The Women’s Rugby World Cup will be taking place (September 18 – October 16, 2021). Thunder Rugby will be hosted by Clay Panga (Thunder coach and Canadian international) in Panguru, north of Auckland, in his homelands of New Zealand. Clay offers: “not only will Thunder be immersed in Rugby culture, we will also be immersed in the Maori culture. The areas we hope to reside while on tour are still fairly untouched and the people we will engage are very connected to their tribe, history and culture.”
We will be looking at sending one Indigenous boys team and one Indigenous girls team in the birth years of 2003 – 2005 (current grade 10-12). We will be playing 7s rugby primarily and as such, fitness is an essential component. For successful applicants, we will have regional and eventually team training camps and sessions. Coach Phil Mack will monitor your fitness through a virtual fitness program.
The tour will be focused in the area between Auckland and the North of Whangerei & Panguru, all on the North Island, New Zealand. Whereas we would like to bring all, for now, the team will be invitational. Complete the form below to indicate your interest in joining the tour.
If the International COVID situation in Canada and New Zealand is under control AND the respective governing bodies give us the green light by May 1, 2021, then the tour planning will proceed BUT if the situation is not conducive to travel by then, we will abort the tour and refund the tour deposits.
Possible plan:
• Wednesday September 15: depart Vancouver 7:10 pm – arrive Auckland Friday September 17 11:55 am, Stay 1 night Auckland
• Saturday September 18th: Canada – Asia 1, Whangerei, stay 1 night Whangerei
• Sunday – Thursday, 4 nights Panguru, NZ
• Thursday September 23: travel to Auckland, Canada – USA, Auckland, stay 1 night Auckland
• Friday – Tuesday, Panguru, NZ, 4 nights
• Tuesday September 28th – Auckland, Canada – Europe1, stay Auckland 3 nights
• Friday October 1 – Auckland – Vancouver 9:25 pm, arrive Vancouver Saturday October 2, 9:35, stay Vancouver 1 night
Numwayut (We are all one)
Kwan’ Qwa’ La a (Thunder)
John Lyall
Thunder Rugby
250-217-9031
jlyall@thunderrugby.ca
Notes
1. Tour fee: $1500 (plus flight): includes team wear, internal travel, accommodations, RWC tickets, communal food. (Spending money required)
2. May 1: Deadline / decision on whether trip proceeds. FULL REFUND IF DECISION A NO GO!
3. Passport & insurance required
4. Raffle: we will be hosting Thunder raffle (s) to assist with costs. 80% sales to personal trip fees / 20% to team.
