Taniwha Shield a chance to support youngsters

The Whangarei community is being asked to get behind future Northland players who will take to Kensington Park next week as part of the Taniwha Shield.

With the tournament kicking off on Tuesday, it is the first opportunity for primary school and intermediate students to represent their sub-unions.

Alanna Clare, of the Whangarei Junior Rugby Board, said the tournament was normally where a number of future Taniwha players began their representative career.

"It's the first time [a young rugby player] has that feeling of representing where you're from," Clare said.

"Even though it's Northland-wide [rather than regional representation], it's more where you originate.

"I think it give the children more passion and mana.

"It's like with the older guys and what they say about putting on the jersey where you represent.

"They say it's an amazing feeling playing for where you're from.

"The Taniwha Shield is really something for the kids look forward to, and if they're passionate about their rugby it's prestigious," Clare said.

She urged Whangarei to get behind tomorrow's Taniwhas as they witnessed the results of the youngsters' hard yards in training.

"The boys have gone through some really hard training and process to get to where they are so it's about supporting them where they are."

The Taniwha Shield will kick off with a classic clash between two Whangarei sides in the Bears and the Grizzlies, with both sides feeling unlucky to meet each other first up.

"They're all pretty gutted because they're playing off against each other, but that's the nature of draws." Tane the Taniwha and Northland's ITM Cup squad will be at Kensington Park on Tuesday supporting the teams.