WHOLE SCHOOL: The rest of Te Wharekura o Ruatoki join those who participated in the visit with four players from New Zealand women’s sevens squad. D4197-221
WITH a population of a little more than 600, Ruatoki isn’t described as a city very often. But the Eastern Bay settlement was included in the New Zealand Women’s Sevens squad seven cities in seven days tour.
Six members from the team, including two from the team that won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics last month, visited Te Wharekura o Ruatoki last Thursday.
The players were Michaela Blyde, Terina Te Tamaki and Theresa Fitzpatrick, along with Justine Lavea and Stacey Waaka.
The visit was aimed at inspiring the next generation of sevens players and 55 girls from Te Wharekura o Ruatoki, Te Kura o Tawera, Whakatane Intermediate, Whakatane High School and Opotiki College also participated in the activities.
Starting with a pohiri to welcome the players and other participating students to the school, the day also involved a video presentation, a question and answer session and an opportunity to gain signatures and photos with the players.
Te Wharekura o Ruatoki senior management support officer Hinekura Riini said they were included in the tour after they put in a bid to host a visit by the team, which had been encouraged by Eastern Bay rugby regional manager Mark Seymour.
“We would like to make a special thank you from our kura (school) to Mark Seymour, Hayley Kerrison and Exia Edwards, from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, for allowing us the opportunity to host such an awesome occasion. And thank you to our New Zealand sevens girls for a beautiful visit.”
