Sevens Tournament Steps Up for Children's Aid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 31 JANUARY 2007

Sevens Tournament Steps Up for Children's Aid Agency

Save the Children is the official charity of the 2007 NZI Sevens, with fans encouraged to support children in need – while having fun.

The charity will be involved in a number of activities at the tournament and in the days leading up to the NZI Sevens.

“We’re happy have such a worthy and well-established charity on board, especially with Save the Children having a positive presence in many of the participating countries,” NZI Sevens CEO Steve Dunbar said.

Collectors will be out at the NZI Sevens Parade in downtown Wellington tomorrow and at the stadium on Saturday and fans who support the charity will also get the chance to win some fantastic prizes, including tickets to next year’s tournament and a signed jersey from the New Zealand Sevens team.

Sevens fans will also be able to text donations to the charity during the tournament. A young rugby player, Sam Wright, from Wellington’s Poneke Rugby Club will also run the match ball onto the field, on behalf of Save The Children, for the first quarterfinal on Saturday.

Save The Children is also the official charity of the All Blacks and the New Zealand Rugby Union – and the charity’s logo will also be on the shorts of the New Zealand Sevens team during the Wellington tournament.

"Being the official charity is great news for children. Save the Children works in over half the countries that are attending the tournament either raising money and awareness about supporting children in need or running projects to help children in countries like Papua New Guinea and Kenya," John Bowis, Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand said.

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said the team was delighted to be associated with Save The Children.

“It’s a first for the Sevens team having the Save The Children logo on the team shorts. Save The Children is doing a fantastic job around the world and on behalf of the team we encourage all fans to donate generously throughout the tournament,” Mr Tietjens said.

John Bowis said Save The Children was also working with Samoan organisation Mapusaga O Aiga (Family Refuge) to help Samoan children, and the Samoan Sevens team today helped choose the junior player Sam Wright, to run the ball out onto the field on Saturday.

Thanks to the support of 2007 NZI Sevens sponsors, Save the Children has some excellent prizes to offer including tickets to next year's NZI Sevens tournament and a signed jersey from the NZ Sevens team. Entry forms can be found in the programme on p30 or with Save the Children collectors at the parade and at the stadium on Saturday.

--

FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT SAVE THE CHILDREN

1. Be in to win 2 tickets to next year’s Sevens
See the entry form on page 30 of the Sevens Programme.
Or visit the information booth for details or visit ww.savethechildren.org.nz to enter.

2. Charity Auction
Bid for next year's NZI Sevens tickets, a signed NZ Sevens jersey and more! See the information booth for details or visit www.savethechildren.org.nz

3. Support Save the Children
$3 donation – text “Donate” to 303 (Telecom only)
$25 automatic donation – phone 0900 167 168
Credit card donations – phone 0800 167 168.

© Scoop Media