League 4 Life Supports Player's Recovery

League 4 Life Supports Player's Recovery

Auckland, New Zealand September 22, 2011 - –

Tino Pio was working as a storeman/forklift driver, playing league for the Marist Saints Rugby League club in Mt Albert and living quietly with his partner Elizabeth when their lives were changed forever.

One evening at league training, Tino was tackled and broke a bone in his lower leg. While in hospital there were complications caused by compartment syndrome, and in the process of having these treated Tino contracted serious bacterial infections. Treatment for the infections wasn’t successful and became life threatening; as a result his leg had to be amputated.

The League 4 Life Foundation was initially contacted by Gordon Gibbons of Auckland Rugby League with a request for support for this passionate league player and Kiwis fans. The NZRL provided Tino with a signed Kiwis Jersey to let him know the game was thinking about him at such a tough time.

Dain Guttenbeil, NZRL Community Programmes Manager and Lance Hohaia, Kiwi and League 4 Life Trustee later visited Tino at home to see how the League 4 Life Foundation might be able to help him further.

Said Guttenbeil, “We wanted to do something that was meaningful, that would help Tino in his rehab and when we heard he’s a massive Kiwis Fan, taking a current Kiwi along to meet him seemed the best thing to do. It was fantastic to see the look on Tino’s face when he saw Lance walk into his home.”

The League 4 Life Foundation continued to keep in contact with Tino and Elizabeth as they worked to put their lives back together. Unfortunately Elizabeth’s family had recently moved to Rarotonga, leaving Tino and Elizabeth without close family support.

Tino was almost completely immobile for seven months and as a consequence he put on a lot of weight, which for someone who has played league all his life was both frustrating and depressing. To address this, the Foundation arranged for a three month gym membership with the YMCA, and Tino was given a Personal Trainer.

Guttenbeil continues, “Getting Tino back into the gym with a bit of motivation was a great way to help him achieve a return to fitness and confidence. We also set him a goal; if he could lose some weight then we (the L4L Foundation) would take him and his partner Elizabeth to Rarotonga to watch the Kiwis play.

“We’re also really aware of how difficult it’s been for Elizabeth, she has nursed him the whole time and it’s great that by taking her to Rarotonga we can also reunite her with her family.”

Tino and Elizabeth will be VIP guests at the Kiwis game in the Cook Islands (Oct 6) and will get to meet the Kiwis before kickoff.

Said Tino, “I want to say thanks heaps for what you and rugby league have done for me, it’s much appreciated and I thank you so much for letting us come along to support the boys in Rarotonga.”

The League 4 Life Foundation would like to thank the YMCA for their donation of the gym membership and Flight Centre for their continued support of the League 4 Life Foundation.

To make a donation or become a member or sponsor of the League 4 Life Foundation please visit the website www.league4life.co.nz.

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