tomorrow’s big game. It was nice to meet fans after and get their best wishes before our clash against the Hurricanes.

Tomorrow we take on the Hurricanes at the TSB Hub in Hawera. Entry is free and we will have a gold coin collection, raising funds toward Sport Taranaki and their TSSSA Taranaki Youth Forum, which is a cause nominated by Craig Norgate’s widow Jane Norgagte.

As an organisation, we are honoured to be commemorating Craig Norgate and supporting an organisation so fitting for what he stood for. Bring a gold coin this Thursday to support a great cause in the Taranaki community.