Big international field for Masters Rugby League Tournament

Big international field for Masters Rugby League Tournament in support of Blue September

Players are flocking in from overseas for the annual Masters of Rugby League New Zealand International Tournament 2015 being held 12-18 September at the Manurewa Sports Complex, Mountfort Park.

Six teams from Australia, two teams from the Cook Islands and even a couple of players from the UK are flying in to join a total of 30 NZ teams to compete by day and party by night. All funds raised during the tournament go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand as part of its Blue September campaign.

A total of 750 players and officials are taking part in the games. The week-long tournament kicks off with an opening parade on Saturday 12 September before the first games are played. A social function will be held that night at the Ellerslie Event Centre, 80 Ascot Avenue, Auckland.

Games will be played on Saturday 12, Monday 14, Wednesday 16 and Friday 18 September at the Manurewa Sports Complex in Mountfort Park featuring the following age groups:

• age 35 – 39 (White shorts)

• age 40 – 49 (Black shorts)

• age 50 – 59 (Red shorts)

• age 60+ using tags (Gold shorts)

The final day of the tournament will be on Friday 18 September with the big game between old rivals, Masters of Rugby League New Zealand vs. Australia at Mt Smart Stadium (No1 field at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm).

All refs and players uniforms have a blue ribbon on them in support of Blue September, the annual Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ awareness and fundraising campaign.

Supporters are welcome to join them as they party by night at the Ellerslie Event Centre in support of Blue September, the annual awareness and fundraising campaign for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.

1 in 10 New Zealand men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Last year approximately 600 Kiwi men died from prostate cancer – that’s roughly the same number as women who died from breast cancer.

On the Saturday, Wednesday and Friday night of the Tournament social functions will be held at the Ellerslie Event Centre, from 6pm to 1am with a $20 buffet:

•Saturday 12 Sept - Prostate Cancer Foundation charity auction, music till midnight

•Wednesday 16 Sept - Announcement of Australian vs. New Zealand representative teams, Prostate Cancer Foundation charity auction, music till midnight.

•Friday 18 Sept - Farewell and prizegiving, Prostate Cancer Foundation charity auction, music till midnight.

During the tournament Blue September’s mascot – the Blue Streak, who is famous for never speaking only streaking, will be making appearances and collection boxes will be passed around during the games so that spectators can donate in support of Blue September.

All funds raised from Blue September go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, a registered charity which receives no government funding and relies heavily on volunteer support. All funds raised in New Zealand stay in New Zealand. Donations are used to provide support via the 0800 4 PROSTATE helpline, educate the public about prostate and testicular cancer, and fund medical research into prostate and testicular cancer.www.prostate.org.nz

ENDS

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