Game on at Growers

FRANKLIN COUNTY NEWS

WE'RE ON: Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union CEO Nick Sheppard and commercial manager Bevan Brown toast the confirmation that Growers Stadium will host 2008 Air New Zealand Cup games.

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It seems like it took forever, but the Steelers are officially coming home.

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union now have the piece of paper in their hands that confirms Growers Stadium in Pukekohe will host Air New Zealand Cup day games in 2008.

After offering preliminary approval, the New Zealand Rugby Union offered final confirmation in a letter today for the three Steelers day games to be held at Growers, rather than Mt Smart Stadium.

``It's absolutely fantastic  an amazing feeling,'' says CMRFU CEO Nick Sheppard.

``I guess a wonderful acknowledgment of so much work by so many fantastic people.''

Businesses, union staff, board members, supporters and players all need to be thanked, he says.
``It hasn't been easy, near on 10 months from the end of the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup.''

In the interim period the CMRFU have upgraded player facilities of both the home and visitors changing rooms, and redeveloped the famous entry/exit tunnel.

New coaches' boxes have been built at the top of the grandstand, as has a media centre  all wired for phone and computer communications.

Work is being completed on the massive broadcasting platform for SKY TV.

The biggest task was the re-sown and developed field  with the Franklin District Council fronting $120,000 to bring the surface up to Air New Zealand Cup standard.

``Now is our chance to show the NZRU and New Zealand rugby public how important having us in the premier competition is,'' Sheppard says.

The NZRU review discussion document on the Air New Zealand Cup released in late June suggests a reduction from 14 teams to 11 or 12  a cut likely to occur in September.

``To insure we continue the development and popularity of rugby and our region, we just have to be in that premier division,'' Sheppard says.

As well as stars moving on if the Steelers have to leave the top level  the players the union are banking their  future on would also soon depart.

``Any player that shows that type of talent at a young age will be whipped away to a premier union,'' says Sheppard.

``After four years of fighting to keep these young guys  it would be a heartbreak to see them go.''

Now the 2008 calender is set, the union are preparing promotional days for home games, working with the Pukekohe Business Association to have market days on the mornings of the matches.

Pak `N Save staff will wear Steelers jumpers, the union have bought 12,000 McDonald's mat trays advertising games and Steeler player appearances at clubs and schools will ramp up as part of the Days of Steel campaign.

The Steelers' first clash at Growers Stadium is the pre-season game against Tasman on July 20, and then it's the big one against Auckland on August 3.

- © Fairfax NZ News