Hornby Panthers to host Penrith Panthers   20 Apr 2016

Penrith Panthers vs NZ Warriors
AMI Stadium, Christchurch, May 14

Media release
April 20, 2016

Hornby Panthers to host Penrith Panthers

The Penrith Panthers will meet their Christchurch namesakes when the Hornby Panthers host the NRL superstars for a special coaching clinic for local rugby league juniors.

Leslie Park has been selected as the venue where the Panthers will get up close with around 200 players from all junior clubs across Canterbury on May 11, three days before Penrith takes the field against the New Zealand Warriors at AMI Stadium.

The coaching clinic is one key element of Penrith’s extensive community engagement in Christchurch as part of their four-year commitment to the city.

Hornby Panthers President Brent Tomlinson says the club, and especially the juniors, can hardly contain their excitement about rubbing shoulders with the famous NRL stars from Sydney.

Event organiser Justin Wallace says that Hornby was an obvious choice for Penrith’s first community engagement, immediately after arriving from the airport.

“Hornby is one of Christchurch’s most successful clubs and of course the Panthers wanted to meet the other Panthers,” said Wallace, adding that the proximity to the airport was another bonus.

The Penrith Panthers have the largest junior division in rugby league in the world with over 9500 junior members and is famous for their successful coaching programmes.

The Hornby club president says his players and coaches are looking forward to picking up some tips from one of the best teams in Australia.

“We don’t often get the chance to listen and learn from these famous professionals, so I am sure the kids and their parents will be queuing up,” says Mr Tomlinson.

The anticipation reached fever pitch this week when the tiny Panthers of the Hornby Nursery Black team of four and five-year-olds were informed that they are one of the junior teams drawn out to play the curtain-raiser ahead of their NRL stars.

The event organisers have been working closely with Canterbury Rugby League to get as many rugby league clubs as possible involved in the Penrith community clinics.

Steve Martin, general manager Southern Zone, says that the match has created a host of terrific opportunities for the rugby league community far beyond the game at AMI Stadium.

“That match will enable rugby league fans to be part of the best rugby league competition in the world, but the Panthers and the Warriors going in the community is just as important to us. Hundreds of children who won’t be able to go the match now get the opportunity to meet these NRL stars,” says Mr Martin.

Mr Wallace says the Hornby coaching clinic will be the start of a memorable week for rugby league in Christchurch.

“The teams will bring the NRL One Community programme to around 30 schools and will be part of a gala dinner on May 12 with a long list of other sporting celebrities.

“There will be other opportunities to meet and greet the players, while the Christchurch City Council and the Christchurch International Airport will also play a big part to turn the city into a Carnival of Rugby League that week.”

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