Magpies NPC players and staff from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union connected with their community on Tuesday during a range of jobs helping out those who supported them on the field. Photo / Supplied
Magpies NPC players and staff from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union connected with their community on Tuesday during a range of jobs helping out those who supported them on the field. Photo / Supplied
But, just days out from the final match of the round-robin phase of the NPC, it was created by putting in some hard yards for the community that supports them, and not on the training ground.
The Brock James-coached team and other Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union (HBRFU) staff broke up into groups on Tuesday and headed to various parts of Hawke’s Bay for the McCain Magpies Big Give.
The recipients – including the Omakere Hall in Waipawa – were chosen after the union called on nominations from the public in August.
HBRFU union commercial manager Dan Somerville said it was an initiative – created when McCain Foods came onboard as a major sponsor in 2024 – which was a great way to repay the rugby-loving region who had the Magpies’ back.
“It is very important because the community are the ones that turn out week after week to cheer the boys on,” he said.
“I would like to think that it is a relationship where the boys can give back to those that support them, the community that has helped raise these guys who have come through club rugby and the like.
Hawke's Bay Magpies NPC players and coaches, and staff from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union, got their hands dirty during the community day. Photo / Supplied
“There’s a lot of painting, planting trees, landscaping, digging up drains. . . . jobs like that, a lot of labour-intensive stuff.
“It certainly won’t hurt the boys to get on the end of the shovel at the start of a week and help out.”
McCain Foods – who have their local plant in Omahu Rd, Twyford – have been operating in New Zealand for 30 years.
Magpies head coach Brock James joined his players and Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union stuff in the community event. Photo / NZME
When announcing the sponsorship with HBRFU, the company said it was a “family business we’re committed to making a positive difference in the community”.
“Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union plays an important role in the community and in inspiring the next generation of sporting heroes and community leaders. It’s a great organisation for us to be partnering with and we’re excited about the opportunities partnerships like these have for Hawke’s Bay.”
Hawke's Bay Magpies NPC players and coaches, and staff from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union, put in the hard yards on Tuesday during the McCain Magpies Big Give. Photo / Supplied
Somerville said the community initiative was a source of pride for various reasons.
It was good to help the community that supports the Magpies so loyally.
He added it was very much a “player-driven” initiative.
The Hawke's Bay Magpies have had staunch support from the region's sports fans both before, during and after their latest Ranfurly Shield tenure. Photo / Photosport
Among locations the players and staff were deployed to were projects in Waipawa, Clive, Esk Valley and Haumoana.
“The players have been part of the selection process for the groups, schools and clubs that have been selected,” he said.
“The boys were a part of that and have been in comms with the schools, clubs and Omakere Hall about what they need to do and how they will do it. It is cool to get the players involved and support the community that supports them.
“It’s good to support the community who has got behind them and give a little back to where a lot of them have grown up.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
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