The Campbelltown Harlequins kick of their season in the 2015 Illawarra rugby competition with a home match against Tech-Waratahs this Saturday, April 11.
But the first grade squad have one eye on a really special match to be played on Anzac Day, Saturday, April 25.
The Campbeltown Harlequin committee in association with the Taki Toa Shield Committee have announced the Centenary of Anzac rugby union test match, when the Campbelltown Harlequins will play a representative side made up of players from teams which competed in the recent Taki Toa Shield.
The Taki Toa tournament is an annual, invitation only, daylong Kiwi cultural festival which includes a netball tournament, food stalls, haka challenge and the event’s main attraction – the Taki Toa rugby tournament.
It has been agreed by both sides that the Anzac Day match will be played at the home of the Harlequins, Campbelltown Showground in King Street.
“A carved Taonga shield has been commissioned for this inaugural event and it is hoped that it will be the centrepiece for an annual Anzac challenge
match between the Harlequins and a Taki toa representative team,’’ say the organisers of the test match.
The pre game ceremonies on Saturday, April 25, Anzac Day, will commence at 11.20am with a traditional welcome to country.
♦ The full day program is:
10am gates open;
11.15am welcome to country, tribute to indigenous soldiers;
11.30am arrival and welcome (Powhiri) match ball and shield;
11.40am teams introduced, centenary of Anzac address;
11.45am Last Post, minute’s silence reveille;
11.50am ode;
11.55am national anthems;
12.05pm kick off;
12.35pm Half time entertainment;
1.30pm After match function.
