|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The most important day of the season for the Howick Hornets Rugby Club is only hours away from kicking off.
The Howick Hornets’ Club Day for 2025 “has much to get excited about, and you are all invited”, says club spokesman Josh Garry, extending a welcome to anyone in the east Auckland community who wants to attend this Saturday, July 12.
“Club Day 2024 was one of the greatest days in Hornets history and the stage is set to go one better in 2025,” Garry says, of the activities which are at the club’s Paparoa Park home ground.
“By design, the day is a celebration of everything the Hornets are about – the game, the people, and of course the wonderful community of Howick that the club is extremely proud to have represented for the past 64 years and counting.
“This year is made extra special with the Hornets hosting our brothers and sisters from the Pakuranga Jaguars across multiple grades, making this a true community festival.
“Due to both clubs competing in separate premier grades for more than a decade, this match up – famously touted as The Battle of the Highway – hasn’t taken place in competition for many moons, leaving no doubt that the entertainment levels will be through the roof.”
Garry says Howick Hornets Club Day starts with “the future stars of the game from 9am, with the phenomenal junior grades getting the opportunity to run out of the tunnel onto the hallowed turf of Paparoa Park, cheered on by what is expected to be hundreds of fans”.
“Following on from the youngsters will be the mighty masters’ grade (over 35s) at around 11am, before the first of huge two premier games scheduled for 12.45pm and 2.30pm.”
Garry says as well as the non-stop on-field matches, there will be food stalls, raffles, prizes, and a “possible special guest appearance by a very famous face”.
“This day takes a village to put together and as we all know, there is none greater in the land than Howick Village.
“To everyone that has worked so hard to make this day possible, to the many people and companies that have donated food and prizes, and to the masses that plan to be there to support on the day, the Howick Hornets Rugby League Club thanks you unreservedly.”
Garry says all proceeds from the day will go towards the Hornets’ junior club, “helping ensure the kids are provided with the kind of experiences and memories from sport that every child deserves”.
“Like any major event in Howick, parking will be at a premium, so please do so respectfully, legally, and plan accordingly – carpool, walk, ride or allow time to walk a short distance from one of the many on-street spaces that surrounds Paparoa Park.
“The Cockle Bay shops’ car park will be monitored and is reserved for their customers only. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
“And, of course, go the mighty Howick Hornets!”
