Rugby League Stamps its Mark on a Hundred Years

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One hundred years of New Zealand rugby league is being celebrated with the latest release of New Zealand Post’s centenary stamps.

A 50c stamp featuring an image of New Zealand’s first rugby league team, the ‘All Golds’ who toured Australia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), England and Wales in 1907-08 alongside an image of the team’s inaugural captain, Hercules Richard “Bumper” Wright. Impressively the All Golds won their inaugural test series against Great Britain and Australia.

A $2.00 stamp also takes a nostalgic look at rugby league with an image based on the 1951 team.

New Zealand Rugby League acting chairman Andrew Chalmers says the stamps honour the players who have, over the last 100 years, represented their country in this code.

“During that time rugby league has given so many people and so many communities a great deal of pleasure and pride so it’s fantastic that New Zealand Post recognises the code’s enduring popularity.”

Three other respected and loved organisations the Plunket Society, the Home of Compassion and World Scouting are also being honoured on stamps as part of the centenary issue.

New Zealand Post Stamps general manager Ivor Masters says all these groups have played an important role in the lives of many New Zealanders.

“Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have been touched by these organisations in the last 100 years. I think the stamps will be popular reminders of their significance to this country’s sporting and social development.”

Stamps 50c x four - The first New Zealand rugby league team – the All Golds - Sister Suzanne Aubert and a classroom scene at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay. 100 years ago - New Zealand Scouting pioneer, Lt Col David Cossgrove and a Scouting scene 100 years ago - Plunket Founder Dr Frederic Truby King and a Plunket nurse caring for a baby

$1.00 - Plunket as it is today

$1.50 The good works of the Home of Compassion today

$2.00 - The New Zealand rugby league team - the Kiwis in action in 1951 - A modern scouting scene

The products are also available as first day cover sheets and can be purchased from PostShops, Real Aotearoa stores in Auckland and Christchurch, selected retailers, the Wanganui Stamps Centre and the stamps website, www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps from April 24.

ENDS

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