NZ U-20 Team Begins World Cup Journey at Turangawaewae

NZ U-20 Team Begins World Cup Journey at Turangawaewae

15 MAY 2015

New Zealand’s U-20 men’s football team will begin its pursuit of World Cup success this weekend with a powhiri at Turangawaewae Marae.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 kicks off on 30 May, and as host nation New Zealand has received automatic qualification to compete. Hamilton is one of seven host cities, with eight matches to be played over five match days, and the city’s involvement in the tournament has been made possible through a regional collaboration involving Hamilton City Council and the H15 group, which includes Waikato District Council and Waipa District Council.

Councillor Rob Pascoe, Hamilton City Council’s World Cups Ambassador says the powhiri at Turangawaewae brings together the region’s partners and to have Waikato-Tainui endorsement and involvement in pre-tournament activity is welcomed and appreciated.

“Turangawaewae is a sacred and special place, and it’s significant to see the New Zealand U-20 football team following in the steps of other national sporting sides – including the All Blacks – in receiving this formal welcome,” Cr Pascoe says.

Turangawaewae Trust Board Chairman Pokaia Nepia says New Zealand is the host nation, so it's fantastic that we can give our squad a true Marae experience to boost their build up before the U20 World Cup starts.

"We want them to feel the mana here and understand their part in our cultural uniqueness and use their mana on the pitch to succeed to the top of this World Cup."

NZ Football High Performance Director Fred de Jong says: “'The team are honoured to have been invited to Turangawaewae to learn more about Maori culture and the experience will help bring the team together before the tournament kicks off.”

Sunday’s event begins at 12pm and is expected to run through until shortly after 5pm. During the event the New Zealand U-20 team will be given an introductory lesson on the correct performance of haka and other guidance on relevant tikanga Maori.

Media planning to attend are asked to liaise with Moko Templeton, whose details are below.

ABOUT THE FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP 2015 NEW ZEALAND

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is the global football body’s second largest tournament, and is played every two years. The 2015 edition is the first time it has been held in New Zealand, with games to be played in seven host cities, including Hamilton.

The Hamilton matches are:

31 May – Qatar vs Colombia (1pm), Portugal vs Senegal (4pm)
3 June – Qatar vs Portugal (4pm), Senegal vs Colombia (7pm)
6 June – Senegal vs Qatar (1pm), Mali vs Uruguay (4pm)
11 June – Round of 16
14 June – Quarter-Final

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.fifa.com/u20worldcup

Information on Hamilton’s involvement in the tournament can be found at www.hamilton.govt.nz/worldcup

ENDS

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