The entire team and staff of the Bay of Plenty Steamers visited Rotorua Museum today to help increase their cultural and social awareness during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Maori Language Week).
Thirty three players and eight management staff received special guided tours and enjoyed the two cinema experiences; Rotorua Stories Cinema about the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 and Ake!Ake! - the 28th Maori Battalion documentary.
Rotorua Museum Volunteer Guide Coordinator Julie Parsons said "the players were very interested in the story of Te Arawa and paid their respects to soldiers lost in World Wars One and Two".
Following the tour the Steamers gathered in the Museum mezzanine to have their team jerseys blessed by local Reverend Bob Schuster, who wished them luck for the upcoming season.
Rotorua Museum staff supported the team in singing a waiata, which they have been performing daily for Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.
